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Environmental sanitation and water supply during floods in Ecuador (1982–1983) *
Author(s) -
Hederra Raimundo
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7717.1987.tb00653.x
Subject(s) - sanitation , citation , library science , engineering , history , computer science , environmental engineering
Natural disasters in the countries of the Third World cause more serious damages than in the industrialized 'countries. The loss of lives, economic losses, and events of this kind interfere significantly with the development process. Floods are the most frequent kind of disaster (40% of the total), followed by tropical hurricanes (20%). earthquakes (15%), and droughts (15%) (Burton et a!., 1978). In Ecuador, the floods caused by the phenomenon of El Nino at the end of 1982 and during the first months of 1983 were very extensive. They caused great losses and are also the most frequent natural disaster to have occurred in the last forty years (Evaluation Technologies, 1983). Consequently, studies of this kind of disaster from different points of view are justified, since floods will probably recur for a long time to come. In addition to establishing a frame of reference on natural disasters in the country, the characteristics of the phenomenon of El Nirio. its consequence, and the damage produced, we are particularly concerned with analyzing the relation between the sanitation conditions observed and their possible effects on health. Experiences in disaster sanitation administration in Ecuador should also be recorded, since they may serve as a basis for certain phases of preventive planning for dealing with disasters. THE DISASTERS IN ECUADOR AND THE FLOODS OF 1982—1983