Social Impacts of Disasters

Natural disasters have far-fetched effects on social and economic parameters such as the labor market, migration, women's vulnerability, and crime. Financial and physical losses due to disasters alter labor market decisions, migration patterns, and women's bargaining both within and outside the households. Some studies show that disasters adversely affect labor market outcomes in the short run by reducing job opportunities, increasing working hours, and reducing wages. In the long run, however, the effects may be positive with the post-disaster reconstruction work . Timely government assistance in relief measures and investment in infrastructure, coupled with funds from the private sector, are important factors in overcoming the negative effects of natural disasters on the labor market.  Policies that address disaster-induced loss of employment and provision of credit would cater to various dimensions of socioeconomic issues, since economic vulnerability is an important channel of impact to social vulnerabilities, especially for the poor, women and children.