This section of the PPRD South web Portal makes available information resources related to the various risks to which the Mediterranean region is exposed.

Drought

The naturally occurring phenomenon that exists when precipitation has been significantly below normal recorded levels, causing serious hydrological imbalances that adversely affect land resource production systems. UNCCD.

Earthquake

Violent shaking of the ground produced by deep seismic waves, generated by a sudden decrease or release in a volume of rock. EEA.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the incidence rate of a disease to a value above normal, affecting large numbers of people and spread over a wide area. MGH.

Flood

An unusual accumulation of water above the ground caused by high tide, heavy rain, melting snow or rapid runoff from paved areas. EEA.

Heat Wave

A period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather. Typically a heat wave lasts two or more days. NOAA.

Insect Infestation

Spreading or swarming in of various kinds of insects over or in a troublesome manner. Proliferation of insects or animal pests affecting communities, agriculture, cattle or stored perishable goods; for example locusts. GLIDE.

Land Slide

Movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. Land slides can be initiated by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, changes in groundwater, disturbance and change of a slope by man-made construction activities, or any combination of these factors. USGS.

Storm

An atmospheric disturbance involving perturbations of the prevailing pressure and wind fields on scales ranging from tornadoes to extratropical cyclones; also the associated weather and the like. EEA.

Technical Disaster

Technological accidents of an industrial nature comprise: chemical spill/leak, explosions, collapses, gas leaks, etc. It is also used to describe technological transport accidents involving mechanized modes of transport. CRED

A technological hazard originates from technological or industrial conditions, including accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or specific human activities, that may cause loss of life, injury, illness or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. UNISDR

Tsunami

Waves generated by submarine earth movements, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or landslides. CRED.

Volcano

Vents in the surface of the Earth through which magma and associated gases erupt; also, the forms of structures, usually conical, that are produced by the erupted material. USGS.

Wild Fire

Uncontrolled burning fire, usually in wild lands, which can cause damage to forestry, agriculture, infrastructure and buildings. IFRC.