DISASTER HISTORY Significant Data on Major Disasters Worldwide, 1900 -Present

The report is prepared for the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, Agency for International Development, Washington, D.C. The report begins with a detailed account of disasters in Afghanistan, starting with an earthquake in 1964 that resulted in 2,000 deaths. The report also documents a mine explosion in 1969 that killed 400 people and a drought in 1972 that affected 120,000 people. Other significant events in Afghanistan include a flood in 1977 that displaced 250,000 people and a cyclone in 1978 that caused 430,000 casualties. In Africa, the report highlights several significant disasters, including a drought in 1972 that affected 1.2 million people, a cyclone in 1978 that caused 430,000 casualties, and an insect infestation in 1978 that affected the Horn of Africa. The report also documents a displaced persons crisis in 1980 that affected 10 million people across six countries. In Albania, the report documents several significant earthquakes, including one in 1969 that killed 35 people and another in 1979 that killed 2,633 people. The report also documents a flood in 1979 that displaced 30,000 people. In Angola, the report documents a civil strife in 1981 that displaced 661,000 people. The report also documents a displaced persons crisis in 1984 that affected 971,000 people. In Antigua, the report documents a hurricane in 1966 that caused significant damage. The report also documents a flood in 1983 that displaced 6,500 people. In Argentina, the report documents several significant earthquakes, including one in 1966 that killed 5,000 people. The report also documents a flood in 1966 that displaced 62 people. The report uses a disaster magnitude scale developed by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, which ranks events according to the sum of weighted points assigned for the number of deaths, number of victims, and monetary damage. Typically, serious events have totalled 11-15 points and major events 16-24 points. The report provides a comprehensive overview of disasters worldwide, highlighting the impact of these events on communities and the need for disaster preparedness and response.