This eight-chapter publication considers the man-made and natural causes of natural disasters. Following an introduction, Chapter 1 outlines the increase in natural disasters in the past decade and discusses the ratio of disasters from one continent to another. Chapter 2 discusses man-made factors such as deforestation and overused soil in causing drought. The focus is on the effects of drought in the Third World. Chapter 3 outlines the causes of floods and considers the plight of poor people who are generally relegated to the most flood-prone land. Tropical cyclones and winds are treated in Chapter 4, as are the repercussions of these events in areas without adequate communication systems. Effects of earthquakes, tidal waves, and volcanoes are the subjects of Chapters 5 and 6. The pros and cons of relief efforts, originating predominantly in Northern hemisphere countries and directed toward Southern countries is discussed in Chapter 7. The final chapter outlines directions that disaster prevention planning might take. An appendix and list of further readings is provided. (LP)