A disaster is a sudden, catastrophic event that causes significant disruption, damage, or destruction to life, property, and the environment. Disasters can arise from natural events, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, or from human-made incidents, such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, and nuclear accidents. They often lead to widespread humanitarian crises, requiring emergency response and long-term recovery efforts. Disasters can vary greatly in scale and impact, affecting communities, regions, or entire nations, and they typically result in loss of life, economic hardship, and social dislocation. The management of disasters involves preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery strategies to minimize their effects and aid affected populations.