ABSTRACT
Natural disasters and conflicts have always occupied people's nightmares and lived experiences. In our times, natural disasters appear to be on the increase. Although there are fewer conflicts than in previous decades, conflicts tend to be prolonged and often recur within years of achieving peace. Some of the plagues of yesteryears have virtually disappeared or have become more manageable, but other crises have become more intense. Modern communications bring crises to everybody's home and they continue to be very much part of everybody's mindsets.
