Catastrophes as social phenomena are analyzed from a sociological point of view as events in which the collective demonstrates not only the way the social fabric is constituted, but also how solidarity, reciprocity, and collaboration between societies can arise or be hindered.
Everyone knows it: what has happened in Acapulco is a tragedy. However, despite being a natural disaster, it seems to be the climax of a series of social problems that already existed in the port. Within the sociological field, when tragedies such as natural disasters push a community into situations of hunger, vulnerability in every sense, and life-or-death circumstances, great care is taken not to call these events “accidents,” even when they are natural disasters. Why? Because from a sociological perspective, although natural disasters and the damage they cause are not prevented by human action—we cannot prevent an earthquake or divert a hurricane at will—what does concern public institutions is to provide citizens with the conditions to best face these events and reduce losses.
Understanding a catastrophe not only in terms of losses, but also in terms of the responsibility of each sector, institution, or citizen is essential to realize that the damage and increased vulnerability of certain social groups is not merely a matter of “accident,” but of the absence of living conditions that help overcome needs. One of the most affected aspects during these tragedies is undoubtedly food security. It is also one of the ways in which civil society shows its solidarity in a direct, basic, and agenda-free manner. Most populations affected by a catastrophe receive the first humanitarian aid in the form of food. This is mainly because survival and the coverage of life-or-death needs are the immediate concerns. Food, therefore, is a powerful symbol of what keeps us united in solidarity, but it can also become a bargaining chip to support certain agendas that are not entirely altruistic.
However, this solidarity can be increasingly undermined by the growing distrust of institutions that prevails in our times. If I help, will the aid really reach those who need it? How will that aid arrive, and under what political agenda? This undoubtedly significantly undermines not only the recovery of those affected, but also the social bond so essential for societies to progress toward better living conditions for all. From a sociological point of view, catastrophes are also moments that reveal not only the lack of responsibility of public institutions or individuals, but also the way the social fabric had already deteriorated before the catastrophe, especially in how aid is managed and how each affected party claims its share. The catastrophe, then, is not only the natural disaster itself, but also the way we take—or fail to take—responsibility for our part.
— This article was originally published in Spanish by Liliana Martínez Lomelí. Translation generated with AI from the original text.
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