Queensland, Australia | Flooding
In January 2011, the Queensland flood in Australia affected over 200,000 people, leaving 38 dead. The flooding caused over 750 million US dollars in damages. Follow up studies reported that over half of the LGBT people in the area felt unsafe to stay at shelters and many knew they would not be treated well by emergency volunteers.
India | Tsunami and Earthquake
On December 26, 2006, the Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake swept over 10 countries, including India, causing over 10 billion US dollars in damages in that country. In total, over 200,000 people died in Tamil Nadu including at least 5 Aravanis, which is a ‘third gender’ group in India. Aravanis who survived were denied food, shelter and suffered verbal and physical abuse.
Indonesia | Mt. Merapi Eruption
In late October of 2010, Mount Merapi began a series of violent eruptions causing 350,000 people to become homeless, over 600 million US dollars in damage and killing 350 people. Because shelters were only available for men and women, the “third gender” group in Java called Warias were afraid to ask for assistance, instead turning to friends or family for help.
Japan | Tsunami and Earthquake
On March 11, 2011 an earthquake in Japan caused tens of billions of dollars in damages and killed over 16,000 people. But the natural disaster made things particularly difficult for transgender women in the country. At one shelter a trans woman reported being called a, “crossdressing deviant fag” and denied permission to use the shower.
Nepal | Earthquake
In Nepal on April 25, 2015 there was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killing almost 9,000 people and injuring 22,000. The LGBT organization, the Blue Diamond Society lost members and their main building was damaged. They also reported that many LGBT people had trouble accessing shelter and food and difficulty trying to rebuild their lives because of homophobia and transphobia.
Pakistan | Flooding
In late July 2010, Pakistan was hit with major rainfall causing flooding that killed 1780 people and resulted in over 9.7 billion US dollars in damages. Throughout the rescue efforts many LGBT people reported being treated very badly by emergency volunteers and denied access to food and shelter.
Philippines | Flooding
The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster prone countries having countless typhoons, volcanic activity, flooding and landslides. From 1900 to 2013, there have been over 537 natural disasters in the country, killing over 60,000 people. Baklas are the “third gender” group in the region and have great challenges accessing aid, especially in shelters where Baklas who identified as female are forced to stay with men.
