disaster victim; person affected by a disaster
Refers to someone who has suffered damage or hardship due to a natural or man-made disaster. Often used in news, official reports, and relief contexts. Compare 被災者, which is more common in everyday speech.
See also: 被災者
Relief supplies were delivered to the disaster victims.
Many of the disaster victims are living in evacuation shelters.
Compound of 罹災 (risai, 'suffering from a disaster') + 者 (sha, 'person'). 罹災 is from 罹 (ri, 'to suffer, be afflicted') + 災 (sai, 'disaster').