Module 2
Disaster Management – Definition; Components of DM; Crisis Management; Risk
Management; Disaster Management Cycle; Impact of disaster on development; UNISDR
mandate in Disaster Relief & Management; IDNDR; Yokohama Strategy and Hyogo
Framework. Assessing Disaster Risk - ii) Ways of minimizing disaster risk a) Preparedness –
b) Mitigation – c) Prevention iii) Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan – iv) Implementing
DRM plan v) Role of Risk transfer and insurance in DRM
Disaster Management
Disaster management involves the organized efforts to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and
recover from disasters. These disasters can be natural (such as earthquakes, floods,
hurricanes) or man-made (such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks). The primary goal of
disaster management is to reduce the negative impacts of these events on human life,
property, and the environment.
Aims and Objectives Of Disaster Management
1. Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Disasters
Identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities.
Implement measures to prevent disasters or reduce their impact, such as building
regulations, environmental management, and land-use planning.
2. Prepare for Disasters
Develop and implement emergency plans.
Conduct training and simulation exercises for response teams and the community.
Establish early warning systems.
3. Effective Response During Disasters
Coordinate emergency response efforts among various agencies and organisations.
Provide immediate assistance to affected populations, including medical care, shelter,
and food.
Ensure efficient communication and information dissemination.
4. Recovery and Rehabilitation
Restore essential services and infrastructure.
Provide psychological support and social services to affected individuals.
Implement long-term reconstruction and development programs to restore normalcy.
Phases of Disaster Management
1. Pre-Disaster Phase:
Involves mitigation and preparedness activities.
Aims to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance response capabilities.
2. During Disaster Phase:
Focuses on response efforts.
Prioritizes immediate relief and protection of human life.
3. Post-Disaster Phase:
Encompasses recovery and rehabilitation.
Aims to return the community to normalcy and improve resilience against future
disasters.
Disaster Management Cycle
Components of DM Cycle
1. Mitigation:
Efforts to reduce the severity and impact of disasters.
Examples: constructing dams to control floods, enforcing building codes to withstand
earthquakes, and reforestation to prevent landslides.
2. Preparedness:
Planning and training for an effective response.
Examples: developing emergency plans, conducting drills and simulations, and stockpiling
necessary supplies.
3. Response:
Actions taken immediately before, during, and after a disaster to protect lives and property.
Examples: search and rescue operations, medical aid, and emergency shelter provision.
4. Recovery:
Activities to restore normalcy and rebuild affected areas.
Examples: rebuilding infrastructure, providing financial aid to victims, psychological support
services.
Crisis Management
Crisis Management is the systematic process of anticipating, preparing for, responding to, and
recovering from sudden unexpected events that threaten life, property, environment, or
organizational stability.
Risk Management
Risk Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to minimise
their impact on people, property, and the environment.
Steps in Risk Management
1. Risk Identification: Identify potential hazards such as Earthquakes, Floods, and industrial
accidents
2. Risk Assessment: Evaluate Probability of occurrence, Severity of impact. Tools used:
Hazard mapping, GIS, and historical data analysis.
3. Risk Reduction: Measures to reduce risk include Preparedness, Mitigation, and
Prevention. Examples: Flood embankments, Cyclone shelters, Building codes.
4. Risk Monitoring: Continuous monitoring and updating of risk management strategies.
Example: Cyclone Risk Management in Odisha- Early warning systems, Cyclone shelters
Large-scale evacuation. Result: Significant reduction in casualties.
Impact of disaster on development
1. Economic Impact
Destruction of Infrastructure: Roads and bridges damaged, Power supply disrupted,
Communication networks destroyed, and industries and factories damaged.
Loss of Livelihood: Crops destroyed, Fisheries and livestock lost, and small businesses
collapsed.
Increased Government Expenditure: Relief and rehabilitation costs increase, Funds
diverted from development projects.
Example: Kerala Floods (2018)- Economic losses are estimated at ₹30,000 crore, affecting
tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.
2. Social Impact
Loss of Life and Injury: Deaths and disabilities, Psychological trauma
Displacement of Population: People lose homes, a large number of internally displaced
persons
Disruption of Education: Schools damaged, Children unable to attend classes
Health Problems: Spread of diseases, Lack of clean water and sanitation
Example: Uttarakhand Floods (2013) caused massive displacement and loss of lives.
3. Environmental Impact
Disasters damage natural ecosystems.
Effects: Deforestation, Soil erosion, Water contamination, Loss of biodiversity, Land
degradation
Example: Cyclone Amphan (2020) damaged mangrove forests in the Sundarbans.
4. Impact on Sustainable Development
Disasters delay achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by- Increasing
poverty, affecting food security, damaging environmental resources and disrupting economic
growth.
UNISDR Mandate in Disaster Relief & Management
UNISDR stands for United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
In 2019, UNISDR was renamed as UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction). It is the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating global disaster risk
reduction (DRR) efforts. Created after the International Decade for Natural Disaster
Reduction (IDNDR).
Established in 1999.
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Mandate of UNISDR (UNDRR)-
1. Lead global disaster risk reduction efforts
2. Support countries in implementing disaster risk reduction strategies
3. Promote resilience and sustainable development
4. Coordinate international cooperation in DRR
5. Monitor implementation of global frameworks
IDNDR – International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction
Global initiative launched by the United Nations to reduce the impact of natural disasters
worldwide. The decade was observed from 1990 to 1999. In the 1980s, natural disasters were
causing massive losses globally. The UN General Assembly declared the 1990s as the
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
Objectives of IDNDR-
1. Reduce loss of human life
2. Reduce economic losses
3. Improve disaster preparedness
4. Promote scientific research
5. Develop early warning systems
6. Encourage international cooperation
Achievements of IDNDR-
1. Increased global awareness of disaster risk
2. Improved early warning systems
3. Encouraged countries to establish disaster management agencies
4. Promoted scientific research in disaster mitigation
5. Led to stronger international collaboration
Outcome of IDNDR:
At the end of the decade (1999): It led to the establishment of UNISDR (United Nations
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) in 1999. Shifted focus from disaster response
to disaster risk reduction (DRR). It laid the foundation for the Hyogo Framework for Action
(2005–2015) and Sendai Framework (2015–2030).
Yokohama Strategy (1994)
The Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World was adopted in 1994 at the
World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction, held in Yokohama, Japan. It was developed
during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) (1990–1999).
Key Principles of Yokohama Strategy-
1. Risk assessment is essential for disaster reduction.
2. Prevention and preparedness are better than response.
3. Disaster reduction should be part of development policy.
4. Community participation is important.
5. International cooperation is necessary.
Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) (2005–2015)
It was adopted in 2005 at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in Hyogo, Japan,
after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Covered the period: 2005–2015
Three Strategic Goals:
1. Integrate DRR into sustainable development policies.
2. Strengthen institutions for disaster risk reduction.
3. Incorporate risk reduction into emergency preparedness and recovery.
Five Priorities for Action:
1. Ensure DRR is a national and local priority- Establish institutional mechanisms.
2. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks- Hazard mapping, Early warning systems
3. Use knowledge and education to build safety- Public awarenessTraining programs
4. Reduce underlying risk factors- Environmental protection, Urban planning
5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response- Emergency planning, Capacity
building
Disaster Risk Assessment
Disaster risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, analysing vulnerabilities, and
evaluating potential losses that may occur due to disasters. It helps authorities understand
how likely a disaster is and how severe its impact could be.
Components of Disaster Risk Assessment-
1. Hazard Assessment
2. Exposure Assessment
3. Vulnerability Assessment
4. Capacity Assessment
Ways of Minimising Disaster Risk:
1. Preparedness- It includes measures taken in advance to ensure an effective response
during disasters. Preparedness activities like early warning systems, disaster drills and
training, emergency planning, resource stockpiling and community awareness programs.
Example: Odisha government conducted large-scale evacuations before Cyclone Fani (2019)
which significantly reduced casualties.
2. Mitigation- It refers to long-term measures taken to reduce disaster impacts.
Types of Mitigation:
Structural Mitigation: Flood control dams, Cyclone shelters, Earthquake-resistant buildings
Non-Structural Mitigation- Building codes, Land-use planning, Environmental protection,
Hazard zoning
Example- After the Bhuj earthquake (2001), Gujarat introduced earthquake-resistant
construction.
3. Prevention- It includes actions taken to completely avoid disasters or eliminate risk where
possible. Prevention is often difficult but highly effective when possible.
Examples- Avoiding construction in landslide zones, Strict industrial safety regulations, and
forest conservation.
Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan
A Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan is a structured strategy developed to reduce
disaster risks and ensure effective disaster response and recovery.
Components of DRM Plan-
1. Hazard identification
2. Risk assessment
3. Resource inventory
4. Institutional framework
5. Standard Operating Procedures
6. Early warning systems
7. Evacuation and response plan
8. Recovery and rehabilitation plan
Implementing DRM Plan
Implementation involves translating plans into action.
Steps:
1. Risk Identification- Identify hazards and vulnerable areas.
2. Institutional Coordination- Government agencies coordinate with NGOs and communities.
3. Capacity Building- Training emergency responders and local communities
4. Infrastructure Development- Building shelters, strengthening buildings, improving
drainage systems.
5. Public Awareness- Educating people about disaster preparedness.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation- Regular review and updating of DRM plans.
Example: Odisha's disaster management system effectively implemented evacuation and
preparedness strategies during cyclones
Role of Risk Transfer and Insurance in DRM
Risk transfer means shifting the financial risks of disasters to another party, usually insurance
companies.
Insurance is a financial mechanism through which individuals, businesses, or governments
receive compensation for losses caused by disasters. In this system: the insured pays a
premium and the insurance company compensates the insured after disaster losses.
Examples- Crop insurance, Property insurance, Disaster bonds, Government compensation
schemes
Insurance helps in:
1. Reducing economic losses
2. Supporting quick recovery
3. Providing financial security
4. Encouraging risk reduction behaviour
Example: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides crop insurance to farmers
against natural disasters.
Question Bank
1. Define Disaster Management and explain its aims and objectives. Explain the phases
of Disaster Management.
2. Explain Crisis Management in detail. Describe the steps involved in Risk
Management.
3. Explain the Disaster Management Cycle and its components. Discuss the
importance of mitigation and preparedness in disaster management.
4. Discuss the economic and social impacts of disasters on development. Explain the
environmental impacts of disasters with examples.
5. Explain the mandate and functions of UNISDR (UNDRR). Write a short note on
IDNDR and its objectives.
6. Explain the Yokohama Strategy (1994) and its key principles. Describe the Hyogo
Framework for Action (2005–2015).
7. Explain the components of Disaster Risk Assessment. Discuss the importance of
capacity assessment in risk reduction.
8. Explain Preparedness measures in disaster risk reduction. Describe Mitigation
measures with examples.
9. What is a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Plan? Explain its components. Explain
the steps involved in implementing a DRM plan.
10. Explain the concept of risk transfer in disaster risk management. Discuss the role of
insurance in DRM with examples.