INTRODUCTION TO DISASTER
AND RISK MANAGEMENT
CHS 417
Dr Gbate, M
Disasters & it’s management in Nigeria
• Drought, desertification, flooding, epidemics, coastal erosion, dam failure, building collapse, oil spillage,
maritime collision or accident, bomb explosion, communal clash, fire, air crashes and boat mishap, etc.
OTHERS
• Earthquake, Tsunami, landslide, vulcanic eruptions, forest fires, etc.
• Technological or manmade disasters: Hazardous materials, Nuclear disasters, Radiological emergencies,
Chemical & biological weapons, Cyber attacks, etc.
MANAGEMENT AGENCY
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) established by Act 12 of 1999 as amended by Act 50 of
1999 to manage disasters in all its ramifications.
• Establish at state level, a body to be known as the State Emergency Management Agency, hereinafter refered
to as SEMA
• Local Emergency Management Authority (LEMA) at the LGA level
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
• strategies designed to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters affecting displaced
populations.
• Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are highly vulnerable
• live in overcrowded camps
• limited access to food, healthcare, sanitation, and security.
• Effective disaster control programmes should target reduced mortality, prevent disease outbreaks, and ensure
protection for vulnerable groups (World Health Organization, 2018).
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person involves 5 basic steps viz:
1. Risk Assessment and Preparedness
2. Emergency Response
3. Health and Disease Control
4. Protection and Security
5. Logistics and Resource Management
6. Rehabilitation and Recovery
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
1. Risk Assessment and Preparedness
Preparedness is the process of identifying potential hazards and implementing measures
to minimize their effects before disasters occur.
Preparedness activities include:
dentifying potential hazards such as floods, fires, disease outbreaks, and conflict.
Mapping refugee settlements and identifying high-risk areas.
Establishing early warning systems.
Training community volunteers in emergency response.
Stockpiling essential supplies such as food, medicines, and water purification materials.
• International organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
and the International Organization for Migration support governments in planning and
preparedness activities for displaced populations (UNHCR, 2022)
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
2. Emergency Response
• Emergency response involves immediate actions taken during or shortly after a disaster
to save lives and reduce suffering.
• Key emergency response activities include:
Search and rescue operations.
Provision of emergency shelters.
Distribution of food and relief supplies.
Emergency medical treatment and triage.
Provision of clean water and sanitation facilities.
• Humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and
Médecins Sans Frontières often provide emergency healthcare and humanitarian
assistance in refugee camps during disasters.
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
3. Health and Disease Control
Disasters in refugee camps can lead to the rapid spread of infectious diseases due to
overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare services.
Important disease control measures include:
Vaccination programmes.
Disease surveillance and reporting systems.
Isolation and treatment of infected individuals.
Provision of mental health and psychosocial support.
Common diseases that may occur in displaced populations include Cholera, Measles, and
Malaria (WHO, 2018).
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
4. Protection and Security
Protection measures are necessary to safeguard refugees and displaced persons from
violence, exploitation, and abuse.
Protection strategies include:
Proper camp design with lighting and security patrols.
Protection services for women and children.
Registration and documentation of displaced persons.
Monitoring of human rights conditions.
The United Nations Children's Fund plays an important role in protecting displaced children
and ensuring access to education and healthcare (UNICEF, 2021).
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
5. Logistics and Resource Management
Effective logistics ensure that emergency supplies reach affected populations quickly and
efficiently.
Logistics management includes:
Transportation and distribution of relief supplies.
Supply chain management and storage.
Coordination between humanitarian organizations.
Information and communication systems for emergency management.
The humanitarian standards developed by the Sphere Association provide guidelines for
the delivery of essential services in disaster settings (Sphere Association, 2018).
Disaster control Programme for refugee and displaced person
6. Rehabilitation and Recovery
After the emergency phase, recovery programmes focus on restoring stability and
improving living conditions for displaced populations.
Recovery activities include:
Rebuilding shelters and infrastructure.
Providing education for displaced children.
Supporting livelihoods and vocational training.
Facilitating voluntary repatriation or resettlement when safe.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs coordinates
international humanitarian response and recovery planning (OCHA, 2020).
Risk mitigation
Effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
Mitigation can include measures such as
planning,
preparedness,
prevention, and
risk transfer.
Risk mitigation does not aim to eliminate threats, but to reduce their impact and
avoid compounding risks.
Strategies for Risk Management
• Risk Avoidance
• Choice of alternatives
• Risk Transfer
• Transfer liabilty to a third party (e.g. insurance, waranties, guaranties, etc.)
• Risk reduction\mitigation
• Reducing the probability, impact, or both of the risk
• Risk acceptance
• Risk can’t be avoided or transfered (prepare for its management)
Technological Advancements in Disaster Prediction and Mitigation
[Link] imagery:
[Link] Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS):
[Link] Positioning System (GPS)
[Link] aircraft & Drones:
[Link] of Things (IoT):
[Link] Learning and Artificial Intelligence:
[Link] media and social networking:
[Link]/Cellular Mobile Telephone System
[Link]/Television
Management of epidemics.
Management of epidemics in disaster zonesinvolves coordinated public health actions
aimed at preventing, detecting, and controlling disease outbreaksamong
populations affected by disasters. Natural disasters, conflicts, and displacement often
lead to overcrowding, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and limited healthcare services,
which increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks (World Health Organization,
2018).
Management strategies include:
1. Disease Surveillance and Early Detection
2. Provision of Safe Water and Sanitation
3. Vaccination and Immunization
4. Medical Treatment and Case Management
5. Health Education and Community Awareness
6. Vector Control
7. Coordination and Logistics
Management of epidemics.
1. Disease Surveillance and Early Detection
Early detection is critical for preventing the spread of infectious diseases during disasters.
Key activities include:
Establishing disease surveillance systems.
Monitoring symptoms and unusual disease patterns.
Reporting suspected cases promptly.
Laboratory testing and confirmation of diseases.
Rapid detection helps authorities respond quickly to outbreaks such as Cholera, Measles,
and Typhoid Fever.
Management of epidemics.
2. Provision of Safe Water and Sanitation
Poor sanitation and contaminated water are major causes of epidemics after disasters.
Preventive measures include:
Provision of safe drinking water.
Construction of emergency latrines.
Proper waste disposal systems.
Distribution of water purification tablets.
Organizations such as the United Nations Children's Fund support water, sanitation, and
hygiene (WASH) programmes in disaster zones.
Management of epidemics.
3. Vaccination and Immunization
Vaccination campaigns are essential to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable
diseases.
Common vaccination programmes during disasters include:
Measles vaccination.
Cholera vaccination where necessary.
Routine immunization for children.
The World Health Organization and the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance often coordinate large-
scale vaccination campaigns in emergency settings.
Management of epidemics.
4. Medical Treatment and Case Management
Adequate medical care must be provided to infected individuals to reduce mortality and
transmission.
Important interventions include:
Establishing temporary health clinics.
Providing essential medicines and antibiotics.
Isolation of infected patients.
Referral systems for severe cases.
Humanitarian organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières and the International
Committee of the Red Cross frequently provide medical services in disaster zones.
Management of epidemics.
5. Health Education and Community Awareness
Educating affected communities is vital for controlling epidemics.
Health education programmes focus on:
Handwashing and personal hygiene.
Safe food preparation.
Proper use of sanitation facilities.
Early reporting of symptoms.
Community engagement helps prevent panic and encourages cooperation with health
authorities.
Management of epidemics.
6. Vector Control
Some diseases in disaster zones are spread by vectors such as mosquitoes and flies.
Vector control measures include:
Distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets.
Environmental sanitation.
Spraying insecticides.
Eliminating stagnant water sources.
These measures help reduce diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever.
Management of epidemics.
7. Coordination and Logistics
Effective epidemic control requires coordination among multiple agencies.
Key aspects include:
Coordination between government health agencies and humanitarian organizations.
Efficient distribution of medical supplies.
Data collection and information sharing.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs plays an important
role in coordinating humanitarian responses during disasters.