DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Disaster management is how we deal with the human, material, economic or environmental
impacts of said disaster, it is the process of how we “prepare for, respond to and learn from the
effects of major failures”. Though often caused by nature, disasters can have human origins.
basic concepts of disaster
Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its
capacity to cope using its own resources. Disasters can be caused by natural, man-made
and technological hazards, as well as various factors that influence the exposure and
vulnerability of a community.
Specifically, disaster management is about organizing and directing resources to cope
with a disaster and coordinating the roles and responsibilities of responders, private
sector organizations, public sector agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations,
volunteers, donations,
concept of disaster management plan
The objective of the Industrial Disaster Management Plan is to make use of the combined
resources of the plant and the outside services to achieve the following: • Effect the
rescue and medical treatment of casualties; • Safeguard other people; • Minimize damage
to property and the environment.
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Components of disaster management
Emergency managers think of disasters as recurring events with four phases: Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. The following diagram illustrates the relationship of the
four phases of emergency management.
The cycle involves the following five stages:
Prevention. The best way to address a disaster is by being proactive.
Mitigation. Mitigation aims to minimize the loss of human life that would result from a disaster.
Preparedness.
Response.
Recovery.
TYPES OF DISASTERS
Earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions.
Landslides. Tsunamis.
Avalanches. Floods.
Heat waves. Cold waves.
Wildfires. Droughts.
Cyclones. Epidemics and pandemics.
Technological and biological hazards. Hailstorms.
CAUSES OF NATURAL DISASTERS
The main causes of natural disasters are tectonic shifts, lunar activities, deforestation, soil
erosion, air pressure, ocean currents, pollution, mining, seismic waves, etc. Agricultural
practices, mining, deforestation, etc., can lead to landslides. Plants and animals can also be
damaged by wildfires.
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(i) Global warming. Global warming is a serious contributor to natural disasters because it
affects our globe in so many areas.
(ii) Natural activities in the earth's crust.
(iii) Tectonic movement.
(iv) Deforestation.
(v) Soil erosion.
factors influencing disaster management
Technological, operational/ managerial, economic, social, legal and environmental factors seem
to have direct influence over the disaster management cycle, while the influence of institutional
and political factors seemed indirect and it is through other factors identified.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
disaster preparedness and response depend on gathering, analysing and acting on timely and
accurate information before (hazard and early warning information), during (disaster needs
assessment) and after disasters (progress of post-disaster recovery).
Disaster Prepared: Ten Steps to Safety
Identify Your Risk.
Create a Family Disaster Plan.
Practice Your Disaster Plan.
Build a Disaster Supply Kit for Your Home and Car.
Prepare Your Children.
Don't Forget Those with Special Needs.
Learn CPR and First Aid.
Eliminate Hazards in Your Home and The Workplace.
importance of disaster preparedness
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Preparing for disasters saves countless lives, speeds up people's recovery and saves money. The
IFRC supports National Societies to continually improve their local preparedness and response
capacity—ultimately preventing and reducing the impacts of disasters on communities.
Disaster Response / Relief
"The provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a
disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic
subsistence needs of the people affected
four emergency responses
Emergency managers think of disasters as recurring events with four phases
: Mitigation,
Preparedness
, Response
, Recovery
Response. The response stage involves the immediate response to a disaster. Response measures
include search and rescue operations, providing emergency medical assistance, and setting up
emergency shelters. Response teams work to stabilize the situation and reduce the potential for
further harm.
4 pillars of disaster recovery
Recovery is part of emergency management, which includes the broader components
of prevention, preparedness, and response. It includes built, environmental and economic
elements, as well as social wellbeing.
4 C's of disaster recovery
The path to recovery is shaped by four core principles, often referred to as the 4
C's: Communication, Coordination, Continuity, and Collaboration. These principles establish the
foundation for developing resilient and adaptable disaster response strategies.
Basic Concept - Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
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These measures rebuild essential infrastructure, institutions, services and restore the means of
production destroyed or made non-operational by a disaster.
difference between the term rehabilitation and reconstruction as used in disaster management
Rehabilitation may not restore the damaged structures in their previous form or location. It may
include the replacement of temporary arrangements established as part of emergency response.
Reconstruction is the long-term development of your home that allows you to live there again.
reconstruction in the disaster management cycle
The process of reconstruction involves partial or complete relocation and rebuilding the essential
physical infrastructure and shelter (house) so that vulnerability levels are reduced and families
are able to get back to their feet. Reconstruction therefore paves the way for long term
rehabilitation.
recovery and rehabilitation strategies in disaster response
A good recovery plan must aim at building resilient communities. This can be ensured through
four major strategies (i) Community Participation, (ii) Education and Training, (iii) Stress
Management, and (iv) Positive Role of the Media.
Disaster mitigation
Mitigation requires weighing and managing risks to ensure loss of life and economic damage is
as little as possible.
Similar to disaster prevention, mitigation requires permanent measures that are taken before
disaster strikes to ensure the community is as safe as possible
risk mitigation strategies
Assume and accept risk.
Avoidance of risk.
Controlling risk.
Transference of risk.
Watch and monitor risk.
ways to mitigate the disaster
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It's the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people and property. Mitigation
involves keeping homes away from floodplains, engineering bridges to withstand earthquakes,
creating and enforcing effective building codes to protect property from hurricanes,
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