Disaster Management

By : Karim M Pathan

Aim

Analyse the basic

conceptual
framework related
to disaster
preparedness

Learning objectives

To identify key elements of most

commonly used definitions:
- disaster, hazard, risk, capacity and vulnerability.
To explain the difference between:
- disaster preparedness, disaster prevention
and disaster mitigation.

Assumptions
Populations affected by disasters
have a right to:
- disaster assistance
- determine the type of assistance they need

Disaster preparedness provides opportunities

for rights-based participation

Preparedness is an important step towards

good quality and accountability

What is a disaster?

Photo:
Chris Black

Something that causes a lot of harm or

damage. (May be due to Flood, E.Q. or
Fire etc.)
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The common elements related to Disaster:

Affects the people
Usually triggered by a hazard ( Flood/EQ/Fire)
Directly related to vulnerability
Exceeds capacity of household, community
or group of people to cope
Social processes play an important role
More to do with society than natural phenomena

Discussion

Hazard

Risk

Vulnerability

Capacity

What is a hazard?
A hazard is a physical or human-made event
that can potentially trigger a disaster.
Examples include earthquakes, mud-slides,
floods, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, drought,
economic collapse, and war.
These physical events need not necessarily
result in disaster.
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What is risk?

The probability/likelihood of a
disaster happening.
Risk analysis involves determining the
probability of the disaster happening.

What is capacity?

Capacity is the resources of individuals,

households and communities to cope with
a threat or resist the impact of a hazard.

What capacities
can be used or
developed to
increase peoples
capacity to cope?

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What is human vulnerability?

Human vulnerability is:
- the degree to which people are susceptible to loss,
damage, suffering and death, in the event of a disaster.
This is a function of:
- physical, economic, social, political, technical,
ideological, cultural, educational, ecological and
institutional conditions.
Vulnerability relates to:
- an individual's or community's capacity to cope with
specific threats.
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The Relationship?

H x V - C= R
Hazard x Vulnerability - Capacity = Risk

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Hazard x Vulnerability - Capacity = Risk

Hazard
x

Potential threat to humans and

their welfare

Vulnerability
Capacity
=

Exposure and susceptibility to

loss of life or dignity

Risk
Disaster

Available and potential resources

Probability of disaster occurrence

Realisation of a risk
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What is the difference?

Disaster preparedness

Disaster mitigation

Disaster prevention

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What is disaster preparedness?

Measures that ensure the readiness and
ability of a society to:
forecast and take precautionary measures in

advance of an imminent threat

respond to and cope with disaster effects by

organising and delivering timely and effective

assistance.
Participation is essential at all stages
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Examples of preparedness activities

Develop and test early warning systems
Make evacuation plans
Establish policies
Make operational plans
Secure resources
Training
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Prevention, mitigation and preparedness

Disaster
prevention

Disaster
mitigation

Disaster
preparedness

Activities
designed
to provide
permanent
protection
from disasters.

Measures
taken in
advance of a
disaster aimed
at reducing its
impact on
society and the
environment.

Ability to
predict,
respond to
and cope with
the effect of a
disaster.

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Disaster prevention and mitigation

Prevention aims to eliminate risk.
Mitigation aims to reduce risk.
Appropriate disaster prevention and mitigation
- builds on peoples strengths
and tackles the causes
of vulnerability

Community empowerment
and the right to participate
are central to good
preparedness and mitigation.
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Mitigation: How risks can be reduced

Hazard reduction

Vulnerability reduction

Constructing flood
protection

Seismic resistant
construction

Improving drainage

Reinforcing hill-sides

Micro-seismic studies to
predict vulnerable areas

Relocating from river

banks

Improving health and

nutrition

Eliminating the principal

site of an infection.

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Conclusions
People have a right to
minimum standards
People have a right
to life with dignity

People have a right

to be supported in
their own mitigation
and preparedness
activities

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Thank You !

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