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Disaster Management meant different for different players. For many decades prior to Major catastrophes like Orissa Super Cyclone (1999), Gujarat Earth quake & West Bengal Floods (2000) disaster management for respective state governments was to emphasis on early warning, evacuation, post disaster compensation, rehabilitation, shelter construction, i.e., basically reactive.
And, NGOs, who consider they to be grounded and realistic typically considered disaster management as distributing cash, clothes, providing medical assistance, water purification, etc. Most important, they tended relax until the next disaster! They didn’t do much between two disasters to reduce the impact, reduce the vulnerability and susceptibility of the people.
The perspective however has changed with a series of disasters mentioned above. Oxfam’s community based disaster preparedness (CBDP) approach has been replicated by different NGOs in different states with suitable adaptation to the local context. However, most of these initiatives are being implemented in isolation and as a project with limited life cycle, instead of integrating disaster preparedness in ongoing development programs.
DRR (disaster risk reduction) is a part of Sustainable Development, so it must involve every part of Society, government, non-governmental organizations and the professional and private sector. It therefore requires a people-centred and multi-sector approach, building resilience to multiple, cascading and interacting hazards and creating a culture of prevention and resilience. Consequently DRM includes strategies designed to:
- avoid the construction of new risks
- address pre-existing risks
- share and spread risk to prevent disaster losses being absorbed by other development outcomes and creating additional POVERTY
Successful DRR results from the combination of top-down, institutional changes and strategies, with bottom-up, local and community-based approaches. DRM programmes should not be standalone but instead be integrated within development planning and practice, since disasters are an indicator of failed or skewed development, of unsustainable economic and Social Processes, and of ill-adapted societies.
Approaches need to address the different layers of risk (from intensive to extensive risk), underlying risk drivers, as well as be tailored to local contexts. There is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to DRM(disaster risk management), but there exist a number of approaches and frameworks, which have been effectively implemented to reduce disaster risk. But, before being able to reduce risk, we need to understand the hazards, and the exposure and vulnerability of people and assets to those hazards.
Disaster risk management:steps
Prevention
Activities and measures to avoid existing and new disaster risks (often less costly than disaster relief and response). For instance, relocating exposed people and assets away from a hazard area.
Mitigation
The lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. For instance, constructing flood defences, planting trees to stabilize slopes and implementing strict land use and building construction codes.
Transfer
The process of formally or informally shifting the financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, community, enterprise or state authority will obtain Resources from the other party after a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that other party. For instance, insurance.
Preparedness
The knowledge and capacities of governments, professional response and recovery organisations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions. For instance, installing early warning systems, identifying evacuation routes and preparing emergency supplies.
Activities for reducing risk can be described as structural, for instance land use planning and implementation of building codes, and non-structural, for instance awareness raising, policy-making and legislation. How governments, civil society and other actors organise DRM, for example through institutional arrangements, legislation and decentralisation, and mechanisms for participation and accountability is termed risk governance. There is clear evidence to suggest that low-income countries with weak governance are more vulnerable and less resilient to disaster risk.
Fundamentally, DRR succeeds in reducing risk by building the strengths, attributes and resources available within a community, society or organization – collectively known as their capacity. DRM activities are designed to increase the resilience of people, communities, society and systems to resist, absorb, accommodate and to recover from and improve well-being in the face of multiple hazards. Activities for reducing and managing risks can therefore provide a way for building resilience to other risks. In addition to development, DRM should therefore be integrated across a number of sectors, including Climate change and conflict.
Identifying and understanding risk: the foundation of risk reduction
Awareness, identification, understanding and measurement of disaster risks are all clearly fundamental underpinnings of disaster risk management . Disaster risk reduction is about decisions and choices, including a lack of, so risk information has a role in five key areas of DECISION MAKING:
Risk identification
Because the damages and losses caused by historical disasters are often not widely known, and because the potential damages and losses that could arise from future disasters (including infrequent but high-impact events) may not be known at all, DRM is given a low priority. Appropriate Communication of robust risk information at the right time can raise awareness and trigger action.
Risk reduction
Hazard and risk information may be used to inform a broad range of activities to reduce risk, from improving building codes and designing risk reduction measures (such as flood and storm surge protection), to carrying out macro-level assessments of the risks to different types of buildings (for prioritizing Investment in reconstruction and retrofitting, for example).
Preparedness
An understanding of the geographic area affected, along with the intensity and frequency of different hazard events, is critical for planning evacuation routes, creating shelters, and running preparedness drills. Providing a measure of the impact of different hazard events—potential number of damaged buildings, fatalities and injuries, secondary hazards—makes it possible to establish detailed and realistic plans for better response to disasters, which can ultimately reduce the severity of adverse natural events.
Financial protection
Disaster risk analysis was born out of the financial and insurance sector’s need to quantify the risk of comparatively rare high-impact NATURAL HAZARD events. As governments increasingly seek to manage their sovereign financial risk or support programs that manage individual financial risks (e.g., micro-insurance or household earthquake insurance).
Resilient reconstruction
Risk assessment can play a critical role in impact modelling before an event strikes (in the days leading up to a cyclone, for example), or it can provide initial and rapid estimates of human, physical, and economic loss in an event’s immediate aftermath. Moreover, risk information for resilient reconstruction needs to be available before an event occurs, since after the event there is rarely time to collect the information needed to inform resilient design and land-use plans.
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Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is the process of reducing the potential loss of life and damage caused by disasters. It is a proactive approach that aims to prevent disasters from happening in the first place, or to mitigate their impact if they do occur.
There are many different approaches to DRR, but they can generally be divided into four categories: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.
Prevention involves measures to reduce the likelihood of a disaster occurring. For example, building codes can be used to make buildings more resistant to Earthquakes, and zoning laws can be used to prevent development in areas that are at risk of flooding.
Mitigation involves measures to reduce the impact of a disaster if it does occur. For example, early warning systems can be used to give people time to evacuate before a disaster strikes, and shelters can be built to provide temporary housing for those who are displaced.
Preparedness involves measures to ensure that people are ready to respond to a disaster. For example, emergency plans can be developed, and supplies can be stockpiled.
Response involves the immediate actions that are taken after a disaster occurs. For example, search and rescue operations can be conducted, and medical care can be provided to those who are injured.
Recovery involves the long-term efforts to rebuild after a disaster. For example, Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE can be repaired, and businesses can be re-established.
These are just some of the many approaches that can be used to reduce disaster risk. The specific approach that is most appropriate will vary depending on the type of disaster, the location of the community, and the resources that are available.
DRR is an essential part of building a more resilient society. By taking steps to reduce disaster risk, we can save lives, protect property, and build a more sustainable future.
One of the most important aspects of DRR is community participation. When communities are involved in the planning and implementation of DRR measures, they are more likely to be effective. This is because communities have a better understanding of their own risks and needs, and they are more likely to take ownership of DRR measures.
There are many ways to involve communities in DRR. One way is to establish community-based disaster risk reduction committees. These committees can help to identify risks, develop and implement DRR plans, and monitor progress. Another way to involve communities is to hold public meetings and workshops on DRR. These meetings can provide an opportunity for people to learn about DRR, share their concerns, and get involved in DRR activities.
Community participation is essential for effective DRR. By involving communities, we can build a more resilient society that is better prepared for disasters.
In addition to community participation, there are many other things that can be done to reduce disaster risk. Some of these things include:
- Strengthening infrastructure: Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings can be made more resistant to disasters by using stronger materials and construction techniques.
- Improving early warning systems: Early warning systems can give people time to evacuate before a disaster strikes. These systems can be based on a variety of technologies, such as satellite imagery, seismic sensors, and weather radar.
- Stockpiling supplies: Supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies can be stockpiled in areas that are at risk of disasters. This will help to ensure that people have the supplies they need in the event of a disaster.
- Developing emergency plans: Emergency plans can help to ensure that people know what to do in the event of a disaster. These plans should include information on evacuation routes, shelters, and first aid.
- Providing training: Training can help people to understand the risks of disasters and how to prepare for them. This training can be provided to individuals, families, businesses, and communities.
By taking these steps, we can reduce the risk of disasters and build a more resilient society.
What is disaster risk reduction?
Disaster risk reduction is the process of reducing disaster risks and protecting people and property from the impacts of disasters. It includes a wide range of activities, such as:
- Mitigation: This is the process of reducing the likelihood of a disaster occurring or the impact of a disaster if it does occur. Mitigation measures can include things like building stronger buildings, improving early warning systems, and developing evacuation plans.
- Preparedness: This is the process of preparing for a disaster so that people and communities can respond effectively when it happens. Preparedness measures can include things like stocking up on food and water, developing emergency plans, and training people in first aid and CPR.
- Response: This is the process of taking action to save lives and property during a disaster. Response measures can include things like rescuing people, providing medical care, and restoring essential Services.
- Recovery: This is the process of rebuilding after a disaster. Recovery measures can include things like repairing damaged infrastructure, providing financial assistance to those who have lost their homes or businesses, and helping people to get back to their normal lives.
What are the benefits of disaster risk reduction?
There are many benefits to disaster risk reduction, including:
- Saving lives: Disaster risk reduction can help to save lives by reducing the likelihood of a disaster occurring or the impact of a disaster if it does occur. For example, building stronger buildings can help to protect people from the effects of earthquakes and hurricanes.
- Protecting property: Disaster risk reduction can help to protect property by reducing the likelihood of a disaster occurring or the impact of a disaster if it does occur. For example, improving early warning systems can help people to evacuate their homes before a disaster strikes, which can reduce the damage to property.
- Reducing economic losses: Disaster risk reduction can help to reduce economic losses by reducing the likelihood of a disaster occurring or the impact of a disaster if it does occur. For example, developing evacuation plans can help to reduce the disruption to businesses and industries when a disaster strikes.
- Improving social cohesion: Disaster risk reduction can help to improve social cohesion by bringing people together to work on common goals. For example, community-based disaster risk reduction programs can help to build trust and cooperation between different groups in society.
- Promoting sustainable development: Disaster risk reduction can help to promote sustainable development by reducing the vulnerability of people and communities to disasters. For example, investing in infrastructure that can withstand disasters can help to reduce the economic losses associated with disasters.
What are the challenges of disaster risk reduction?
There are a number of challenges to disaster risk reduction, including:
- Lack of funding: Disaster risk reduction is often underfunded, which can make it difficult to implement effective programs.
- Lack of political will: There is often a lack of political will to invest in disaster risk reduction, which can make it difficult to get the necessary resources and support.
- Lack of awareness: There is often a lack of awareness about the risks of disasters, which can make it difficult to get people to take action to reduce their risk.
- Lack of capacity: There is often a lack of capacity in developing countries to implement effective disaster risk reduction programs.
What can be done to overcome the challenges of disaster risk reduction?
There are a number of things that can be done to overcome the challenges of disaster risk reduction, including:
- Increase funding: Increased funding is essential to implement effective disaster risk reduction programs. This funding can come from governments, international organizations, and private donors.
- Build political will: It is important to build political will to invest in disaster risk reduction. This can be done by raising awareness about the risks of disasters and the benefits of disaster risk reduction.
- Raise awareness: It is important to raise awareness about the risks of disasters and the benefits of disaster risk reduction. This can be done through Education and outreach programs.
- Build capacity: It is important to build capacity in developing countries to implement effective disaster risk reduction programs. This can be done through training and technical assistance programs.
What is the role of the international community in disaster risk reduction?
The international community has a role to play in disaster risk reduction by providing funding, technical assistance, and capacity building. The international community can also help to promote awareness about the risks of disasters and the benefits of disaster risk reduction.
Which of the following is not an approach to disaster risk reduction?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) RecoveryWhich of the following is the most effective way to reduce the risk of a disaster?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) RecoveryWhich of the following is an example of mitigation?
(A) Building a seawall to protect a coastal community from flooding
(B) Developing a plan for how to evacuate a community in the event of a disaster
(C) Providing food and shelter to people who have been displaced by a disaster
(D) Rebuilding a community after a disasterWhich of the following is an example of preparedness?
(A) Building a seawall to protect a coastal community from flooding
(B) Developing a plan for how to evacuate a community in the event of a disaster
(C) Providing food and shelter to people who have been displaced by a disaster
(D) Rebuilding a community after a disasterWhich of the following is an example of response?
(A) Providing food and shelter to people who have been displaced by a disaster
(B) Rebuilding a community after a disaster
(C) Providing medical care to people who have been injured in a disaster
(D) All of the aboveWhich of the following is an example of recovery?
(A) Providing food and shelter to people who have been displaced by a disaster
(B) Rebuilding a community after a disaster
(C) Providing medical care to people who have been injured in a disaster
(D) All of the aboveWhich of the following is the most important step in disaster risk reduction?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) RecoveryWhich of the following is the most expensive step in disaster risk reduction?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) RecoveryWhich of the following is the most effective way to reduce the loss of life in a disaster?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) RecoveryWhich of the following is the most effective way to reduce the economic impact of a disaster?
(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) Recovery