Disaster

Disaster Management: The term “disaster” comes from the French word “Desastre,” a combination of ‘des’ meaning bad, and ‘aster’ meaning star, implying ‘Bad or Evil star.’

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.

Small-scale disaster: a type of disaster only affecting local communities which require assistance beyond the affected community.

Large-scale disaster: a type of disaster affecting a society which requires national or international assistance.

Hazard, Vulnerability, Risk, and Capacity

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR):

Hazard: A process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.

Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes that increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets, or systems to the impacts of hazards.

Disaster Risk: The potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged assets that could occur to a system, society, or a community in a specific period of time, determined probabilistically as a function of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity. It is often represented by an equation: Disaster Risk = (Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability) / Capacity

Capacity: The combination of all the strengths, attributes, and resources available within an organization, community, or society to manage and reduce disaster risks and strengthen resilience.

Disaster Management Cycle

The disaster management cycle consists of a series of phases aimed at mitigating the impact of disasters, preparing for potential emergencies, responding effectively when disasters occur, and ensuring recovery and reconstruction post-disaster.

Pre-Disaster Phase:

1. Prevention: Prevention involves measures to prevent natural and man-made disasters from occurring. This includes:
   • Implementing land-use planning and building codes to avoid areas prone to hazards.
   • Promoting public education and awareness campaigns to minimize human actions that could lead to disasters.
   • Developing and enforcing policies that reduce environmental degradation and promote sustainable practices.
2. Mitigation: Mitigation efforts focus on reducing the severity and impact of disasters when they occur. These activities include:
   • Structural measures like constructing dams, levees, and retrofitting buildings to withstand earthquakes.
   • Non-structural measures such as zoning laws, land use policies, and economic incentives to encourage disaster-resistant development.
   • Public education campaigns to inform communities about risks and how to mitigate them.
3. Preparedness: Preparedness is about planning and preparing resources and actions to ensure an effective response when a disaster occurs. Key activities include:
   • Developing emergency response plans and conducting regular drills.
   • Setting up early warning systems to alert communities of impending disasters.
   • Training first responders and communities in disaster response techniques.
   • Stockpiling essential supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies.

During Disaster Phase:

1. Response: The response phase occurs immediately after a disaster strikes and aims to provide emergency assistance, save lives, and prevent further damage. Key activities include:
   • Activating emergency response plans and control rooms.
   • Conducting search and rescue operations.
   • Providing medical care, food, water, and shelter to affected populations.
   • Restoring communication and transportation networks to facilitate relief operations. 

Post-Disaster Phase:

1. Recovery: Recovery activities focus on restoring normalcy in the aftermath of a disaster. This phase involves:
   • Assessing damage and conducting needs assessments.
   • Providing temporary housing and restoring public services.
   • Offering financial assistance and psychosocial support to affected individuals.
   • Implementing programs to rebuild and restore affected communities.
2. Reconstruction: Reconstruction involves long-term efforts to rebuild and improve infrastructure, housing, and services to pre-disaster levels or better. Key activities include:
   • Reconstructing damaged buildings, roads, and other infrastructure with improved standards.
   • Restoring and enhancing the economic, social, and environmental health of the affected area.
   • Ensuring that reconstruction efforts incorporate lessons learned to reduce future vulnerabilities

Importance of the Disaster Management Cycle

The disaster management cycle is essential for several reasons:

1. Risk Reduction: By focusing on prevention and mitigation, the cycle helps reduce the overall risk and potential impact of disasters.
2. Preparedness: It ensures that communities and authorities are well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively, minimizing loss of life and property.
3. Efficient Response: Coordinated response efforts ensure timely assistance to those affected, reducing suffering and preventing secondary impacts.
4. Sustainable Recovery: Structured recovery and reconstruction efforts aim to build back better, promoting resilience and sustainability in affected communities.

Effective disaster management involves the integration of these phases into a continuous cycle, ensuring that lessons learned from past disasters inform future prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This holistic approach is crucial for minimizing the adverse effects of disasters and enhancing the resilience of communities.

Types of Disasters

1. Natural Disasters
   1. Geological
      • Earthquakes
      • Tsunamis
      • Volcanic Eruptions
   2. Hydrological
      • Floods
      • Urban Floods
      • Landslides
      • Wave Actions
      • Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
      • Droughts
   3. Meteorological
      • Cyclones
      • Tornadoes
      • Heatwaves
      • Cold Waves, Derecho
2. Anthropogenic Disasters
   • Biological and public health emergencies (BPHE)
   • Chemical spills
   • Nuclear and radiological emergencies (NRE)