Basic Concepts and

Terminologies

in Disaster Management

Adopted from 8th EVRC Course Held in Feb

2009 in Bangkok

Basic

Definitions

& Terms

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, you should be able to:

Define disaster,hazard, risk, elements at risk, vulnerability, capacity, response, relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, development, mitigation, preparedness and prevention

HAZARD

Phenomenon or situation, which has the potential to cause disruption or

damage to people, their property, their

services and their environment There is a

potential for

occurrence

of an event

DISASTER

The serious disruption of the functioning of

society, causing widespread human, material

or environmental losses, which exceed the

ability of the affected people to cope using

their own resources.

An event, either man-made or natural, sudden or

progressive, causing widespread human,

material or environmental losses

Vulnerability

Is a condition

or sets of

conditions that

reduces

peoples ability to prepare for,

withstand or

respond to a

hazard

Capacity

Those positive

condition or

abilities which

increase a

communitys ability to deal with

hazards.

The probability that a

communitys structure or

geographic area is to

be damaged or

disrupted by the

impact of a particular

hazard, on account of

their nature,

construction, and

proximity to a

hazardous area.

Risk

Hazard Vulnerability x Disaster Risk

Capacity

=

Hazard Vulnerability x Disaster Risk Capacity

=

Elements at Risk

Exposed Elements

Persons, buildings,

crops or other such like

societal components

exposed to known

hazard, which are likely

to be adversely

affected by the impact

of the hazard.

THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE

DISASTER

RESPONSE/RELIEF

REHABILITATION

RECONSTRUCTION

DEVELOPMENT

PREVENTION

MITIGATION

PREPAREDNESS

Response Actions taken

immediately

following the impact

of a disaster when

exceptional

measures are

required to meet the

basic needs of the

survivors.

Relief Measures that are

required in search and

rescue of survivors, as

well to meet the basic

needs for shelter,

water, food and health

care.

What is difference between

1. Recovery

2. Rehabilitation

3. Reconstruction

Preparedness

Mitigation

Reconstruction

Rehabilitation

Relief

Disaster

impact

Recovery phase 19

Recovery

The process

undertaken by a

disaster affected

community to fully

restore itself to

pre-disaster level

of functioning.

21

22

Rehabilitation Actions taken in the

aftermath of a

disaster to:

assist victims to repair their

dwellings;

re-establish essential services;

revive key economic and social activities

Reconstruction

Permanent

measures to repair

or replace damaged

dwellings and

infrastructure and to

set the economy

back on course.

Development

Sustained

efforts intended

to improve or

maintain the

social and

economic

well-being of a

community

Prevention

Measures taken to

avert a disaster

from occurring, if

possible (to

impede a hazard

so that it does not

have any harmful

effects).

Mitigation

Measures taken prior

to the impact of a

disaster to minimize

its effects

(sometimes referred

to as structural and

non-structural

measures).

Preparedness

Measures taken in

anticipation of a disaster

to ensure that

appropriate and effective

actions are taken in the

aftermath.

Measures taken

prior to the impact

of a disaster to

minimize its effects

(sometimes

referred to as

structural and non-

structural

measures).

Mitigation

Measures taken

to avert a disaster

from occurring, if

possible (to

impede a hazard

so that it does

not have any

harmful effects).

Prevention

Preparedness

Measures taken in

anticipation of a

disaster to ensure that

appropriate and

effective actions are

taken in the aftermath.

Measures taken

prior to the impact

of a disaster to

minimize its effects

(sometimes

referred to as

structural and non-

structural

measures).

Mitigation

Preparedness

Mitigation

Mitigation

Preparedness

Sand dune fixation with bushes and trees along the

coast line as barrier against surges and strong

winds

Where feasible, Mangove forest along

the sea shore

..for Life to continue.

_____________________________________________________

SRI - system of rice intensification-

reducing water demand and making

crops more resistant to extreme weather

events

Seed stores - Access to disaster- resistant seed and

plants

Cyclone shelters in coastal areas or flood

shelters along major rivers

Mock drill on emergency/first aid

Early warning: international, national and

on a community level

Seed and food stocks/storage systems

DRR Committees and communal actions

DRR Climate Change

Adaptation

Climate Change Adaptation and DRR

CC-adaptation

Does risk assessment in the first place

Looks at slow- and sudden-onset disasters

Has a long-term vision Takes the perpetrators of CC into account

Addresses GHG reduction (mitigation)

What is the difference

between DM and DRM

Disaster Management

A collective term

encompassing all

aspects of planning for

preparing and

responding to disasters.

It refers to the

management of the

consequences of

disasters.

Disaster Risk Management

A broad range of activities

designed to:

Prevent the loss of lives

Minimize human suffering

Inform the public and authorities of risk

Minimize property damage and economic loss

Speed up the recovery process

Disaster risk management - Stress on proactive

disaster management responses of prevention,

mitigation and preparedness

Prevent, reduce, transfer or live with disaster risk

Public safety, disaster resilience, sustainable development for all

THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE

DISASTER

RESPONSE

REHABILITATION

RECONSTRUCTION

DEVELOPMENT

PREVENTION

MITIGATION

PREPAREDNESS

Dis

ast

er R

isk

Ma

na

gem

ent

Conclusion Clear cut distinction between different terminologies

Difference between Preparedness, Mitigation, and Prevention,

Difference between Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

Difference between DM and DRM

Sharpen our knowledge about different terminologies

QUESTION & DISCUSSION