DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION

INTRODUCTION:
Disasters are emergencies that cannot be handled by those affected without outside
assistance. They are caused by natural or man- made events wherein communities
experience severe danger and incur loss of lives and properties causing disruption to their
social structure and to all or some of the affected communities’ essential functions.
MEANING:
Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and
reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as
well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them.
CONCEPT: 
Hazard-potentially damaging physical event
Exposure-the elements present in hazardous zones
Elements at risk-people or buildings that are exposed to known hazards
Capacity-the positive strengths and attributes within a community to respond to a disaster
Vulnerability-the negative attributes and weaknesses which increase the likelihood of having
a hazard
Risk-probability of harmful consequences
Risk=Hazard x Vulnerability / Capacity
Disaster-serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society
Prevention-limitation of the adverse impact of disaster
Mitigation- taken in advance of a hazard impact aimed at reducing its impact on society and
environment.
Preparedness-knowledge and capacities developed by governments and organizations
Development- sustained efforts to improve or maintain the social and economic well-being
of a society or community
Response-the provision of emergency services immediately after a disaster
Recovery-actions taken after a disaster to restore the pre-disaster conditions of the
community
Rehabilitation- measures undertaken to restore affected communities/areas to their proper
or normal level of functioning
Relief- measures in search and rescue of survivors, as well as meeting the basic needs for
shelter, food and water for the victims
Reconstruction-permanent measures to repair or replace damaged buildings to set the
economy back to course
Climate Change Adaptation and DRRCC-Adaptation- does risk assessment in the first
place, has a long term vision, and takes the perpetration of CC into account
Disaster Risk Management-does a broad range of activities such as to prevent the loss of
life, minimize damage, inform the public of disasters, and speed ups recovery processes
Disaster Management- a collective term encompassing all aspects of planning, preparing,
and responding to disasters
NATURE:
A sudden, calamitous event, bringing great damage loss, destruction and
devastation to life and property. An event, either human –made or natural, becomes a
disaster when it is sudden or progressive, causing widespread human, material or
environmental losses. Example of disasters are earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons
and cyclones.
EFFECT:
Every year, millions of people are affected by both human-caused and natural
disasters. Disasters may be explosions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, or fires.
In a disaster, you face the danger of death or physical injury. You may also lose your home,
possessions, and community. Such stressors place you at risk for emotional and physical
health problems.