DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

What is Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)?

 Disaster Risk Reduction is: ‘Actions taken to reduce the risk of disasters
and the adverse impacts of natural hazards, through systematic efforts to
analyze and manage the causes of disasters, including through avoidance
of hazards, reduced social and economic vulnerability to hazards, and
improved preparedness for adverse events’
- UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)

 The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities

to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to
avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse
impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development.
- United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Steps for Implementing DRR Strategy

1. Ensure that DRR is a national and local priority with strong institutional basis
for implementation.
2. Identify, assess, and monitor disaster risks – and enhance early warning.
3. Use knowledge, innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and
resilience at all levels.
4. Reduce the underlying risk factors.
5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective implementation at all levels.
- (Hyoga Framework of Action, adopted in UNWCDR, Hyoga, Japan in 2005)
Components of Disaster Risk Reduction

1. Mitigation
- Measures to be taken before and after an event
2. Preparedness
- Measures to be taken before an event
3. Response
- Measures to be taken during and immediately after an event
4. Recovery
- Post disaster measures
 Disaster Prevention or Disaster Reduction

– Disaster prevention aims at avoiding disasters, which, unfortunately is

not possible at all times;
• Prevention is defined as those activities taken to prevent a natural
phenomenon or potential hazard from having harmful effects on
either people or economic assets.
• Prevention planning is based on two issues: hazard identification
(identifying the actual threats facing a community) and
vulnerability assessment
– Disaster reduction seeks to reduce or limit the severity of disasters;

– Disaster reduction in the broad sense includes disaster prevention.

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 1. Mitigation
What is Mitigation?
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of
disasters. It is permanent reduction of the risk of a disaster. Mitigation lessens the likelihood
and severity of disaster by implementing sustained actions, such as improved construction
practice, to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property. Mitigation of hazard
impacts reduces the possibility of disaster and reduces the need for assistance.

Mitigation includes recognizing that disasters will occur; attempts are made to reduce the
harmful effects of a disaster, and to limit their impact on human suffering and economic
assets.
Types of Mitigation
1. Primary Mitigation:
Primary mitigation refers to increasing the resistance to the hazard and reducing
vulnerability.
2. Secondary Mitigation:
Secondary mitigation refers to reducing the effects of the hazard (preparedness).
 Various Approaches / Strategies of Disaster Mitigation
1) Risk Identification
The first step in disaster mitigation is to identify areas that are at risk to hazard. Once the
priority zones have been identified, comprehensive and integrated risk reduction programs
should be initiated.
2) Land-Use Planning
Land-use planning includes the mapping of disaster prone area which should contain
number of livestock per unit area, crop density, population density, road network, location of
shelter etc.
3) Structural and Non-Structural
Mitigation measures may involve construction (e.g. dykes and flood protection walls, and
also ecosystem-based approaches to flood and erosion control, such as planting mangrove
forests) and non-material measures (e.g. land-use restrictions in flood risk areas).
4) Disaster relief and Rehabilitation
Supply emergency humanitarian aid to victims for survival and relocate the people whose
residence have been destroyed very badly, inappropriate for living.
5) Disaster Management Training and Education
Trained up group of personnel need to be formed in local, national and regional context to
mitigate and reduce disaster risk and damages.
6) Role of Media in Disaster Risk Reduction
Media is the effective means to circulate the news and bulletins about hazard warning and
mitigation processes, Organizations Providing relief.
7) Institutional Capacity Building
Several institutional bodies are engaged with disaster mitigation processes such as local
community, organization, local and national government, NGOs, international organization
etc. Ability and capacity of those institutions should be as high as they are capable to
mitigate the disaster.
 2. Disaster Preparedness
Preparedness refers t o the measures that ensure the organized mobilization of personnel,
funds, equipment, and supplies within a safe environment for effective relief. Preparedness
lessens the severity of disasters by preparing people for disaster, developing plans to ensure
an effective response and recovery and training people to implement plans after a disaster occurs.
Preparedness Includes:
1) Forecasting and Warning for Different Hazards.
2) Emergency Preparedness
- Organized personnel for monitoring, alert and evacuation
- Medical team
- Search and rescue team
- Availability of food reserve
- Emergency monetary fund and seed reserve
- Distribution of disaster supplies and equipment
3) Education, Training and Public Awareness
 Weather Forecast and Early Warning
Forecast
Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the
atmosphere for a given location at certain time. Weather forecasts are made by collecting
quantitative data about the current state of the atmosphere at a given place and using
scientific understanding of atmospheric processes to project how the atmosphere will change.
Tools
Various types of tools like Barometer, Radiosonde, Satellite (Geostationary and Polar Orbit),
Radar, and other equipments.
Early Warning System
Early warning is a major element of disaster risk reduction. It prevents loss of life and reduces
the economic and material impact of disasters. E arly warning systems can be used to detect a
wide range of events, such as vehicular collisions, missile launches, disease outbreaks, and so
forth.
To be effective, early warning systems need to actively involve the communities at risk, facilitate
public education and awareness of risks, effectively disseminate alerts, and warnings and ensure
there is constant state of preparedness.
Tasks Related to Early Warning
1) Communication
2) Indigenous Knowledge
3) Media
4) Instruction
Types of Early Weather and Forecasting: Based on Duration
1) Short Range: 48 – 72 Hours (e.g. Cyclone, Hurricane, Bombing, Flood etc.)
2) Medium Range: 3 Days to 3 Weeks (e.g. Cold and Heat Wave, Floods etc.)
3) Long Range: Over a Season
Types of Early Weather and Forecasting: Based on Purposes
1) Aviation
2) Shipping
3) Local
4) Agricultural Base
 Level of Preparedness
1) Family
2) Community
- Volunteering activities
- Protesting environmental degradation
- Awareness building
- Emergency steps
3) National: Developing principles and laws, executing rules, funding etc.
4) International / Regional: Seminar, Conference, Exchange of Technology and knowledge.
 3. Response

Disaster response is the implementing phase of the disaster preparedness step. The focus in
the response phase is on meeting the basic needs of the people until more permanent and
sustainable solutions can be found.

To be ready for response with capability to provide rapid and efficient medical, rescue and
emergency supplies, and equipment to those in need, following steps of task should be
implemented:
1. Mobilization
2. Assessment
3. Requirement Analysis
4. Rescue and Evacuation
5. Emergency Assistance (e.g. medical care, shelter, distribution of food, water and
supplies)
 4. Recovery
Disaster recovery (DR) involves a set of policies and procedures to enable the recovery or
continuation of vital technology infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-
induced disaster. In other words, recovery is implementation of actions to promote
sustainable redevelopment following a disaster, including new building code standards and
land-use planning controls.
Recovery consists of:
1. Rehabilitation
2. Reconstruction (During reconstruction it is absolutely necessary to consider mitigation
measures including relocation, land use zoning etc.)
- Rebuilding of house and public buildings
- Financing for rebuilding
- Repair of roads, bridge, water system etc.
3. Psychological counseling
4. Long-term assistance to rebuild the community.
 Hazard Risk Vulnerability Analysis
• Hazard Risk Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA) is a highly technical process typically undertaken by
specialist professionals with advanced educational qualifications and vast field experience.
• Some of the advantages of carrying out HRVA include:
• Communities can develop effective warning and evacuation systems
• Community planning initiatives can factor in potential risks to housing stock and economic
activities
• Equipped with an understanding of a community’s vulnerability to a particular hazard,
mitigation projects can reduce the risk of a disaster and its consequences
• Well-informed communities are well-prepared communities and can collectively work towards
preventing potential disaster-induced losses
However, it is also important to remember that planning for hazards that are unlikely to
occur and hazards that will have little impact could be a waste of time and resources.
 Hazard Risk Vulnerability Analysis
• Preparation of hazard and exposure database
• Mapping vulnerable population
• Understanding building vulnerability
• Exposure database
• Risk Assessment
• Risk reduction measures-----Literature on risk reduction measures can be sourced
from the World Bank, UNISDR, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), and other websites
• Agencies involved in HRVA
 India Meteorological Department (IMD)
 Geological Survey of India (GSI)
 Central Water Commission (CWC)
 Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC)
 National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)
 Trend Analysis and Research Unit (TARU) Gujarat
 Risk Management Solutions India RMSI
 Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)
Model designs and application of hazard resistance in construction
The basic design consideration for increasing hazard resistance of houses should include the following:
Earthquake
• Frame, or bands at different places (plinth, lintel and roof)
• Shear walls
• Cross bracing
• Base isolation (shock absorption)
• Brick joinery
Flood
• Raised plinth / building on stilts
• Strong plinth
• Water proofing of houses
Cyclone
• Suitable location to minimize wind force
• Roof tied to walls
• Firm fixing of building components together
(foundations, walls, roof structure and roof
covering)
• Improved aerodynamics of the structure
• Long root bearing plant trees as wind breakers
Landslide
• Proper site selection
• Design of retaining walls
International Response
(Hyogo Framework for Action’s (HFA) Strategic Goals) 2005-2015

• Constitutes the vision of UNISDR;

1. Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into sustainable

development policies and planning;

2. Developing and strengthening Institutions, mechanisms and

capacities to build resilience to hazards;

3. Incorporating risk reduction approaches into emergency

preparedness, response, and recovery programmes.
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 International Response
• International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR, 1990 – 1999) to
increase awareness of the importance of disaster reduction (Resolution 44/236 of 22
December, 1989);

• Conceptual shift from disaster response to disaster reduction underscoring the crucial
role of human action;

• The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction was established by
the General Assembly in 2000 (Res. 54/219);
– To serve as the focal point in the UN for coordination of disaster reduction;
– To ensure synergies among the disaster – reduction activities of the UN systems
and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian
fields;
– To facilitate and monitor the implementation of the global blueprint for disaster risk
reduction (The Hyogo Framework for Action (“HFA”) by ISDR system partners).

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 International Response…

• The HFA was adopted at the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Reduction by 168
Governments, as a ten-year strategy to make the world safer from natural disasters;

• HFA has five specific Priorities for Action:

– Making disaster risk reduction a priority;
– Improving risk information and early warning;
– Building a culture of safety and resilience;
– Reducing the risks in key sectors;
– Strengthening preparedness for response.

• In 2008, the post of UN Special Representative of the Secretary – General for

Disaster Risk Reduction was created.

(Current Representative is Margareta Elizabeth Wahlstrom).

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 ISDR Framework for Action

• ISDR revolves around three major concepts:

– Natural Hazards;

– Vulnerability (determined by several factors: hazard awareness, the

condition of human settlements and infrastructure, public policy and
administration, and organized abilities in all fields of disaster
management);

– Risk of a disaster is the probability of disaster occurring (evaluation

of risk includes vulnerability assessment and impact prediction).
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 Disaster Risk – Poverty Nexus
• Disaster have a proportionate impact on the poor, particularly in developing countries;

– High mortality and economic loss risks.

• Countries with small and vulnerable economies;

– Small Island Developing States (SIDs);
(Small population/lack of resources/ remoteness/ susceptibility to natural disasters/excessive
dependence in international trade/vulnerability to global development – Antigua, Arubi, Bahamas,
Barbados, Guinea Bissau, Cyprus, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Dominica, Malta)

– Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs);

(1) Low resilience to loss;
(2) Highest economic vulnerability;
(3) Low participation in world markets;
(4) Low export diversification.

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 Nature of Cities (The Disaster Nexus)

• Where well managed

(1) Lifeline of society & engines of economic growth;

(2) Centres of technology and innovation;

(3) Living evidence of our cultural heritage.

• Where not well managed

(1) Generators of new vulnerabilities adding risk to disasters (lack of access to

basic facilities, failed infrastructure, environmental degradation, challenges of
climate change).
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Guiding Principles for Implementing Disaster Risk Reduction

• Provision of assistance should be informed by 3 basic

humanitarian principles:

– Neutrality;

– Humanity;

– Impartiality.
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 Holistic and Strategic Approach

• Holistic and Strategic Approach of HFA must be based on:

– Community Participation in the design & implementation of activities;

– States have a primary responsibility for implementing measures to reduce

disaster risk;

– Disaster risk reduction must be integrated into development activities

(translating and linking knowledge of a full-range of hazard into disaster and
risk management);

– A multi-hazards approach can improve effectiveness;

– Capacity development (communities and individuals) is a central strategy for

reducing risk; 26
– Decentralize responsibility and resources for disaster risk reduction
(provincial, municipal and local levels);

– Gender is a core factor in disaster risk and in the reduction of risk

(differing risk profiles for women and men in a disaster);
 Low-income and those who are marginalized
(age/marriage/caste/social stigma) are especially disadvantaged;
 Women at grass-roots level are often well positioned to manage
risk.

– Public private partnerships are an important tool for disaster risk

reduction;

– Disaster risk reduction needs to be customized to a particular setting

(… think global, act local…). 27
 Holistic Approaches, Strategies & Institutional Frameworks

• Holistic Approach and Preparedness

– Realistic and measurable objectives;
– Must be able to strengthen and maintain disaster preparedness capabilities;

• National Institutional and Legislative Frameworks

– National legislative framework must detail preparedness, response and
recovery roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders;
– Articulate clear funding mechanisms which will regularly be updated;
– Details must be widely disseminated through appropriate channels, local
language and media;
– Must be consistently implemented (interagency protocol and protocols
regarding external assistance);
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– Be clear on civil-military relations, strengthening capacity and
decision making on warning dissemination;

– Institutional arrangements must be reflected in local/state and

national legislation with indication of who has overall responsibility in
a disaster;

– National legislation must be compatible regionally (prior bi-lateral and

regional agreements on mutual assistance should be signed in
relation to events that exceeds national capacities or crosses
international borders).

– National legislations must be consistent with international law and

human rights law.
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• Coordination at the Local, National, Regional, and International
Level

– A well functional disaster coordination mechanism must be put in

place with clear policies and procedures and in which all entities
are clear about their roles and responsibilities;

– Close coordination and information exchange among active

organizations (Government, Civil Society, Regional
Organizations, International Actors).
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 Key Components in Preparedness Planning

• Contingency Planning that includes an in-depth analysis of hazard risk,

vulnerability and capacity is developed and regularly updated;

• Capacity Analysis and Capacity Building – all organizations, persons and

volunteers responsible for maintaining preparedness are equipped and trained
for effective disaster preparedness and response;

• Hazard Monitoring, Forecasting and Early Warning (scientific information and

risk knowledge);

• Information Management and Communication

– Public information management
– Data management
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 Readiness for Response

• Emergency Services and Stand-by Arrangements

– Multi-stakeholder response mechanisms are developed and tested based on
the contingency plan, enabling efficient action during times of emergency;

– Incorporating Early Recovery into Preparedness Planning

 Humanitarian assistance is vital to reducing loss of life and suffering;

 Integration of early recovery activities with life saving interventions can

lead to more sustainable interventions;

 Skilled people with experience in early recovery must be included during

the development of a preparedness capability.
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 Readiness for Response…

• The wide range of actors that must be involved are:

– Relevant Government Ministries, including departments responsible
for developmental activities;
– Government local authorities in zones of high disaster risk;
– Finance, planning and infrastructure departments;
– Public and private service utilities (electricity, water supply etc);
– Local NGOs and community based organizations in the identified
high risk zones;
– Private businesses located in the high risk zones;
– Association of professionals such as engineers and architects;
– Media networks.
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Readiness for Response…

• Resource Allocation and funding

– Financial reserves and emergency funding mechanisms are in
place to support effective preparedness, response and early
recovery as required;

– Effective allocation of the funds;

– Arrangements to replenish funds allocated.

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Instruments for Implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Development control regulations and byelaws
• Structural design
• Multi-hazard proofing
• Supervision and quality control
• Expansion of buildings
• Maintenance of buildings
• Improving public awareness
• Engagement of local stakeholders through participatory process
• Incentives for safety features and retrofitting
• Risk informed planning
• Risk sensitive budgeting
• Capacity Building for DRR
• Ensuring safety and functionality of critical infrastructure and
evacuation points
The Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient developed at the launch of the Campaign in
order to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk
Reduction (2015-2030) at local level are:
Essential One: Organise for Disaster Resilience
Essential Two: Identify, Understand and Use Current and Future Risk Scenarios
Essential Three: Strengthen Financial Capacity for Resilience
Essential Four: Pursue Resilient Urban Development and Design
Essential Five: Safeguard Natural Buffers to Enhance Ecosystems’ Protective
Functions
Essential Six: Strengthen Institutional Capacity for Resilience
Essential Seven: Understand and Strengthen Societal Capacity for Resilience
Essential Eight: Increase Infrastructure Resilience
Essential Nine: Ensure Effective Disaster Response
Essential Ten: Expedite Recovery and Build Back Better