4. Disaster
Disaster occurs when a hazard hits a vulnerable community with low capacity, resulting in damage, loss, and serious disruption of community functioning. It happens when the human, material and environmental losses are so widespread they exceed the community’s ability to cope using only its own resources. 5. Disaster risk
The likelihood of a hazard striking a vulnerable community, causing injury, damage and loss The bigger the vulnerability, the bigger the disaster risk (DR); The bigger the capacity, the smaller the disaster risk (dr). Disaster Risk = Hazard X Vulnerability Capacity 6. Elements at risk
Who and what can be damaged: People (their lives and health) Household and community structures (houses, community center, school) Community facilities and services (access roads, bridges, hospital, electricity, water supply) Livelihood and economic activities (jobs, crops, livestock, equipment) The environment (natural resources base)
D ISASTER M ANAGEMENT : O BJECTIVES A ND A CTIVITIES 1. Disaster Management
covers all activities that contribute to increasing capacities and reducing immediate and long-term vulnerabilities. Covers activities before, during and after a disaster. includes a range of activities designed to maintain control over the disaster and emergency situations and to provide a framework for helping persons at risk avoid or recover from the impact of the disaster. 2. Objectives
a. To increase capacities and resilience b. To reduce vulnerabilities c. To avoid or reduce human, physical and economic losses suffered by individuals, families, the community and the country d. To reduce personal suffering e. To provide protection to refuges or displaced persons whose lives are threatened by armed conflicts f. To speed up recovery after a disaster.
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