Understanding of Disaster
- 1. PREPARED BY:- DUSHYANT H. CHHATROLA Sub. :- Disaster Management UNDERSTANDING OF DISASTERS 1
- 2. Definitions: Disaster :- A disaster can be defined as any occurrence that cause damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health and health services on a scale, sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area”. (W.H.O.) “A disaster can be defined as an occurrence either nature or manmade that causes human suffering and creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance”. American Red Cross (ARC) 2
- 3. Emergency :- Emergency is a state in which normal procedures are suspended and extra-ordinary measures are taken in order to avert a disaster. An emergency can be defined in the context of the social, political and epidemiological circumstances in which it occurs. Hazard :- Hazard is a rare or extreme event in the natural or human made environment that adversely affects human life, property or activity to the extent of causing a disaster. It is essential to make a distinction between hazards and disasters, and to recognize that the effect of the former upon the latter is essentially a measure of the society’s vulnerability. 3
- 4. Mitigation :- Mitigation is permanent reduction of the risk of a disaster. Primary mitigation refers to reducing the resistance of the hazard and reducing vulnerability. Secondary mitigation refers to reducing the effects of the hazard (preparedness). Prevention :- 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. 4
- 5. Preparedness :- Preparedness are the measures that ensure the organized mobilization of personnel, funds, equipments and supplies within a safe environment for effective relief. Reconstruction :- The full resumption of socio-economic activities plus preventive measures. Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is the restoration of basic social functions. 5
- 6. Response :- Response is the set of activities implemented after the impact of a disaster in order to assess the needs, reduce the suffering, limit the spread and the consequences of the disaster, open the way to rehabilitation. Risk :- Risk is the expected losses (lives lost, persons injured, damages to property and disruption of economic activity) due to a particular hazard. Risk is the product of hazard and vulnerability. 6
- 7. Risk assessment :- Risk assessment is a term used widely for a systematic approach to characterizing the risks posed to individuals and populations by potentially adverse exposures. Susceptibility :- Susceptibility is exposure to danger. Vulnerability :- Vulnerability is the degree of loss resulting from a potentially damaging phenomenon. 7
- 8. TYPES OF DISASTERS Natural disasters Natural disasters occur as the result of action of the natural forces and tend to be accepted as unfortunate, but inevitable. The natural disasters result from forces of climate and geology. Natural disasters are perhaps the most “unexpected” and costly overall in terms of loss of human lives and resources. In the last few years, natural disasters have claimed 100,000 lives costing above 140 billion US dollars. 8
- 9. • Human (technological) causes The technological or manmade disasters result from some human activities, such as explosions, fires, the release of toxic chemicals or radioactive materials, bridge or building collapse, crashes, dam or levee failure, nuclear reactor accidents, breaks in water, gas, or sewer lines, deforestation, war, etc. Technological disasters tend to involve many more casualties than natural disasters of the same magnitude of energy release. 9
- 10. Phases of Disasters:- 1. Pre-emergency phase The period before the disaster strikes may be used to assess how often a particular community is exposed to different risks (risk mapping) and how good is their preparedness. 2. Impact and flight phase When a disaster strikes the hazard (fire, earthquake, floods, conflicts, etc) may trigger the displacement of large number of people from their homes. How long this phase lasts depends on the type of disaster, the number people affected and the distance they must travel to find sanctuary. 10
- 11. 3. Acute phase This phase begins immediately after the impact of the disaster and marked by intense, often reactive activities by many humanitarian agencies responding to media reports of very high death rate (may be 5-60 times the normal death rate). 4. Post emergency phase The population movement usually slows down. This enables critical services to be properly established and maintained. 11
- 12. 5. Repatriation phase After the emergency situation is over, displaced people are expected to return to their place of origin either on their own or with the help of relief agencies. Repatriation may be either forced or voluntary. 6. Rehabilitation or reconstruction phase Once permanent solution is obtained, the focus shifts from relief to development. The aim is to help the affected community become self-reliant. 12
- 13. Characteristics Of Disaster Predictability Controllability Speed of onset Length of forewarning Duration of impact Scope and intensity of impact 13
- 14. Disaster Management “A disaster can be defined as any occurrence that cause damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health and health services on a scale, sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area”. (W.H.O.) “A disaster can be defined as an occurrence either nature or manmade that causes human suffering and creates human needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance”. American Red Cross (ARC) 14
- 15. Principles of Disaster management Disaster management is the responsibility of all spheres of government Disaster management should use resources that exist for a day-to-day purpose. Organizations should function as an extension of their core business. Individuals are responsible for their own safety. Disaster management planning should focus on large-scale events. 15
- 16. Phases of Disaster Management Disaster Preparedness Disaster impact Disaster Response Rehabilitation Disaster Mitigation 16
- 17. Disaster preparedness Preparedness should be in the form of money, manpower and materials Evaluation from past experiences about risk Location of disaster prone areas Organization of communication, information and warning system Ensuring co-ordination and response mechanisms Development of public education programme Co-ordination with media 17
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- 19. Disaster response Epidemiologic surveillance and disease control Vaccination Nutrition Rehabilitation phase Water supply Food safety Basic sanitation and personal hygiene Vector control 19
- 20. Disaster mitigation This involves lessening the likely effects of emergencies. These include depending upon the disaster, protection of vulnerable population and structure. Similarly ensuring the safety of health facilities and public health services including water supply and sewerage system to reduce the cost of rehabilitation and reconstruction 20
- 21. THANK YOU 21