Disaster Management

Disaster Management: An Analysis of Major Perspectives and Practices

There are many forms of risks that can either result from natural hazards or cause environmental degradation — human activities. Disaster management is a necessity in order to see those events’ effects limited and that the society is capable and prepared to take appropriate actions in a speedy fashion and in an effective manner. This article delineates the major aspects of disaster management, the measures, and the roles of preparedness, response and recovery.

What is Disaster Management?
Disaster management is the set of administrative actions that include planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing activities to bring about order after a disaster. It includes actors and actions whose ultimate purpose is to lessen the effects of disasters, strengthen capabilities to cope with them, and achieve timely restoration. Disaster management spans the entirety of the cycle and has various components such as: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Phases of Disaster Management
Mitigation

This activity seeks to eliminate or lessen the chances of disasters occurring or their effects. Such activities are aimed at reducing the impact of potential disasters from occurring or to limited proportions. Mitigation strategies of these risks include designing and constructing earthquake resistant structures, construction of floodwalls and levees, installation of early warning systems, and appropriate land use planning that ensures new developments are not placed in the hazard prone