Disaster Management Aspects
Is the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from the impacts of likely, imminent or current disasters. Preparedness is based on a sound analysis of disaster risks and good linkages with early warning systems, and includes such activities as contingency planning, the stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination, evacuation and public information, and associated training and field exercises. Preparedness aims to build the capacities needed to efficiently manage all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions from response to sustained recovery (UNDRR).
Is the lessening or minimizing of the adverse impacts of a hazardous event. Mitigation measures include engineering techniques and hazard-resistant construction as well as improved environmental and social policies and public awareness. Mitigation is different from prevention, which aims to avoid the occurrence of a hazardous event (UNDRR). In climate change policy, mitigation refers to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that are the source of climate change (UNFCCC). Mitigation is one of the four priorities of action in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030(UNDRR).
Is the actions taken directly before, during or immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected1. Response is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and is sometimes called disaster relief. Response relies on disaster risk-informed preparedness measures, such as contingency planning, early warning systems, emergency services and public assistance. Response also aims to achieve orderly transitions from response to sustained recovery. Response is one of the four priorities of action in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (UNDRR).
Is the restoring or improving of livelihoods and health, as well as economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets, systems and activities, of a disaster-affected community or society, aligning with the principles of sustainable development and “build back better”, to avoid or reduce future disaster risk. Recovery is one of the four priorities of action in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (UNDRR).
Is the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Adaptation can be anticipatory or reactive, private or public, and autonomous or planned. Adaptation is one of the key strategies to reduce disaster risk and enhance resilience to climate change impacts (UNDRR).
Is the continuous or periodic observation and measurement of hazardous phenomena to provide information for analysis and early warning. Hazard monitoring is an essential component of an early warning system, which is an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, communication and preparedness activities, systems and processes that enables individuals, communities, governments, businesses, and others to take timely action to reduce disaster risks in advance of hazardous events. Hazard monitoring can be done using traditional environmental indicators such as wind direction, animal behaviours etc or through modern day technologies, such as remote sensing, ground-based sensors, surveys etc. (UNDRR).