Disaster Management

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Prior to the occurrence of any disaster and even subsequent to the occurrence of any disaster, mitigation involves analysing and reducing risk by insuring against risk. This enables a reduction in human and financial consequences later. Effective mitigation measures involves an understanding of local risks and invest in long-term community well being. The goal of disaster mitigation is to: Avoid or reduce potential losses from hazards Assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster Achieve rapid and effective recovery Typically, in the disaster management cycle, all the activities concerned to mitigation occur between the recovery and risk reduction stage. Disaster mitigation refers to all actions to reduce the impact of a disaster that can be taken prior to its occurrence including preparedness and long term risk reduction measures. It includes planning and implem...

FACTORS OF DISASTERS   The magnitude of each disaster, measured in deaths, damage, or costs increases with the increased marginalization of the population. This is caused by a high birthrate, problems of land tenure and economic opportunity, and the incorrect allocation of resources to meet the basic human needs of an expanding population. As the population increases, there is a competetion for land resources and the best land is taken up and those seeking land for farming or housing are forced to accept inadequate land. These issues are subsequently discussed in detail. Poverty The most important single influence on the impact of a disaster is poverty. Disaster studies show that the wealthiest of the population either survive the disaster unaffected or are able to recover quickly. Poverty generally makes people vulnerable to the impact of hazards. People in urban areas are forced to live on hills that are prone to landslides, people settle near volcanoes or rivers that in...