Introduction
A disaster is a destructive event that originates either from man-made or natural causes. A natural disaster is caused by a natural force, such as a tornado, earthquake, or hurricane. Man-made disasters may occur as an accident that destroys human resources. Disaster preparedness involves both physical and mental awareness and preparation to meet basic needs without any help. Unplanned construction, climatic change, increasing population, and poverty-driven areas are exposed to disaster. Mechanisms and improved practice can save lives and strengthen the community to decrease the impact of the disaster. All implementation and planning of any disaster should be based on prioritization and assessment of people's risk during any disaster.
What Is Disaster?
A disaster is a sudden accident that occurs over a short or long period that causes material, economic, human, or environmental loss. It sometimes exceeds the ability of the community or society affected to cope using their resources. Disasters can be man-made or naturally occurring. Disaster sometimes creates a negative impact on life.
How Are Disasters Classified?
Disasters are classified into various types:
1. Natural Disaster: It is a naturally occurring phenomenon and can be categorized as:
-
Geophysical: A hazard originates from solid earth, such as landslides, volcanic activity, or earthquakes.
-
Hydrological: It is caused by the movement, distribution, and occurrence of water on earth, such as avalanches and floods.
-
Meteorological: Refers to weather conditions such as storms and cyclones.
-
Climatological: Refers to climatic conditions such as wildfires and drought.
-
Biological: It is caused by exposure to toxic substances in living organisms.
2. Man-made Disasters: These are accidents caused by humans and associated closely with human settlements. They include conflict, industrial accidents, complex emergencies, pollution, environmental degradation, and transport accidents.
What Do People Experience After a Disaster?
When people undergo a disaster, they may experience different reactions, which is a natural response to rapid accidents. A state of resilience is seen in most people after a disaster. Resilience is the ability to endure a difficult situation, the ability to cope and bounce back. It is ordinary and can recover. Stress is another common emotional reaction shown by an affected person after exposure to a disaster. It is important to monitor the mental and physical health of a person who is affected by the disaster.
What Is Disaster Preparedness?
Disaster preparedness is the measure of goals coordinated by organizations, governments, individuals, or communities to cope and respond to the effects of a disaster that is natural or man-made. The aim is to be prepared for the worst situation.
The challenge of disaster preparedness planning is to maintain systemic capacities such as plans, legislation, procedures, coordination mechanisms, institutional capacities, and budgets.
What Are the Strategies for Disaster Preparedness?
The strategies of disaster preparedness that increase and strengthen the effectiveness of emergency response include evacuation procedures, search and rescue, and assessment teams.
-
Information priorities and processes for emergency response.
-
Preparation for emergency response centers and shelters.
-
Procedures for activating emergency outputs for harbor, airport, and land transport.
-
Preparation of arrangements or storage for rapid state of emergency relief equipment and supply.
What Consists of a Disaster Supplies Kit?
The primary emergency supply kit consists of the following:
-
Water.
-
Food.
-
Flashlight.
-
Whistle.
-
First aid kit.
-
Battery.
-
Eye wash solution.
-
Scissors and tweezers.
-
Plastic sheeting and duct tape.
-
Moist towelettes for personal sanitation.
-
Wrench or pliers.
-
Medicines such as pain relievers, antacids, and anti-diarrhea medication.
-
Fire extinguisher.
-
Warm blanket and sleeping bags.
What Are Tips for Disaster Preparedness?
1. Before a Disaster:
-
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid from a safety community organization.
-
Check the foundation and stability of the house.
-
Preparing an emergency kit with water, flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, and sanitation supplies.
-
Conduct safety drill programs.
-
Learn to shut off water, gas, and electricity in case of broken lines.
2. During a Disaster:
-
Follow the directions ordered by the community locals in the area when a disaster occurs.
-
Unplug the appliances, and turn off the water, gas, and electricity supply.
-
Move or elevate furniture to a safe place if time permits.
-
Lock the house and leave.
3. After a Disaster:
-
Check on elderly and disabled people and stay calm.
-
Use a flashlight to check for surroundings.
-
Take pictures of damage caused both inside and outside the house to claim insurance.
What Are the Approaches of Disaster Preparedness?
The various approaches to disaster preparedness are as follows:
-
Orientation: Aims to discuss the internal and external risks before the disaster.
-
Assessment: To identify the area of improvement for self-assessment, review, or disaster simulations.
-
Prioritization and Analysis: Narrow down the area of work to focus on and analyze.
-
Workplan: It is based on the analysis that includes activities, output, outcomes, timelines, targets, and a clear framework.
-
Action and Accountability: Putting work plans into action, continuous monitoring, and progress reporting.
What Are the Components of a Community Preparedness Plan?
The components of a community preparedness plan are:
-
Physical Safety: It is to measure the mechanical strength of the structure to view any chances of physical danger or accident.
-
Hazard Awareness: It is about the hazards that have a reasonably high probability of hazard occurrence.
-
Organization Preparedness: Refers to community disaster management plans made by the community.
-
Infrastructure and Service: Measures the state of restoration after a disaster.
-
Recovery Ability: The ability to recover from the impact of a hazard by community members.
-
Physical Environment: It is preparing for the environmental state during any disaster.
-
Social Capital: Refers to the involvement of social networking and cooperation among community members.
-
Psychological Preparedness: Refers to safety and assured mind conveyance by community members.
-
Cultural Capital: Such as recognition, existence, and traditional mechanisms to cope with disaster.
Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) - What is it?
PER is a systematic or cyclical approach to National society to know about systematic assessment, to measure, and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of its response system to take remaining actions.
The main aim is that the National Societies should continuously improve their ability to respond to disasters. The response should be timely, appropriate, well-coordinated, relevant, and effective.
Why Is PER Important?
PER helps in that cities, communities, and individuals who are threatened by natural or other hazards to act in sufficient time and properly to lower the injury, loss of life, and destruction of property and fragile environments.
How are we Helping?
PER approach involves five phases:
Orientation: In this phase, the National societies are asked which internal and external risks and hazards they would like to prioritize or organize.
Assessment: In this phase, the current response system is checked to recognize areas for development. This can be achieved by performing self-assessment, disaster simulations, or reviews obtained during or following an operation.
Prioritization and Analysis: In this phase, the National Societies try to identify which areas they need to focus and performs analysis to recognize the obstacles to overcome.
Workplan: Based on the findings, the National societies develop a road map to increase its capacity of response. This includes outcomes, outputs, activities, timelines, targets, and a clear accountability frame work.
Action and Accountability: This phase involves the National societies put their work plan into action with continuous monitoring. They report their progress in the long term.
Conclusion
Disaster affects many people on a personal, local community, business, or national level. Disaster is a stressful situation that triggers fear, uncertainty, panic, and confusion. Safety is a significant concern during and post-disaster. Disaster preparedness and planning are critical factors in reducing societal disaster effects. The golden rule for disaster management is to increase awareness, develop plans, and practice them. Preparedness measures include memorandums of understanding, conducting disaster exercises to reinforce training, testing capabilities, and developing mutual aid agreements.
