Any potential occurrence, in a specific time period and geographic region, of a natural phenomenon (e.g. flood, heavy rains, earthquake, and landslides) that may adversely affect human life, property, or activity to the extent of causing a total disruption is called “natural hazard”. The impact resulting from these phenomena becomes a disaster when it results in injuries, loss of life and of livelihoods, displacement, and damage to infrastructure; consequently, leaving the society handicapped to use its own resources. Hazards can be classified as major or minor based on cause, speed of onset and nature (natural/man made). Hazards can be anticipated in different regions according to the geographical nature of the area and climate characteristics.
Risk Identification and Disaster Preparedness
Risk is a possibility of exposure associated with any hazard/disaster which can make the area, communities, property, and environment more vulnerable (at risk). The process to identify the possible risk factors is called risk identification. Whereas disaster preparedness is the process of taking appropriate measures in anticipation of disaster and to take the appropriate and effective actions in the aftermath. It is achieved through community-based approaches and activities like mock drills, preparedness trainings, awareness raising sessions, etc. which builds the capacities of people and communities to cope with and minimize the effects of a disaster on their lives.
All planning and implementation of disaster preparedness actions are usually based on an assessment and prioritization of the hazards and risks that people face. This assessment consists of identification of particular geographical areas, their characteristics, potential severity, and frequency of the hazards, and communities most susceptible to specific hazards.
Measures for Disaster Risk Management
The most effective and practical way to raise awareness and change perceptions about potential risks, risk identification and disasters is by engaging individuals and groups in producing local community hazard, risk and capacity maps. These maps can be useful for showing the general pattern of risks threatening a certain population and the capacities they possess for overcoming those risks. Hazard maps assist in the preparation of plans which can reduce the danger in a community and in the identification of evacuation plans for risk areas. Community members, teachers, schoolchildren, social and health care workers, and others in a community can create these maps using the simplest of tools: colored pencils and paper. The information that is generated can be used to help plan risk reduction measures and initiatives for disaster preparedness. Separate maps should be created for different entities in the community e.g. schools, hospitals, market areas etc.
Family Disaster Plan
- As a family, developing and following a disaster family plan will reduce the damage caused by disasters. Structural changes at home and within home can prevent most of the fatal injuries during any hazardous event. Minor changes can save lives and provide opportunities to support others. To prepare one’s family disaster plan, prepare a checklist that consist of and refers to matters of most concern to oneself and to the family.
- Gather together members of a household and determine hazards that could lead to emergencies or disasters.
- Find out the kind of disasters that have previously occurred or may occur in the area.
- Determine safe places in the house / neighborhood for every kind of hazard.
- Discuss what should be done in case of such accidents.
- Draw a plan of the house to determine two separate exit routes from every room if possible.
- Let every member of the household learn how to shut off the electricity, water and gas supplies.
- Write emergency numbers and keep them handy. Learn when these numbers should be called, and how.
- Identify two close acquaintances living both within the city and outside the city. Learn the telephone numbers of these people, and ensure that the entire household is aware of them and that they should be called if family members are apart from one another during disasters.
- If the family members are not together during a disaster, determine two separate Disaster Meeting Points (DMP). Of these, one should be near the house, while the other should be far from the house; in case it is not possible to return home.
- Get information and train oneself and the family about disaster preparation and first aid courses.
- Learn and identify evacuation routes from the neighborhood.
- Find out how one can get special help for elderly, handicapped people and where and how to move incapacitated people because of disaster.
- During a disaster, the first people to rush to give aid will be the neighbors. Identify neighbors with whom mutual assistance can be exchanged.
- Place things that may be needed during the first few hours till a few days after a disaster (like a disaster kit of medical first aid, dry food, water, toilet needs, tools and other equipment) in an easily attainable place. Make all the preparations according to the area.
- The preparations vary as per the local setting, family composition, specific hazard or individual needs, and culture. Some examples are: for flood - life jacket, for rain - plastic sheeting/ face mask, for latrines – shovel, for building marking/messages - markers, paper and for babies - clothing, food, etc.
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