An overview of consequences of natural disaster and methods to reduce vulnerability. Risk management, mitigation, and preparedness through risk mapping and infrastructure design are highlighted.
12. Vulnerability to Disasters
• The degree to which society is threatened
• Results from human action
• Results from situations, i.e. poverty
13. Degree of Vulnerability Depends On:
• Existing Infrastructure
• Condition of Human Settlements
• Public Policy and Disaster Management
• Information and Education
20. Definitions
• Disaster Reduction – measures designed to
avoid or limit adverse impacts through:
• Prevention – avoidance of the adverse impact
• Mitigation – measures taken to limit the
adverse impact
• Preparedness – measures taken in advance to
ensure effective responses
21. Disaster Reduction
Prevention Mitigation
• Planning • Retrofitting existing
• Avoidance measures buildings
• Zoning • Flood-control measures
• Training
Preparedness • Legislation
• Effective evacuation system
• Regular testing of warning
systems
22. Risk Mapping
• Mapping the community or area of risk
• Includes schools, hospitals, churches, fire
stations, police stations, municipal buildings
• Shows hazardous buildings
• Uses distinctive symbols
• May include significant infrastructure and
disaster prone features
24. Mainstreaming
• Considers risks when planning development
• Considers risks when allocating financial
resources
• Sustainability
25. Disaster Strategies
• Infrastructure Design – roads, utilities, health
facilities, schools
• Retrofitting Existing Structures
• Siting of buildings and infrastructure
• Building codes and regulations
26. Risk Management
• Education of the public and government
officials
• Effective disaster management
• Improving vulnerability factors:
Reforesting, improving soil conditions,
sustainable human settlements
28. Reallocation of Public Resources
• Policy Framework
– Careful planning minimizes delays
– Minimizes disruption
– Developed prior to disaster = rapid response
• Prioritized Investment Projects
– Allows for reallocations away from lower-priority
projects
29. Reallocation of Public Resources
• Current and Reliable Information
– Availability of Resources
– Information on financial status of agencies
– Financial impact on planned spending and
revenue as a result of disaster
– New revenue requirements as a result of disaster
30. Understanding Economic Vulnerability
• Macroeconomic Risk Assessment – National
– Understanding linkages overall
– Minimizing adverse impacts on priority areas
– Protecting the poor; Poverty reduction caused by
disaster
• Regular Re-assessment of Hazard Risk
– Needs change due to rapid growth and
development
31. Understanding Economic Vulnerability
• Improved Impact Assessment
– Future risk reductions
– Better management
– Understanding of public costs for future initiatives
• Improved Documentation of Expenditures
– Provides better information on required spending
for mitigation and preparedness.
33. Effect of Climate Change
• Increasing Temperatures
• Decrease in Snow Cover
• Retreat of Glaciers
• Rising Sea-levels
• Diminishing Water Flows
• Frequent and Intense Rainfall
34. Effect of Climate Change
• Increased Flooding
• Increasing Direct and Indirect Costs
• Human Lives at Risk
• Severe Property Damage
• Disrupted Services
• Human Suffering
35. Resources
• ISDR (N.D.) Countering Disasters, Targeting
Vulnerability. International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction. United Nations.
• ODI (2005) Aftershocks: Natural Disaster Risk
and Economic Development Policy. ODI
Briefing Paper, November 2005. Overseas
Development Institute, London.
• Images accessed through Google Images