coping
Preparing for a hazard
Organisations like the USGS (United States Geological Survey) for example, try their best to prepare people for hazard events.
One of the methods they use is producing handbooks are people and regions of the US, they are called 'Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"
Below is an example of one and the contents of it:
One of the methods they use is producing handbooks are people and regions of the US, they are called 'Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country"
Below is an example of one and the contents of it:
FEMA is another organisation who produce publications to let people know what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
responding to a hazard
When a hazard event occurs, it disrupts the lifes of many people socially and economically. The Park's Response Model helps us to describe three phrases that often occur following such an event.
different hazard events can have different impacts - this is shown by the speed of the drop in quality of life, the duration of the decline and the speed and nature of recovery. The differences between the three lines could be related to the type of hazard, speed of the relief effort, the degree of preparedness and the nature of recovery and building.
During the relief phase, people from outside the immediate area, usually agencies and international organisations come in to help with search, rescue and care operations. Urgent medical supplies, clothing, food and rescue equipment may be flown in.
The rehabilitation phase might last for many weeks, maybe months. Actions during this time are designed to rebuild community structures and physical structures. Rehabilitation is complex and needs people to assess the needs of people and co-ordinate the planning of resources.
Finally, in the reconstruction phase, permanent changes are introduced to restore quality of life and economic stability back to its original level or to even better than it was before.
During the relief phase, people from outside the immediate area, usually agencies and international organisations come in to help with search, rescue and care operations. Urgent medical supplies, clothing, food and rescue equipment may be flown in.
The rehabilitation phase might last for many weeks, maybe months. Actions during this time are designed to rebuild community structures and physical structures. Rehabilitation is complex and needs people to assess the needs of people and co-ordinate the planning of resources.
Finally, in the reconstruction phase, permanent changes are introduced to restore quality of life and economic stability back to its original level or to even better than it was before.
united nations environment programme
The UNEP has a Disasters and Conflicts programme which works to understand and reduce the impacts of environment degradation of disasters and conflicts on human health, livelihoods and security. They also emphasise the role of healthy ecosystems and sustainability-managed resources in reducing the risk of conflicts and disasters. The UNEP has responded to crisis situations in more than 40 countries since 1999 - they deliver environmental expertise to key players like national governments and partners of the UN.
They provide four key services to UN member states:
They provide four key services to UN member states:
- Disaster risk reduction
- Environmental cooperation (for peacebuliding)
- Post-crisis environmental recovery
- Post-crisis environmental assessments
disaster risk management cycle
Another way to look at disaster management more simply, is in four stages:
- Preparedness - activities prior to a disaster. Examples include plans, emergency exercises & training, warning systems
- Response - activities during a disaster. Examples include public warning systems, search and rescue and emergency operations.
- Recovery - activities following a disaster. Examples include processes and grants, medical care, counselling and temporary housing.
- Mitigation - activities that reduce the effects of disasters. Examples include education, building codes and zoning.