Disaster Management Essay

Disaster Management
Disaster is defined as natural or planned activity and accidents whose consequences are the widespread loss of life and assets including property, natural resources, human and his livelihood OR a serious disruption of functioning society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using only its own resources.
Dimensions of Disaster:
 Disruption to normal way of life, usually severe and may also be sudden, unexpected and widespread.
 Human effects like injury, hardship, adverse effect on health and even loss of life
 Effect on social infrastructure such as damage to or destruction of government systems, buildings, communications and essential services.
 Community needs such as clothing, food, shelter, medical assistance and social care.
Difference between Hazard and Disaster:
“A hazard is a natural event while the disaster is its consequence. A hazard is perceived natural event which threatens both life and property while disaster is a realization of this hazard”
John Whittow, Disaster. 1980
Myths about Disaster:
 It can’t happen to us.
 The nature’s forces are so deadly the victims will die anyway
 We can’t do anything to avoid from it
Disaster Management:
It is the discipline that deals with preparing, alerting, supporting and rebuilding societies when natural or man-made disaster occurs OR it is the continuous process in an effort to avoid the impact of disasters resulting from hazards
So comprehensively Disaster Management can be termed as to allocate and direct the activities of business, society and community to plan, coordinate and...

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...lunteers, house-holds
• Gram Panchayat: Secretary, Sarpanch, panchayati, panchayat members
• Village Elders: Caste/Community/Religious leaders, engineers, teachers, retired army doctors, & police personnel
• Government Department Officers: Agriculture, Medical, public health, Revenue department, police, defense NGOs, Engineers (Housing, Roads & buildings, irrigation)
Invest in Preparedness:
 Investment in preparedness and prevention (mitigation) will yield sustainable results, rather than spending money on Relief after disaster.
 Most disasters are predictable, especially in their seasonally and disaster – prone areas which are vulnerable
 People themselves should be involved in disaster preparedness.
Guidelines for Disaster Management
 Minimize causalities
 Prevent further causalities
 Rescue the victims
 First aid
 Evacuate
 Medical care
 Reconstruction