Disaster Management
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
1. One of the primary concerns of any nation state is to ensure peace and security for sustainable development. Any nation whose human and material resources are constantly decimated by disasters and whose citizenry is regularly traumatised cannot be mobilised for any meaningful development. Most times, disasters occur with such regularity that huge human and material resources, which could have otherwise been used in national development, are lost annually to address disasters and for the rehabilitation of their victims. The magnitude of the pain or losses usually determines whether the occurrence is a minor accident or a disaster.1 A disaster is an event or hazard that causes serious loss, destruction, hardship, unhappiness or even death.2 Disasters are grouped into natural or man-made. Whether natural or man-made, disasters are usually catastrophic, resulting often in injuries, losses in lives and properties thus causing wide spread disruptions.
2. Natural disasters are those hazards that result from actions/inactions or effects of natural elements or agents such as weather, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides and avalanches. They are usually rapid or slow in character and the intensity of disruptions caused to people and property vary.3 Man-made disasters occur from man’s act of commission or omission and are rarely preceded by warning. Such disasters include road, air and train accidents, boat mishaps, explosions, civil disturbances, war and terrorism.4
3. Disasters, are usually complex phenomena requiring instantaneous and well coordinated counter measures on the part of government to manage them.5 This is because of the huge losses and costs that often result from them. Efforts therefore have to be made to prevent or manage them in a way that relief is brought to the victims. These measures include clear national policies, legislation, integrated plans, training, public awareness
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
1. One of the primary concerns of any nation state is to ensure peace and security for sustainable development. Any nation whose human and material resources are constantly decimated by disasters and whose citizenry is regularly traumatised cannot be mobilised for any meaningful development. Most times, disasters occur with such regularity that huge human and material resources, which could have otherwise been used in national development, are lost annually to address disasters and for the rehabilitation of their victims. The magnitude of the pain or losses usually determines whether the occurrence is a minor accident or a disaster.1 A disaster is an event or hazard that causes serious loss, destruction, hardship, unhappiness or even death.2 Disasters are grouped into natural or man-made. Whether natural or man-made, disasters are usually catastrophic, resulting often in injuries, losses in lives and properties thus causing wide spread disruptions.
2. Natural disasters are those hazards that result from actions/inactions or effects of natural elements or agents such as weather, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides and avalanches. They are usually rapid or slow in character and the intensity of disruptions caused to people and property vary.3 Man-made disasters occur from man’s act of commission or omission and are rarely preceded by warning. Such disasters include road, air and train accidents, boat mishaps, explosions, civil disturbances, war and terrorism.4
3. Disasters, are usually complex phenomena requiring instantaneous and well coordinated counter measures on the part of government to manage them.5 This is because of the huge losses and costs that often result from them. Efforts therefore have to be made to prevent or manage them in a way that relief is brought to the victims. These measures include clear national policies, legislation, integrated plans, training, public awareness
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