Disaster is "a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources." A disaster is the product of a hazard such as earthquake or flood with a vulnerable situation which might include communities, cities or villages. Without vulnerability or hazard there is no disaster. A disaster occurs when hazards and vulnerability meet.
Disaster Management
"Disaster Management" is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for:
a) Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster;
b) Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences;
c) Capacity-building;
d) Preparedness to deal with any disaster;
e) Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster;
f) Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster;
g) Evacuation, rescue and relief;
h) Rehabilitation and reconstruction
Phases in Disaster Management
a) Pre – Disaster Phase: Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness.
b) Response Phase: Preparedness, Search, Rescue, Medical Aid, Assessment, Relief and Temporary Rehabilitation
c) Recovery Phase: Permanent Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.
Disaster Management Cycle
Disaster management can be