CONCEPT MEANING TYPES

1. DISASTER
MANAGEMENT

2. CONCEPTS AND DEFINITION OF DISASTER
• A Disaster is an event that occurs in most cases suddenly and unexpectedly, causing severe
disturbances to people, objects and environment, resulting in loss of life , property and health of
the population.
• Such a situation causes disruption in normal pattern of life , generating misfortune, helplessness
and suffering affecting the socio-economic structure of a region/country to such an extent that
there is a need for assistance or immediate outside intervention.
• Disasters can be caused by natural, man-made and technological hazards, as well as various
factors that influence the exposure and vulnerability of a community.
“A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human,
material, economic or environmental losses that exceed the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources”. WHO 1998.

3. HAZARD
• A natural or human-made event that threatens to adversely affects human life, property or
activity to the extent of causing a disaster.
• A hazard is any objects, situation, or behaviour that has the potential to cause injury, ill health, or
damage to property or the environment.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
• Physical Hazards- eg- extremes of temperature, electrical exposure.
• Chemical Hazards- eg- cleaning agents, insecticides, preservatives etc.
• Biological Hazards-eg- Virus, Bacteria, fungi, parasites.
• Psychological Hazards- eg- stress, workloads, fear or phobia.

4. VULNERABILITY
• The predisposition to suffer damage due to external events.
• Vulnerability is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has
occurred . Eg- people who live on plain are more vulnerable to floods than
people who live higher up.
• Vulnerability + Hazards = Disaster

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF DISASTER
• Unpredictability.
• Unfamiliarity.
• Speed.
• Urgency.
• Uncertainty.
• Threat.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF DISASTER
• Health- 1. Physical- Injuries, Disabilities, Death.
2. Psychological – cognitive, Behavioural, Social.
• Structural Damage- to variable extent.
• Ecological Damage- change in eco system.
• Economical- Financial losses.
• Other effects- Death, Disabilities, Increase in communicable disease,
Food shortage, shortage of drugs and medical supplies,
Environmental disruption.

7. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISASTER AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Disaster- Development Relationship
1. Disaster Hampers Development.
2. Development Increases Vulnerabilities.
3. Development Reduces Vulnerabilities.
4. Disasters Provide Development opportunities.

8. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
• Disaster Management is a process of effectively preparing for and responding to
disaster.
• It involves strategically organizing resources to lessen the harm that disasters
cause.
• It also involves a systematic approach to managing the responsibilities of disaster
prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
• In simple words Disaster Management means being prepared for disasters,
fighting disaster effectively, ensuring the safety of life during disasters and
helping in rebuilding society after the disaster.

9. DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE