1) The document defines a disaster as any occurrence that causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, or deterioration of health on a scale that requires assistance from outside the affected community. 2) Disasters can be natural, such as meteorological, topographical, or environmental events, or man-made, including technological, industrial accidents, or security-related incidents. 3) Disaster management involves preparation activities prior to a disaster, response during a disaster, recovery after a disaster, and mitigation to reduce future disaster impacts.