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
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.
