Lesson 1 Concept Of Disaster

• Disaster is a dangerous situation or threat from natural or man-made events that disrupt the functions of individuals in a community.
• United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines disaster as a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impact, which exceeds the ability of the

  affected community or society to cope using its own resources.
• Types of Disaster

  1. Natural
  2. Man-made
• Natural an abrupt or slow onset of naturally occurring

  phenomena, which can be

  biological, geological,

  hydrological, meteorological,

  and climatological in nature.
• Disasters caused by Man which is called Man-made are those in which major direct causes are identifiable intentional or non-intentional human actions.
• This is an example of Natural

  earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires.
• This is an example of Man-made

  war, pollution, nuclear explosions, fires, hazardous materials exposures, explosions.
• 3 Categories of Man-made Disaster

  1. Technological/industrial disasters
  2. Terrorism/Violence
  3. Complex humanitarian
• Technological/Industrial

  disasters unregulated

  industrialization and inadequate safety standards increase the

  risk for industrial disaster.
• This is an example of technological/industrial disaster

  leaks of hazardous materials,

  accidental explosions, bridge or

  road collapses, or vehicle collisions, power cuts
• Threat of terrorism/violence has also increased due to the spread

  of technologies involving nuclear, biological, and

  chemical agents used to develop weapons of mass destruction.
• This is an example of Terrorism/Violence

  bombs or explosions, release of chemical; materials, release of biological agents, release of

  radioactive agents, multiple or massive shootings.
• Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Reduce vulnerability to life, property, or environment to an existing hazard;
  • Reduce degree of exposure to hazards.
  • Increase preparedness through proper mitigation procedures.