DRM Terms and Concepts Defibed

DISASTER

• A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.

Disaster = Hazard x Vulnerability

Disaster occur due to human interaction with hazardous circumstances

A situation only becomes a disaster due to human interaction

-A disaster is a function of the risk process resulting from the combination of Hazards, Condition of Vulnerability and Insufficient capacity or measures

                     Hazard

Vulnerability            Capacity

VULNERABILITY

• The conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards

        The degree to which an area, people, physical structures or economic assets are exposed or susceptible to potential loss, injury or damage caused by the impact of a hazard. Vulnerability is a situation where a person is prone to deprivation or weakened to a situation whereby they cannot protect themselves or cannot enjoy benefits, which they naturally should enjoy

HAZARD  “trigger event”

A dangerous event/human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood and services, social disruption and environmental damage.(natural, technological and environmental degradation)

HAZARD  “trigger event”

A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation

DISASTER RISK

The probability of meeting a danger or suffering/harm

Disaster Risk = Hazard (h) x Vulnerability (v) / Capacity (c)

DISASTER RISK

• The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or environment damaged) resulting from impact of interactions between natural or human induced hazards and vulnerable conditions

CAPACITY

• Strengths or resources, present in individuals, households and communities, which increase ability to prepare for, cope with and recover from a disaster

Warning Signs/Signals

Scientific and indigenous indicators that a hazard is likely to happen

Disaster Risk Reduction

Measures taken in order to curb disaster losses, through minimizing the effects of hazards, reducing exposure and susceptibility and enhancing coping and adaptive capacity. Good disaster risk reduction also continues after a disaster, building resilience to future hazards.

This is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through

systematic efforts to analyze and manage the casual factors of disasters, which include reducing exposure to hazard, lessened vulnerability of people  and property, wise management of land and the environment and improved preparedness for adverse effects