Concept Of Disaster Risk Reduction And Management

Concept of disaster risk reduction and management Disasters usually follow hazards, but some hazards can be prevented or mitigated. Disaster risk and reduction and its impact can be reduced. Disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and implementing strategies and plans that aims to reduce the damage caused by natural hazards. If disaster risk is reduced, the probability of a hazard event becoming a disaster is small. DRRM includes the concept of mitigating and preparing for the adverse impacts of hazards, reducing vulnerabilities to hazards, wise management of land and environment, and increasing disaster resilience of communities, among others. The United Nations international strategy for disaster reduction The United Nations (UN) General Assembly created the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) in 1999 as part of the UN Secretariat. UNISDR aims to guide and coordinate the efforts of a wide range of partners to achieve substantive reduction in disaster losses and build resilient nations and communities as an essential condition for sustainable development. Among its objectives are the following: climate change adaptation; increasing investments for DSRRM; building disaster-resilient cities, schools, and hospitals; and strengthening the international system for DRRM (www.unisdr.org). As an immediate and practical output of this framework, UNISDR now leads the global forum for disaster risk reduction where various communities and countries share strategies and guidelines.

Importance of DRRM Asia and pacific are identified to have the most number and highest frequency of disaster impact. According to the Asian Development Bank (2014), more than half of the world’s deaths and losses occurred in the Asia-Pacific region between 1970 and 2012, and this accounted for 43% of the global socioeconomic losses. Disaster loss does not only affect those directly receiving its impacts. Because almost all countries and communities interact globally, everyone is affected by one’s disaster loss. Hence, there is a need for an effort to reduce disaster risks by integrating polices, plans, and programs for sustainable development supported through bilateral, regional, and international collaboration and partnership. DRRM should be given utmost priority, especially in the Philippines, because of the following reasons: 1. The Philippines by virtue of its geographical location, is exposed to numerous geological and hydrometeorologiacal hazards. To lower the risks of the disasters brought by these natural hazards, it is important that a DRRM be in a place Located within the pacific ring of fire and situated at the boundary of tectonic plates, the Philippines experience seismic movements from volcanic eruption and earthquakes. Apart from this, situated along the typhoon belt and being surrounded by various types of water bodies, the country also experience hazards such as frequent tropical cyclones, flooding, and storm surges. Sometimes, kore than one hazards may be encountered by a particular region in short period of time. In 2013, for example, the visayas islands faced and suffered the devastation brought by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake followed by super typhoon Yolanda weeks later. 2. The Philippines, being a developing country, may not have enough materailas and support to address the immediate needs of disaster victims and to recover from the damage of the

disaster. To be prepared for the potential damage of disasters, a DRRM needs to be implemented. Global disaster risk seems to be higher in poor countries with weaker governance. In the midst of disaster, survivors often struggle to live. One of the most urgent concerns is hunger, which encompasses not just the availability of food but also its accessibility, stability of supplies, and nutrition. When disaster strikes in a remote area, even if communities may survive the disaster itself, they may still not survive due to lack of food in the area. If roads that lead to the disaster site become impassable, food may not reach the intended victims on time. Also, leaving the site in disarray – in its post-disaster appearance – for a long time may be hazardous physically and pathologically. Stagnant pools of water may become breeding pools disease carrying-mosquitoes. Tetanus may enter punctured wounds of injuries, unimmunized victims. Those that live together with other victims in a crowded small refugee or evacuation camp can get infected airborne ailments. With limited supplies of nutritious food and proper sanitation, not to mention the psychological disturbance and shocked, victim communities may have a low resistance or weak immune system during this time. This makes them more vulnerable to these diseases. DRRM is essential in building a more equitable and sustainable future for the communities in high risk areas for disasters.

Key principles of DRRM 1. Development can either increase or decrease disaster risk. Part of human development is the continuous alteration of the environment to meet the demands of the growing population. This, along with the inevitable changes in the environment, provides some challenges in the adaptability of human and other organisms. When development takes place, there is always a disaster risk. For example, in developing a piece of land for agricultural purposes, the clearing of the land in preparation of the land use poses a threat to the native species inhabiting it. The disaster risk also increases if the land is inhabited by people. However, development projects may decrease disaster risks if the communities have proper disaster prevention and mitigation plan. 2. DRRM policies, laws, and regulations will not save lives unless implemented in communities. “Action” is the most important component of DRRM. Actions could take the form of drill or the actual implementation of the disaster plan. Policies, laws, and regulations are drafted by experts and authorities and, as such, they are feasible and supposedly ideal, specific to trhe target community. A great way to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the plans is to put them into actions. During simulation of hazards 3. The community is the front line of disaster risk management. 4. DRRM is not a stand-alone activity. 5. The main objective of DRRM is to build resilient community.