Multi-faceted nature of managing disasters

Abstract

The number of reported disasters in the

world has risen sharply during the last dec- ade creating substantial losses and damages

to human lives, economy and society. Effective and proactive disaster management to reduce impact and vulnerability of disasters whilst increasing the resilience towards disasters

is therefore a key priority. Disaster manage- ment efforts encompass reducing or avoiding

potential losses from hazards, assure prompt

and appropriate assistance to victims of disas- ter, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.

Disaster management need to be taken place well before disasters strike by considering the

aspects that can be carried out to limit the ad- verse impacts from disasters (mitigation) and

taking measures in advance to ensure effective

response to the impact of disasters (prepared- ness). Also, disaster management needs to be

continued after disasters strike by providing

emergency services and assistance immediate- ly after a disaster (response), and reinstate- ment and improvement of livelihood and fa- cilities (recovery) of the affected community to

create resilience for future hazards.