The Management of Disasters
ADMS 2700
Chapter 1 Notes- The management of disasters
• United nations general assembly claimed 1990s to be the ‘international decade for natural disaster reduction’ (IDNDR)
• Action was taken to promote internationally coordinated efforts to reduce material losses and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters, esp. developing countries.
• Mission: to improve each UN member country’s capacity to prevent or diminish adverse effects from natural disasters and to establish guidelines for applying existing science and technology to reduce the impact of natural disasters.
• The participating member states accepted the following principles to be applied to disaster management within their own countries:
1. Risk assessment is required for the adoption of successful disaster reduction policies and measures.
2. Disaster prevention and preparedness are of primary importance in reducing the need for disaster relief.
3. Disaster prevention and preparedness should be considered integral aspects of development policy and planning at national, regional, bilateral, multilateral and international levels.
4. Development and strengthening of capacities to prevent, reduce, and mitigate disasters are a top priority to be addressed to provide a strong basis for follow-up activities after that period.
5. Early warnings of impending disasters and their effective dissemination using telecommunications, including broadcast services, are key factors to successful disaster prevention and preparedness.
6. Preventive measures are most effective when they involve participation at all levels from the local community through the national government to the regional and international levels.
7. Vulnerability can be reduced by the application of proper design and patterns of development focused on target groups by appropriate education and training of the whole community.
8. The international community accepts the need to share the necessary technology to prevent,
Chapter 1 Notes- The management of disasters
• United nations general assembly claimed 1990s to be the ‘international decade for natural disaster reduction’ (IDNDR)
• Action was taken to promote internationally coordinated efforts to reduce material losses and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters, esp. developing countries.
• Mission: to improve each UN member country’s capacity to prevent or diminish adverse effects from natural disasters and to establish guidelines for applying existing science and technology to reduce the impact of natural disasters.
• The participating member states accepted the following principles to be applied to disaster management within their own countries:
1. Risk assessment is required for the adoption of successful disaster reduction policies and measures.
2. Disaster prevention and preparedness are of primary importance in reducing the need for disaster relief.
3. Disaster prevention and preparedness should be considered integral aspects of development policy and planning at national, regional, bilateral, multilateral and international levels.
4. Development and strengthening of capacities to prevent, reduce, and mitigate disasters are a top priority to be addressed to provide a strong basis for follow-up activities after that period.
5. Early warnings of impending disasters and their effective dissemination using telecommunications, including broadcast services, are key factors to successful disaster prevention and preparedness.
6. Preventive measures are most effective when they involve participation at all levels from the local community through the national government to the regional and international levels.
7. Vulnerability can be reduced by the application of proper design and patterns of development focused on target groups by appropriate education and training of the whole community.
8. The international community accepts the need to share the necessary technology to prevent,