Chapter 5:

Responding to
Disaster

Samia Mazhar
Chapter 5: Responding to
Disaster
 Introduction

 Different types of disaster including Natural Disaster and

Terrorism.

 Individual and Community Responses to Disasters.

 The four phases of disaster response: mitigation,

preparedness, response and recovery.

Responding to Disaster
 Disaster
• Several definitions are frequently given to disaster.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a disaster as “a
sudden ecological phenomenon of sufficient magnitude to require
external assistance”.
• It is also defined as any event, typically occurring suddenly, that
causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life,
deterioration of health and health services, and which exceeds the
capacity of the affected community on a scale sufficient to require
outside assistance (Landsman, 2001).
• Disaster is further defined as an event in which a society or a
community undergoes acute deprivation of food and other basic
necessities due to natural and man made calamities to such an extent
that the normal function of the society or the community is disrupted
and that it cannot subsist without outside intervention
 TYPES OF DISASTERS
1. Natural disasters (result of action of the natural forces).
2. Human (technological) causes (result from some human activities, such
as explosions, fires, the release of toxic chemicals or radioactive
materials, bridge or building collapse, crashes, dam or levee
failure, nuclear reactor accidents, breaks in water, gas, or sewer
lines, deforestation, war, etc.
Another classification of disasters will be as follows:

3. Sudden-onset disasters
4. Slow-onset disasters
5. Industrial/technological disasters
6. Complex emergencies
Lesson 2 – When disaster strikes
 Pre-Disaster Risk Reduction
Stage
1. This is the cycle surrounding a disaster:
2.Notice there are two major players before a disaster strikes
a.Mitigation
i. This is where people in the community recognize the hazards around them and take
steps to minimize the effect those hazards would have should a disaster occur.
ii. Ex: Flood walls, trimming large and hanging branches over power lines and home,
waterproofing basement
b.Preparedness
i. Making sure you have a kit and a plan in place in order to react as quickly as possibly in
the event of an emergency.
ii. If this step is done correctly, the stages following the disaster are much less hectic and
occur much faster.
In reality the Pre-Disaster Risk Reduction Stage is much longer than the Response Stage
3.The Response stage is crucial to rebuilding the communities and neighborhoods in the affected
area. The efficiency and readiness for such an event have a huge impact on the communities ability
to rebuild and regroup
4.In the end the best time to be ready for a disaster is before a disaster ever occurs.
Devastation caused by disaster

1. Although many disasters never make the news, disasters occur more often than we
might think. A few make global headlines because of their destructive powers and
devastation.

2. Although we often hear about disasters and catastrophes, consider the number of
disasters that we DON’T hear about—the ones that never become major news
stories.
3. Massive floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and even man-made disasters are
all quite common. We read about or watch news stories detailing their destructive
powers, and some of us experience this first-hand.

4. In this poster, images of the devastation caused by the earthquake in Nepal are
shown.
1. On April 25, 2015, a violent earthquake struck Nepal. It was the
region's worst quake in more than 80 years, with a magnitude of 7.8.
Weeks later, a 7.3-magnitude aftershock occurred. Almost 9,000
people were killed and 22,000 were injured. Nearly 800,000 homes
were damaged or destroyed.
2. In summary, this event had a variety of devastating impacts across a
wide area. To respond to this sort of tragedy, both local and
international communities are needed.
 Types of disasters

1. We are all familiar with many types

of disasters.
2. Some can be predicted, while others
occur without warning —
3. but in either case the loss and
trauma can be significant.
 How lives are affected

Following a disaster, personal loss and destruction can be devastating. In an instant, the basic
routines of life can be transformed into uncertainty.

These examples show challenges people might face after a disaster.

After any disaster, people’s needs can be great. Even smaller disasters often cause loss and
destruction that can be devastating to those affected. Life as we know it changes in an instant. Basic
needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter are essential. But have you ever thought about how people
might be affected differently?

How can I replace important

How do I replace
How can I find members How will I get food and personal documents, such as those
medical supplies I
of my extended family? water for my children? I need to access my bank account
depend on?
or apply for government help?
Consequences of disaster

When entire communities are stricken, the impact can be

enormous. Civic services may be interrupted with power down,
roads blocked, perhaps even a shortage of drinking water.
Added to the personal loss, stress from lack of essential
services grows daily. Businesses may be shut down and jobs
lost. For families and communities, recovery from disaster can
take weeks, months…even years.
How prepared are you? - scenarios

Emergencies happen every day around the world, but most people are not properly prepared. For instance, the US government
estimates that between 20% and 40% of Americans have put in place some form of preparation for an emergency situation
(source: Ready.gov).

Read each scenario and the checklist.

Scenario 1

It's late on a Friday afternoon, and a dangerous storm is battering your region. You made it home safely but the weather is
deteriorating rapidly, and several road closings have been announced due to flooding. Your spouse is working in another city
and cannot get home using public transportation as usual. You're also concerned about your elderly parents, who live two
miles from your home. Road conditions are dangerous, and local officials have warned against travelling, Should you try to
travel, or stay home?

Scenario 2
You are at your work location and cannot travel home by bus as usual due to severe weather warnings and gridlocked city
traffic. A caretaker is home with your small children and calls you in a panic. They have been told to evacuate due to threats
posed by the weather. Shuttles will pick up families in the area within the hour. She needs to know what she should carry from
your home with the children, and she's not sure where they will be taken. What do you tell her?

What would you do? Would you be prepared in similar situations?

How prepared are you? – checklist

Basic items to have in case of disaster or emergency

• Water: 4 liters (or 1 gallon) per person, per day — 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items — 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Map(s) of your area, noting the locations of emergency services (hospital, police, shelters) and any official evacuation
routes
• Multipurpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home,
passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information — a written list of phone numbers, addresses, etc
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
Summary

The impact of disaster on families, communities, and even an entire nation can be devastating.

Review the three key points covered in this lesson.

1. Following small or large disasters, people need food, clothing, shelter,

and drinking water.

2. Some common consequences of disaster include closed roads, power

outages, closed or destroyed businesses, blood shortages, and lost jobs.

3. Often, people are not ready for an emergency. Be prepared by having

basic essential items on hand and by arranging emergency contacts
and procedures in advance.
Community
Preparedness/Response
● Prepare
○ Classes, trainings,
exercises and local
activities
○ America’s PrepareAthon
● Response
○ First Responders
○ Community and
Volunteer Agencies
○ Emergency Management
Agencies
How to prepare the community
● Get involved and stay
informed!
○ Share information
○ Encourage others to
have a kit and plan
○ Participate in local
preparation events,
classes, and trainings
 What is America’s PrepareAthon!
 A?
SM
national, community-based campaign intended to move the public
from awareness to Preparedness Action
 Focused on increasing emergency preparedness through hazard-
specific drills, group discussions, and exercises
 Targeting action at the individual, organizational or community level
 Twice yearly (spring and fall) National PrepareAthon! Days anchoring
year-round events
 Free “how-to” resources and tools for different hazards and different
communities available at:
Community Response
● Responding to
disaster (immediate
response)
○ Chaos
○ Emotional
○ Possible
injuries/fatalities
● People involved
(local and
community)
○ First Responders
○ CERT Teams
○ Community Members
& Volunteer Agencies
Community Response

● Responding to
disaster (delayed
response)
○ Feelings of
helplessness
○ Long term damage
to community
structure
● People involved
○ Community
members still
engaged
○ Emergency
management
How can you get involved in response?

● Be certified
○ First Aid
○ Volunteer Fire-Fighting
● Be Involved
○ CERT Qualified
○ Volunteer with Red Cross, All Hands, other local groups
Lesson 3 – The disaster response community
Focus on local actors
Who might arrive first in times of disaster?

Groups who respond first may include

1. police,
2. fire,
3. local government,
4. army personnel, and
5. other agencies involved in emergency
response.

In other cases, local civilians may intervene

before formally trained first-responders arrive.
Untrained responders should take care not to
impede the efforts of professional responders or
highly trained volunteers.
Additionally, civilians should be careful not to
put themselves or others in danger during their
effort.
The collaborative response

Following a disaster, community groups and local agencies collaborate in the response. Here are some examples.

Learn how community groups and neighbors like you help with the relief effort.

Businesses might be able to provide In many countries, individuals,

financial or other assistance, and support Facilities for shelters may be
faith-based groups, and NGOs
their employees' volunteerism. offered by a variety of
Companies can set up collection places are often available to help on
organizations.
for donations of essential items such as short notice.
food, medical supplies, blankets, and so
forth.
Disaster strikes

Imagine…

A massive flood occurs in your community and destroys 170 homes.

Hundreds are in need of assistance.

This activity allows you to explore how various community resources

come together.
Disaster strikes activity

Review examples of how local agencies and community groups might help after a disaster such as this.

Individual volunteer: Non-profit organization:

• Assist in a shelter • Gather information about damage and disaster needs
• Distribute bottled water and cleaning supplies • Run a shelter
• Provide recovery information and resources
Neighborhood association:
• Provide prepared meals Government agencies:
• Gather information about disaster needs and damage • Provide civic protection and security
• Coordinate services and provide assistance
Business:
• Donate money to the relief effort Faith-based organization:
• Donate needed supplies like bottled water • Collect and distribute essential items to families
• Support employees in disaster volunteer work • Provide prepared meals
• Assist in a shelter
The community responds

Community groups and individuals work together to

meet a wide range of needs after a disaster by:

• Distributing bottled water and cleaning supplies

• Collecting and distributing, diapers, food, other
essential items
• Providing prepared meals
• Assisting in a shelter
• Providing civic protection and security
• Coordinating services
• Providing facilities for shelters
• Gathering information about damage and disaster
needs
• Donating money to the relief effort
• Donating needed supplies like bottled water
• Supporting employees in disaster volunteer work
Are special skills needed?

The skills you use every day are desperately needed after a disaster.

While some roles require special skills, many others do not. With proper training, anyone can help. You already have many
of the skills needed to be a valued volunteer.
Help in action

With the help of many, people and communities

do recover.

The International Federation of Red Cross & Red

Crescent Societies is an example of an
organization that uses volunteers effectively and
provides a range of emergency response services.

Select the play icon to see the power of

community in action.
Summary

Communities coming together are vital to recovery efforts after a

disaster.

• Local government, police, fire, military personnel, and other

government agencies might be the first to arrive and provide
assistance following an emergency
• Individuals like you, supporting the work of community groups,
businesses, and government agencies are critical to response
and recovery efforts
• Organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross &
Red Crescent Societies collaborate with many community
agencies to help with short-term and long-term needs
• With your life experiences and the desire to help, you too can
be a volunteer
Lesson 4 – Disaster response organizations
Disaster response organizations play a critical role

When disasters happen anywhere, there are many organizations that collaborate and partner effectively to provide assistance.

seven global organizations,

1. CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war
and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.
2. The International Medical Corps works to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease by
delivering vital health care services that focus on training and helping devastated populations return to self-reliance.
3. The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping people to survive and
rebuild their lives.
4. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) helps people worldwide where the need is greatest, delivering
emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care.
5. Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. The organization prepares for disasters and
responds immediately to children and families who urgently need help when disasters strike.
6. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, also known as the UN Refugee Agency, is mandated
to lead and coordinate international action to protect and safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, and resolve
refugee problems worldwide.
7. The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. As the United Nations'
frontline agency in the fight against hunger, WFP is continually responding to emergencies. They save lives by getting food
to the hungry, fast.
Largest humanitarian network in the world

While many disaster response organizations perform monumental tasks with the assistance of dedicated volunteers, the largest
humanitarian network in the world — with more than 17 million volunteers — is the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, or IFRC.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement acts before, during, and after disasters in non-conflict situations. Societies serve as
auxiliaries to the public authorities in their countries in humanitarian matters.

The IFRC was founded in 1919, and its member Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have strong roots in local communities.
Corporations and disaster response

Many corporations offer assistance to help with disaster

response and recovery as part of their corporate citizenship
programs.

Here are some examples of what companies might do:

• Attend to the needs of their own employees after a

disaster
• Donate their own products or services to NGOs or
government agencies
• Help disaster agencies obtain supplies such as water,
tents, or medicine
• Support their employees as they volunteer, as long as
volunteers are not put at risk
• Collaborate with other corporations, NGOs, and umbrella
groups to coordinate a response
• Provide grant support to organizations that assist in times
of disaster or improve preparedness for future disasters
Lesson 5 – Call to action
 Phases of Disaster Management

● While creating a business continuity management plan for

your organization, consider the four phases of disaster
management and how each phase will affect your business
before, during and after a crisis.
 When it comes to business continuity, think of disasters as recurring events that
take place in four key phases:

1. Mitigation
2. Preparedness
3. Response
4. Recovery
 Phase 1: Mitigation

● To prevent future emergencies and take steps to

minimize their effects
● The “mitigation” phase occurs before a disaster takes
place. Here, an organization will take steps to protect
people and property, while also decreasing risks and
consequences from a given disaster situation. The
organization’s main goal is to reduce vulnerability to
disaster impacts (such as property damage, injuries and
loss of life).
● Examples of “mitigation” may include conducting a
property inspection to discover ways to fortify the
building against damage.
 Phase 2: Preparedness

● To take actions ahead of time to be ready for an

emergency
● The “preparedness” phase also occurs before a disaster
takes place. Here, an organization attempts to understand
how a disaster might affect overall productivity and the
bottom line. The organization will also provide appropriate
education while putting preparedness measures into place.
● Examples of “preparedness” may include hosting training,
education, drills, tabletop exercises and full-scale exercises on
disaster preparedness. This ensures that stakeholders know what to
do in the event of an emergency. Organizations may
also assemble a business continuity team to assemble a
strategic plan that allows the business to recover after a crisis. The
 Phase 3: Response

● To protect people and property in the wake of an

emergency, disaster or crisis
● The “response” phase occurs in the immediate
aftermath of a disaster. Organizations must focus their
attention on addressing immediate threats to people,
property and business. Occupant safety and wellbeing largely
depends on its preparedness levels before disaster strikes.
● The most notable example of the “response” phase is to
ensure that people are out of harm’s way. The organization will
then move on to assess damage, implement disaster response
plans, triage cleanup efforts and start resource distribution as
necessary. Businesses will also need to navigate building closures,
preliminary damage assessments and hampered communication
● As the response period progresses, focus will

typically shift from immediate emergency issues to

conducting repairs, restoring utilities, re-establishing

operations and cleaning up. The organization will

also need to begin planning the reconstruction of

damaged infrastructure.
Be Prepared for
your life Crisis.
Good Luck