Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness means the state of readiness to deal with a threatening disaster  situation or disaster and the effects there of. Disaster preparedness aims at getting ready to deal with disaster situations. Disaster preparedness involves several steps, both long-range and short-range, to address disasters. Preparation measures may involve long-term and short-range activities. The disaster preparedness action plan may focus on maintenance of supplies and building inventory, availability of emergency services, development of early warning systems, etc.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCRCS) regard disaster preparedness to be a “continuous and integrated process involving a wide range of activities and resources from multi-sectoral sources”. As part of disaster preparedness, mitigation measures are put in place, such as building infrastructure and teaching people what to do in case of catastrophe. Preparedness and mitigation, however, can differ in some ways.

A disaster cannot be stopped by mitigation measures alone. Reduced vulnerability is the

result of mitigation measures. It includes making sure that the community and emergency services are prepared to respond to actual disasters. The concept of disaster preparedness encompasses all activities that contribute to building the capacity to deal with disasters. As a general concept, preparedness entails formulating an action plan and putting it into practice.

Disaster preparedness involves several activities such as:

• Understanding the vulnerability profile in terms of social, economic and physical vulnerability, and formulating preparedness plans accordingly.
• Developing and institutionalising a disaster preparedness plan, which is comprehensive, and indicates the roles and responsibilities of several stakeholders before, during and after the occurrence of disasters.
• Strengthening warning systems and meteorological studies.
• Evolving appropriate Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities for the community.
• Keeping ready Rapid Response Teams, Search and Rescue personnel along with Emergency Medical Teams.
• Setting up secure and safe shelters to house the rescued, putting in place emergency evacuation procedures.
• Making available relief activities including emergency shelters, medical, food, first aid services, and security arrangements.

Governments, organisations, and private citizens create strategies to save lives, reduce disaster damage, and improve disaster response operations during the preparedness phase. Plans for emergencies, emergency drills and training, warning systems, emergency communications, evacuation plans and training, resource inventories, emergency personnel and contact lists, mutual aid agreements, and public awareness and education campaigns are all examples of preparedness measures.