MEVE 015: Unit 01 - Concept, Types and Challenges of Disasters

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 UNIT 1: CONCEPTS, TYPES AND CHALLENGES OF DISASTERS

1.0 Introduction

Disasters have increasingly become a global concern due to their devastating impacts on human life, environment, and economies. Understanding the basic concepts, types, and frameworks that guide disaster management is essential for building a resilient society. This unit introduces the foundational concepts of disaster and disaster management, major international and national frameworks, types and classifications of disasters, and the key challenges in managing them.

1.1 Objectives

After studying this unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the basic concepts and frameworks of disaster management.
  • Explain key terminologies and definitions related to disasters.
  • Identify various types and categories of disasters.
  • Discuss the challenges and impacts of disasters on society.
  • Describe major international and Indian disaster management frameworks and policies.

1.2 Basic Concepts in Disaster Management

1.2.1 Concepts

A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society, involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.

Key related concepts include:

  • Hazard: A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or human activity.
  • Vulnerability: The conditions that increase susceptibility to the impact of hazards.
  • Capacity: The resources available to individuals or communities to reduce risk.
  • Risk: The potential for loss or damage when a hazard interacts with vulnerability.

Disaster management involves mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

1.2.2 Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters

This was the first major international agreement on disaster risk reduction (DRR), adopted at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2005. Its priorities included:

  1. Ensuring that DRR is a national and local priority.
  2. Identifying and assessing risks.
  3. Building understanding and awareness.
  4. Reducing underlying risk factors.
  5. Strengthening disaster preparedness.

1.2.3 The Disaster Management Act, India, 2005

This Act provides the legal framework for disaster management in India. Key provisions include:

  • Establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
  • Creation of State and District Disaster Management Authorities.
  • Emphasis on mitigation, preparedness, capacity building, and community participation.
  • Empowerment of the central and state governments to formulate disaster management policies and plans.

1.2.4 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030

This is the successor to the Hyogo Framework and focuses on:

  • Substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health.
  • Shifting focus from disaster response to risk reduction.
  • Four priority areas:
    1. Understanding disaster risk.
    2. Strengthening disaster risk governance.
    3. Investing in DRR.
    4. Enhancing preparedness and "Build Back Better" during recovery.

1.3 Definitions and Terminologies used in Disaster Management

  • Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce the severity of the impact of disasters.
  • Preparedness: Planning and training for effective response.
  • Response: Immediate actions to save lives and protect property.
  • Recovery: Restoration and improvement of facilities, livelihoods, and living conditions.
  • Resilience: The capacity to recover from disasters and maintain functionality.
  • Early Warning System: Set of capabilities for detecting and responding to hazard risks.

1.4 Types and Categories of Disasters

Disasters are broadly classified into natural and human-induced (technological) disasters.

1.4.1 Natural Hazards

These arise from natural processes and include:

  • Geological: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides.
  • Hydrometeorological: Cyclones, floods, droughts, heatwaves.
  • Biological: Epidemics, pandemics (e.g., COVID-19).

1.4.2 Technological Disasters

Result from human activities or technological failures:

  • Industrial accidents: Chemical spills, nuclear plant failures (e.g., Bhopal Gas Tragedy).
  • Transport accidents: Air, road, rail, or sea-related accidents.
  • Structural failures: Dam collapse, building collapse.
  • Cyber disasters: Data breaches, cyberattacks disrupting infrastructure.

1.5 Challenges of Disasters

Some key challenges include:

  • Increasing frequency and intensity of disasters due to climate change.
  • Urbanization and population growth in hazard-prone areas.
  • Lack of awareness and preparedness at the community level.
  • Resource constraints, especially in developing countries.
  • Weak institutional coordination among stakeholders.
  • Environmental degradation contributing to greater vulnerability.

1.6 Impacts of Disasters

Disasters have wide-ranging impacts:

  • Human loss: Casualties, displacement, trauma.
  • Economic loss: Damage to infrastructure, loss of productivity.
  • Environmental degradation: Deforestation, pollution, soil erosion.
  • Social disruption: Breakdown of services, increased inequalities.
  • Long-term recovery challenges: Especially for marginalized communities.

1.7 Let Us Sum Up

  • Disasters are both natural and human-induced and require systematic management.
  • Concepts like hazard, vulnerability, risk, and resilience are central to disaster studies.
  • Key frameworks like the Hyogo and Sendai provide global direction for DRR.
  • India’s Disaster Management Act (2005) institutionalizes disaster governance.
  • Classification of disasters helps in designing specific strategies for preparedness and response.
  • Challenges such as climate change, weak governance, and poor infrastructure hinder effective disaster management.

1.8 Key Words

  • Disaster: A serious disruption causing widespread damage and requiring outside assistance.
  • Hazard: A potentially damaging event or condition.
  • Vulnerability: Degree of susceptibility to damage from hazards.
  • Risk: Probability of harmful consequences resulting from hazard-vulnerability interaction.
  • Resilience: Capacity to recover from disasters.
  • DRR: Disaster Risk Reduction.

 

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