UNIT IV

Disaster Prevention and Preparedness

Vulnerability analysis
• Birkmann, J., & Teichman, K. (Eds.). (2010) defined vulnerability
analysis in disaster prevention and preparedness as a process of
identifying and assessing populations or groups that are more
susceptible to the adverse effects of disasters. It involves
understanding the factors that contribute to their increased risk and
the potential impact of disasters on their well-being. By conducting
vulnerability analysis, emergency management authorities and
organizations can develop targeted strategies and interventions to
mitigate risks and enhance the resilience of these populations.
• Vulnerability analysis in disaster management is a systematic
assessment of the factors that contribute to the susceptibility of
individuals, communities, and systems to the impacts of disasters
according to Adger, W. N. (2006). It involves identifying vulnerabilities,
evaluating their root causes, and understanding how they may
interact with hazards to create risks. The goal of vulnerability analysis
is to inform disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts by
identifying areas of high vulnerability and developing strategies to
reduce risk and enhance resilience.
Types of Vulnerability Assessment in
Disaster Management
• Physical Vulnerability It is determined by various aspects such as
population density levels, the remoteness of a settlement, the site,
design and materials used for critical infrastructure and for housing.
• Social Vulnerability
• Economic Vulnerability
• Attitudinal Vulnerability
• Environment Vulnerability
Vulnerability Analysis Process
• Identification of Vulnerable Elements: This involves identifying the elements
that are at risk, such as populations, infrastructure, critical facilities,
ecosystems, and economic sectors.
• Assessment of Vulnerability Factors: Factors that contribute to vulnerability
are analyzed, including social, economic, environmental, and physical aspects.
These factors may include poverty, inadequate infrastructure, weak
governance, environmental degradation, population density, and social
marginalization.
• Evaluation of Exposure: The exposure of vulnerable elements to different
hazards is assessed. This involves understanding the likelihood and intensity
of potential hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or pandemics,
and how they may affect the identified vulnerable elements.
• Analysis of Sensitivity: Sensitivity refers to the degree to which vulnerable
elements are affected by a hazard. This analysis involves understanding the
characteristics and capacities of the vulnerable elements that may amplify or
reduce their susceptibility to specific hazards.
• Assessment of Adaptive Capacity: Adaptive capacity refers to the ability of
individuals, communities, or systems to cope with and recover from the impacts
of a disaster. This includes evaluating access to resources, social networks,
governance structures, and preparedness measures that can enhance resilience.
• Integration and Mapping: The gathered data and information are integrated and
analyzed to identify areas and populations with high vulnerability. This
information is often represented through vulnerability maps, which can help
prioritize interventions and resource allocation.
• Development of Mitigation Strategies: Based on the vulnerability
analysis, mitigation strategies, and actions are developed to reduce
the risks and enhance the resilience of the vulnerable elements.
These strategies may include improving infrastructure, strengthening
early warning systems, enhancing social safety nets, and promoting
community engagement and capacity-building initiatives.
Examples of vulnerable populations
• Elderly and Disabled Individuals:
• Scenario: Earthquake
• Vulnerability: Limited mobility and difficulties in evacuating quickly,
increased risk of injury or being trapped in collapsed structures.
• Children:
• Scenario: Flood
• Vulnerability: Limited ability to protect themselves, heightened risk of
separation from parents or caregivers, increased susceptibility to
waterborne diseases.
• Homeless Population:
• Scenario: Hurricane
• Vulnerability: Lack of permanent shelter, limited access to early warning systems, higher risk of injury
or displacement during the storm, and challenges in accessing emergency relief and recovery services.
• Immigrants and Refugees:
• Scenario: Wildfire
• Vulnerability: Language barriers, limited familiarity with local emergency response procedures,
potential for social isolation, and difficulties in obtaining information about evacuation routes and
shelters.
• People with Chronic Medical Conditions:
• Scenario: Pandemic (e.g., COVID-19)
• Vulnerability: Higher risk of severe illness or complications, reliance on consistent access to healthcare
facilities and medications, increased vulnerability to disruptions in healthcare services.
Hazard mapping
• According to UNDRO (United Nations Disaster Relief Co-ordinator) hazard
mapping is the process of establishing geographically where and to what
extent particular phenomenon is likely to pose a threat to people, property,
infrastructure and economic activities. It is the process of identifying and
displaying the spatial variation of hazard events or physical conditions.
• For example, potential ground shaking, flood plains, hazardous material
sites, climate zones etc. The main objective is to provide the residents with
the information on the range of possible damage and the disaster
prevention activities. It cannot stop a disaster. However, the effective use
can stop the magnitude of disaster. Flood maps, landslides map, shake
maps are specific types of hazard map
Key Elements in Hazard Mapping
• Forecasting a range of disaster: To define the subject phenomenon
and its scale and forecast the range of disaster using the digital
simulation technology.
• Publication, dissemination and education in the use of hazard maps: A
hazard map is significant only when it is publicly released to residents.
They can be used residents in evacuation and when their lives are in
danger. Prevention information to residents by means of hazard maps.
It is necessary to furnish residents with school education and disaster
prevention training once a year or more and repeatedly disseminate
the disaster prevention information through various methods. It is
better to plan events which will increase the resident’s participation.
Hazard maps and preventive works

• Hazard maps are not directly related to preventive works, but using
hazard maps, it is possible to estimate the cost of damages due to a
disaster. Further, hazard maps can be used for the economic
evaluation of a preventive work and for Benefit Cost (B/C) analysis. As
a result, the priority order of preventive works can be determined.
Data Sources for Hazard Mapping
• Community knowledge: A simple mapping of local experience can be achieved using local
knowledge. Tools used in rural development activities such as; Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)
and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) can be very useful in this work. The method is cost effective and the
outcome reflects the local perception of hazard. The information can overlay local contour maps.
• Surveys on historic events: There may be reports compiled on historic events, which may focus on
varying issues depending on its original purpose. However they may contain useful information.
• Scientific investigation and research: Usually carried out through teamwork with experts from an
array of different disciplines. For example, landslide hazard mapping would require skills of
geologists, geo-technical engineers, geomorphologists, topography and so on. Data over large areas
for extensive time periods are collected. These are multidisciplinary studies and each discipline
would provide tools and techniques, which become more sophisticated and more accurate over
time. Computer modeling using such data has opened up new vistas for hazard prediction.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) modeling from Remotely Sensed data are one outstanding
example
Community-based disaster
preparedness
• Community-based disaster preparedness refers to a proactive approach
in which community members, organizations, and local authorities
collaborate to enhance a community's ability to prepare for, respond to,
and recover from disasters. It involves engaging and empowering
individuals within a community to take ownership of their safety and
well-being by actively participating in disaster preparedness activities.
• Community-based disaster preparedness programs are vital initiatives
that aim to enhance a community's ability to withstand and respond
effectively to natural or human-induced disasters. These programs
typically involve collaboration between community members, local
organizations, and government agencies.
Objectives of Community-based
disaster preparedness
• Risk awareness and education: it helps Increase community members' understanding
of potential hazards, their risks, and the necessary actions to mitigate those risks.
• Emergency planning: it Facilitates the development of comprehensive emergency
plans at the community level, including evacuation routes, communication protocols,
and resource allocation strategies.
• Capacity building: it Enhances the community's ability to respond promptly and
effectively during emergencies through training programs, skill development, and
fostering partnerships.
• Resource mobilization: it Facilitates the identification and mobilization of local
resources and assets that can be utilized during disaster response and recovery efforts.
• Community resilience: It Fosters a sense of resilience and cohesion within the
community, enabling members to bounce back quickly and effectively after a disaster
occurs
Strategies of Community-based
disaster preparedness
• Community engagement: Actively involve community members in decision-making processes,
encouraging their participation, and incorporating their local knowledge and perspectives.
• Training and education: Conduct workshops, seminars, and training sessions to educate
community members on disaster preparedness, response techniques, first aid, and other
relevant skills.
• Risk assessment and planning: this should be done by Collaborating with experts to identify and
assess the specific risks faced by the community, leading to the development of tailored
emergency plans.
• Partnerships and networks: Establish partnerships with local organizations, government
agencies, and NGOs to leverage their expertise, resources, and support in implementing the
program effectively.
• Information dissemination: Implement communication strategies to ensure timely and accurate
dissemination of critical information before, during, and after a disaster. This includes using
various channels such as community meetings, social media, and local radio.
Outcomes of Community-based
disaster preparedness
• Improved preparedness: Community members are equipped with the knowledge, skills,
and resources to effectively respond to emergencies, reducing the impact on lives and
property.
• Enhanced response coordination: there is effective collaboration and coordination
among community members, local organizations, and authorities to enable more
efficient and organized responses during disasters.
• Reduced vulnerability: The implementation of preventive measures and risk reduction
strategies minimizes the community's vulnerability to disasters.
• Increased community resilience: Communities develop a sense of self-reliance, social
cohesion, and adaptive capacity, enabling them to recover and rebuild more quickly
following a disaster.
• Sustainable impact: The program's long-term success contributes to sustainable disaster
preparedness and creates a culture of safety and resilience within the community.
Significance of Community-based
disaster preparedness
• Lives saved and injuries minimized: Prepared communities are more likely to have effective
evacuation plans, emergency shelters, and knowledge of life-saving techniques, leading to a
reduced loss of life and injuries during disasters.
• Reduced economic losses: Prepared communities can minimize damage to infrastructure,
homes, and businesses, resulting in lower economic losses and faster recovery.
• Empowerment and community ownership: By involving community members in the planning
and implementation of disaster preparedness programs, individuals feel empowered and take
ownership of their safety and well-being.
• Social cohesion and community bonds: Community-based disaster preparedness programs
foster collaboration, trust, and social cohesion among residents, strengthening community
bonds and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Efficient resource allocation: Prepared communities can efficiently allocate resources during
emergencies, optimizing the use of available assets and reducing the burden on external
response agencies.