Monday Tech Talk Disaster Management

This Monday Tech Talk focuses on disaster management, which is the discipline of dealing with disaster risks. It is a continuous process that consists of four phases, namely mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. All 4 phases are considered when a Disaster Management plan is compiled.

In this presentation, we’ll explore the framework, challenges, and key initiatives related to disaster management in the country. Some of the requirements discussed in this presentation are in compliance with The Disaster Management Act of 2002, which provides the legal basis for disaster management in South Africa.

Disasters are as old as human history, but it was the 1883 explosion of Krakatoa that started the development of what is now known as the discipline of disaster management. This explosion was heard over a distance of 2968 miles; it produced a tsunami 30 meters high, caused 36 417 deaths and destroyed 165 villages. It was the first time that telecommunications was used to distribute the news of the disaster, and it resulted in the first international relief effort.

• Mitigation – The aim of mitigation efforts is to prevent hazards from developing into disasters (avoiding or preventing) or to reduce the effects of disasters when they do occur. This phase is different from the other phases because it focuses on long-term measures designed to reduce or eliminate disaster risk. The mitigative measures can be structural or non-structural.
• Structural mitigation refers to any physical construction to reduce or avoid the impact of disasters. It includes engineering measures and the construction of hazard-resistant and protective structures and infrastructure. These measures include;
  • Construction of dams for flood control
  • Construction of flood levies
  • Construction of mudflow channels
  • Retrofit measures that include design process and guidelines to, for example, enhancing seismic performance of existing buildings in earthquake prone locations.

The preparedness phase is a continuous cycle of planning, organising, training, equipping, exercising evaluation and improvement activities. Effective preparedness is dependent on the incorporation of appropriate measures in national and regional development plans, as is the case with mitigation efforts. The effectiveness of preparedness measures further depends on the availability of information on hazards, disaster risk and the countermeasures to be taken and on the degree to which government agencies, non-government organisations and the general public can make use of the available information.

The purpose of disaster response is to provide immediate assistance in the face of disaster, to maintain life, improve health and support the morale of the affected population. The response actions commence with the warning of an oncoming disaster or when the disaster strikes without warning.

The following are typical disaster response activities:

• Warning – Information regarding the nature of the danger and imminent disaster threats must be rapidly disseminated.
• Evacuation and mitigation – This the relocation of people from an area that is at risk of an imminent disaster to a safer location. An efficient evacuation plan requires the following:
  • A timely and accurate warning system.
  • Clearly marked or identified evacuation or escape routes
  • An established policy that requires every person to evacuate upon receiving an evacuation order.
  • Public training programmes to inform communities of the emergency procedures.

• Search and rescue (SAR) – SAR is the process during which the location of disaster victims that may be trapped or isolated is identified and the victims are brought to safety and medical attention.
• Post disaster assessment – The objective of a post disaster assessment is to provide a clear, concise picture of the post-disaster situation.
• Response and relief – Immediate post disaster response and relief is vital and is dependent on an effective disaster management plan. Relief is the provision of material aid and emergency medical care necessary to save and preserve lives. It enables families to meet their basic needs for medical and health care, shelter, clothing, water and food.
• Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation is the collective action taken in the aftermath of a disaster to restore basic services.
• Reconstruction – Reconstruction encompasses the following: permanent construction or replacement of destroyed or severely damaged physical structures and full restoration of all services and local infrastructure.

As the response phase activities bring the emergency under control, the recovery phase kicks into gear. The change-over from response to recovery does not occur at a distinct point of the disaster management process. The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state. The focus of the recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after survivor’s immediate needs are addressed. The recovery activities will continue until all systems return to normal or better.

Disaster management is an intricate and continuous process crucial for safeguarding communities against the myriad of risks posed by natural and human-induced disasters. Through the comprehensive framework encompassing mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, disaster management initiatives aim to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience in the face of adversity. As highlighted in Monday Tech Talk Disaster Management, the collaboration between government agencies, non-government organizations, and the public is imperative in effectively implementing disaster management strategies and mitigating the impacts of catastrophes. By adhering to the principles outlined in The Disaster Management Act, 2002, and leveraging key initiatives such as those led by the Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), societies can strive towards building safer and more resilient environments for present and future generations.