Disaster risk management and community resilience

Abstract

Natural disasters are present in different parts of the world. They bring many challenges for society and individuals. These challenges require people and communities to be ready and able to efficiently respond in a way that can accelerate the re-establishment of social order and social functioning. An effective community response involves developing strategies to cut the risk of natural disasters that encompass multiple issues: maintaining a built environment, developing warning systems and developing knowledge and capabilities for community response, etc. Since mitigation and warning processes are never fully effective, the development of a resilient society must focus on learning and developing community knowledge, understanding the dangers and developing the ability to respond and adapt.