Disaster risk management

Abstract

Disaster risk management involves overall understanding and realization of potential hazards, identification of vulnerable people and property, risk evaluation, institutional support, and the adoption of a culture invested in preserving institutional knowledge. Various qualitative and quantitative methods can be used for risk assessment for the purpose of the development of a disaster risk management framework. The use of indicators to capture a sense of the central components in a holistic risk management process is worth examining. It is, however, safe to say that in recent years, most nations have shown an increasing trend toward developing comprehensive disaster management programs. They have broadened their national disaster management programs to encompass risk assessment, risk control, mitigation, preparedness, political will, economic feasibility, response, recovery, resilience building, and strategic and sustainable development activities. The success of such a framework or program may depend on the commitment of stakeholders such as communities, professionals, academics, and policy and decision makers.