Upon completion of this unit, the participants will be able to:

Define the term Disaster.Describe the concept of a disaster cycle.List two types of disaster, and their causes, that may affect the local community, and two things that can be done to minimize the effects.

DISASTERNatural or man-caused event which causes intense negative impacts on people, goods and services and/or the environment, exceeding the affected communitys capability to respond adequately.

DISASTER MANAGEMENTA collective term encompassing all aspects of planning for and responding to disasters, including both pre- and post-disaster activities. It refers to both the risk and the consequences of a disaster.

ADVERSE EVENTNatural or man-made event which causes intense negative impacts on people, goods and services and/or the environment.

EMERGENCYAdverse event that can be taken care of by local community resources.

INCIDENTNatural or man-made event that requires the action of emergency services to protect lives, goods and environment.

DEVELOPMENTThe cumulative and lasting increase, tied to social changes, in the quantity and quality of a communitys goods, services and resources, with the purpose of maintaining and improving the security and quality of human life.

Disaster Cycle

HAZARDThe potential for a natural or man-caused event to occur with negative consequences.

VULNERABILITYThe extent to which a communitys structure, services or environment is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of a hazard.

RISKThe probability that a disaster will occur given the hazard and vulnerability.

PREVENTIONMeasures taken for the purpose of preventing natural or man-caused phenomena from causing or giving rise to disasters or other emergency situations.

MITIGATIONMeasures taken to reduce the loss of life, livelihood and property by disasters, either by reducing vulnerability or by modifying the hazard, where possible.

PREPAREDNESSMeasures taken to reduce to the minimum level possible, the loss of human lives and other damage through the organising of prompt and efficient actions of response and rehabilitation.

ALERTThe notice or signal issued indicating that specific precautions should be taken because of the probability or proximity of a dangerous event.

RESPONSEActions carried out in a disaster situation with the objective of saving lives, alleviating suffering and reducing economic losses.

REHABILITATIONThe restoring of basic services and the beginning of the repair of physical, social and economic damage.

RECONSTRUCTIONThe medium- and long-term repair of physical, social and economic damage, and the return of affected structures to a condition equal to, or better than before the disaster.