Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness is defined as a continuous and integrated process involving a wide range of activities and multi-sectoral resources.  Preparedness pays when done well. In order that disaster preparedness is undertaken with rewarding outcomes, those involved in the process must approach it from a mitigative, response, recovery and business continuity perspective of the Disaster Management Cycle.

Four levels of Disaster Preparedness

The four levels of Disaster Preparedness are Global, National, Community and Individual Levels.

Relationship between preparedness and mitigation

Mitigation and preparedness work together. Mitigation aims to reduce vulnerability to disasters such as building earthquake resistant houses. Preparedness is the whole country’s readiness to deal with a disaster, including the implementation of mitigation measures. Preparedness is broader and includes issues such as the training and management of people and stockpiling food at strategic locations.

Gender Issues in Disaster Preparedness

Gender issues are important and must be included in all plans of the disaster management cycle to make it more effective and efficient. For instance, the inclusion of women in the formulation of plans may result in more relevant and speedier delivery of relief responses to affected children given their natural proximity to them.

Crop diversification and Disaster Preparedness

The Different crops possess varying degrees of resistance to damage from different disasters. By diversifying crops instead of relying on just one, a farmer will have the resistant crops to depend on despite the destruction of the susceptible ones.