What is Disaster Management."Lets do the basics": October 2013

Wednesday 30 October 2013

Disaster Management Cycle. Preparedness.

Disaster Management Cycle. Preparedness.

Let’s get ready for it! We aim to get a satisfactory level of readiness to able us to respond to any emergency that may arise. The preparedness measures can be logistical with rehearsals, public education, developing the long and short term strategies and building warning systems. The second manifestation is in the form of food reserves like for the periodically drought stricken areas of Kenya (I am hoping that the decentralization of some services in Kenya will empower these areas to have reserves of their own.), equipment (Sadly the Kenya fire department has one engine that serves the entire Nairobi with its 4million plus residents), water, medications and other essentials are available and maintained in case of events. The measures include.

courtesy of The Disaster Management blog

Preparedness plans
Emergency exercises/training
Warning systems
Emergency communications systems
Evacuations plans and training
Resource inventories
Emergency personnel/contact lists
Mutual aid agreements
Public information/education

The top-bottom rule applies here just like in mitigation. We must include the national and regional development plans. Emergency preparedness demands the government be able to successfully deliver its responsibilities. Those involved in preparedness require a holistic approach, taking into account mitigation, response, recovery and the business side of preparedness. Mitigation and preparedness go hand in hand with mitigation policies reducing vulnerability and bolstering and creating resilience. The preparedness includes for example to ensure there is equipment is in available and maintained to be used in case of an emergency or educating people in slums on how to manage fires since the fire engines are not able to access them. The collective capability of a community to deal with catastrophes when they occur is a measure of their preparedness. In no way am I daring to water down the importance of mitigation but if one is to pick then preparedness would be the better choice with communities being empowered with causes of action to take in case of an emergency. A clear importance is emerging now that the formal authorities must be on the frontline of preparedness. It was for example the Kenya Defense Forces were not ready for a terror hostage event. They clearly would need more training to resolve such events with better skill. The IFRCRCS states that disaster preparedness requires global, national, community and individual inputs. It incorporates efficiency, effectiveness and impact of disaster emergency response mechanisms in the greater community.

Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Disaster Management Enthusiast

References

Emergency Management: the American Experience,1900-2010. ed. Claire B.Rubin

http://www.un-spider.org/about-us/news/en/6627/2013-04-25t154700/odi-report-disaster-risk-management-and-development

http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.col.org%2FSiteCollectionDocuments%2FDisaster_Management_version_1.0.pdf&ei=TU0fUu2pCcPD7AaN5YCwBw&usg=AFQjCNFTu0x4d83emTdP7PeqNce5_tocqw&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZGU

http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobookee.net%2Fintroduction-to-disaster-management%2F&ei=TU0fUu2pCcPD7AaN5YCwBw&usg=AFQjCNGfJUQc_bdnzhgRaoFoKkVLME69bw&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZGU

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Cont: The impact of disasters on development and vulnerabilities caused by development.

So I think it’s agreed that public policy must incorporate disaster management but what are the areas of concern? We will look at 1. Partnership 2. Flexibility 3. Selectivity

A. Partnership.
“No man is an island”, corny but true. Development feeds of bilateral foreign aid, collaboration among governments, communities, Ngo's private sectors and universities. Partnerships are important since they build ownership and the contribution of skill to ensure the best results. This is an area of concern number one.

Graidner partnership

B. Flexibility.

The draft must take into account that conditions vary in development and change rapidly leaning negatively or positively. Flexibility, adoptability and efficiency are key so that adjustments to the variations in the conditions can be met.

C. Selectivity

Development resources are limited to needs and these resources are scarce and investments must be carefully picked to ensure maximum impact. A 3 tier criteria is followed for assistance allocation among countries. One is the need for assistance, followed by the supplying nation’s foreign policy on the receiving nation and finally the countries commitment to reform and its leadership’s commitment. On a national level investment should be done in the areas that need it most given the scope of degradation to infrastructure, human and social systems, political and economical impact that a nation can suffer from a disaster to its development. Experts give the following as possible achievements of adequately formulated development policies.

Ø They authorize governments to define rehabilitation and reconstruction methods in response and recovery in the disaster management cycle.

Ø Set standards to manage and control public and private resources and their allocation for recovery.

Ø Support local laws, codes and regulations, interagency teamwork and collaboration to sustain the development.

Ø They make it possible for local communities to access resources for recovery that sustains development.

Ø Design risk reduction strategies for communities such as early warning measures.

Ø Allow government officials to use of hazard vulnerability mapping information to control relocation.

Ø Enforce land elevation and set procedures for compliance with zoning laws, codes and regulations.

Ø Provide for the development of land preservation in areas that need intervention and are under threat. For example the water catchment areas in the Mau in Kenya.

Ø Establish the framework for disaster assistance in the form of loans and public assistance for immediate recovery.

Ø Set out procedures for land use including maintaining natural mangrove for storm surge protection.

Quarantelli (1997) “policies can be established and steps can be taken that will reduce and weaken some negative effects of the probable catastrophic disasters of the future.” The policies mentioned can diminish the shattering impact that disasters place on development initiatives, particularly in developing countries where they set the country back significantly.

Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Disaster Management Enthusiast

References

Emergency Management: the American Experience,1900-2010. ed. Claire B.Rubin

Tuesday 15 October 2013

The impact of disasters on development and vulnerabilities caused by development

The effects can be complex and for this reason an evaluation must be done to reveal what will not be available and looking at the effect chain to see what are the short-term needs. The effect again to me being the various possibilities and realities that may be affected by the disaster.(I am yet to research if there is a are using the effect to mean something else since it’s my own train of thought) Among the poor this is very clear. For example it takes a lot to convince them to contribute towards the reduction of a risk unless it is clear what the benefits are, they are also at a disadvantage when it comes to education. They get fewer opportunities to succeed because they cannot afford the tuition. Education builds better societies and it makes communities aware of opportunities. So without it as a means of development it translates to more vulnerable communities. There is also the notion that many among the poor are women, young children and the elderly. Making them unable to confront the vulnerabilities they have. Urban development has also come with the need to have cheap housing that will cater to the needs of the poor and with this their homes lack access and basic amenities like security and water. The coastal region also has an example of development that can increase vulnerability. Resorts and hotels are often built in low laying beach areas exposed to the risk of tsunami. They also lies a risk therein of marine life being threatened. In land we notice deforestation causing landslides and in Kenya it has threatened water catchment areas that resulted in relocation of people by the government and tree planting being initiated. Ecologists can attest to the threat that comes with over feeding of the land due to livestock development that increases the chances of desertification. The development has also been in industry with plants being located near rivers, and residential areas not taking into account the health effects this poses. In Kenya for example the biggest dumping site is near a slum and the effects have been felt with people falling sick from the fumes and the leaks into the river due to the harmful emissions ubiquitous.

The light is not always dark because development programs can also mitigate vulnerability. Structural mitigation has measures that reduce economic loss and social impact of hazardous agents and includes construction of dams, terraces, man-made forests, earthquake stable structures etc. Following structural mitigation is non-structural mitigation that covers policies and practices. With this mitigation the net can be thrown farther to include education, environment awareness and community empowerment strategies. It is important that I emphasize the importance of incorporation of mitigation into policies and the fact that to fully be effective they must be part of development. The much praised Thika Road is well constructed but not looking into the hazard areas was a huge mistake since there is flooding in a section of it. This means the contractor failed to have a fail-safe in case of flooding yet it’s in a section near a stream that would be getting more water than usual due to the development. The placing of mitigation ensures preparation is done or avoidance altogether. It helps build networks for response among international organizations and the government that are key in disaster preparedness. A good relationship was seen between the security forces and the International Red Cross during the Kenya West Gate tragedy giving technical assistance and evacuation. So what are the options we have to incorporate mitigation into day to day development programs? Well here are some ways you can protect assets and communities.

epcb.blogspot.com

1. Strengthening urban utility systems and industrial support infrastructures. This especially important to lifeline systems like power, transport and water. Their efficiency can be bolstered and they can be made more resistant to hazards. 2. Opportunities in construction of hazard resistant buildings. For example raised homes in flood prone areas and buildings that can handle the shock of earthquakes. 3. Improved administration and strengthening the resource base of public institutions. This will have a general positive impact on mitigation, preparedness emergency responses and the quality of recovery. 4. Mitigation through Agricultural and Forestry programs. The examples are in reforestation programs, change in cropping methodology to ameliorate soil erosion problems and effects of floods or drought. We also have the obvious use of pest resistant crops. According to USAID the opportunities for incorporation of mitigation programs come with a price of investing already scarce resources.

The organization states that A .The operations must be directed at restoring assets or productivity in a long- term development perspective and not towards relief. B. The prospective economic returns should be high for sustainability and other reasons. C. The event that triggered the emergency should have a low chance of recurring soon. D. The urgency of response should be clear. E. Emergency lending is limited to cases where effective action can be felt in two to three years, and finally F. There should be some prospect for future reduction in the hazard.

Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Disaster Management Enthusiast

References

Emergency Management: the American Experience,1900-2010. ed. Claire B.Rubin