Disaster Preparedness and Management

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the definitions, phases, and key international and national agencies involved in disaster management and preparedness.

Disaster Management

The organization, planning and application of measures preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters; a continuous process involving risk reduction, timely response, and sustainable recovery.

Prevention

The phase of disaster management that focuses on avoiding a disaster from happening entirely by eliminating or reducing hazards, such as through environmental planning and design standards.

Mitigation

The effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters through actions like enforcing building codes, zoning requirements, and flood control projects.

Preparedness

A continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, and evaluating to ensure readiness to respond to all hazards, incidents, and emergencies.

Response

Immediate actions taken during or just after a disaster to ensure safety, save lives, and meet basic needs, including search and rescue and activating emergency centers.

Recovery

Long-term efforts that continue beyond the emergency period to restore critical functions, rebuild infrastructure, and return the affected area to normalcy.

Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR)

A global agreement adopted by the United Nations in March $2015$ that provides a blueprint for nations to make communities safer by managing disaster risks through $2030$.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

The international agency that coordinates global efforts to reduce disaster risks and promotes the implementation of the Sendai Framework.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

The apex body in India responsible for formulating disaster management policies, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The United States agency responsible for coordinating the federal response to disasters and supporting state and local governments during emergencies.