1. What is a disaster?
There are various defenitions for a disaster, made up by sources ranging from governments to
NGO’s/journalists (depending on their agenda). Our definition is:
An extreme phenomenon of great intensity and limited duration. It occurs at a certain location and
involves a complex interplay between physical and human systems. It causes loss of lives and threats
public health, as well as physical damage an disruption of livelihood systems and society. It outstrips
local capacities and resources and requires help from outside to cope with.
EM-DAT is a disaster database. They have their own definition in order to add something to their
database: 10+ fatalities, 100+ affected, a state of emergency has been declared, international
assistance has been called for.
There is a sharp increase in hydro-meteorological disasters. Fewer people die, but more get affected
and there is more damage. This is mostly in developing countries and mostly affects poor people.
2. History of disaster studies
First piece of “disaster reduction studies” was with the Lisbon earthquake in 1755.
Four paradigms:
1. Control paradigm (early 20th century)
2. Behaviourist paradigm (1950-1970)
3. Vulnerability paradigm (1980-1990)
4. Complexity paradigm (1990-now)
Explanation:
1. Structures, warning systems etc. Hazards are external and we can control them. Building
dikes
2. Is about incentives. People expose themselves unduly to hazards and can be incited to make
other choices. Zoning people, giving them incentives (through tax etc)
3. Some have more choices than others. It is often about “where you are in society”/how much
resources you have. Tackle root causes of vulnerability
4. Takes systemic interconnections and feedbacks into account and accepts nonlinearity.
Disaster as incidents reveal structural vulnerabilities. It allows a mix of technical and social
interventions. Adaptive management.
,
, 3. DRR cycle and drought management
This cycle is since 1970’s present. The common idea is the risk approach (R=H*I). All stages matter
and risk can be reduced within all stages. Living with risk is normal, but hazards do not have to
become disasters. Follows from Chicago school
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the severity of disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
DRR reduces severity
Time -> No DRR
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the frequency of disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
Problems with DRR cycle:
- Thechnocracy looms.
- Only focussed on one risk, not an cascade of disastersDRR
or reduced
complex emergencies.
frequency
- AssumptionTimeof risks
-> are external remains No DRR
- Not helpful when risk is infrequent.
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the severity and frequency of
disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
DRR reduces frequency and severity
Time -> No DRR
-
Linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD), means that the stages within the cycle
have, to a certain extend, an overlap. Current development: Beyond mere relief, aid
agencies seek to link to normality e.g. microcredits to prevent perverse effects of crisis mode
There are various defenitions for a disaster, made up by sources ranging from governments to
NGO’s/journalists (depending on their agenda). Our definition is:
An extreme phenomenon of great intensity and limited duration. It occurs at a certain location and
involves a complex interplay between physical and human systems. It causes loss of lives and threats
public health, as well as physical damage an disruption of livelihood systems and society. It outstrips
local capacities and resources and requires help from outside to cope with.
EM-DAT is a disaster database. They have their own definition in order to add something to their
database: 10+ fatalities, 100+ affected, a state of emergency has been declared, international
assistance has been called for.
There is a sharp increase in hydro-meteorological disasters. Fewer people die, but more get affected
and there is more damage. This is mostly in developing countries and mostly affects poor people.
2. History of disaster studies
First piece of “disaster reduction studies” was with the Lisbon earthquake in 1755.
Four paradigms:
1. Control paradigm (early 20th century)
2. Behaviourist paradigm (1950-1970)
3. Vulnerability paradigm (1980-1990)
4. Complexity paradigm (1990-now)
Explanation:
1. Structures, warning systems etc. Hazards are external and we can control them. Building
dikes
2. Is about incentives. People expose themselves unduly to hazards and can be incited to make
other choices. Zoning people, giving them incentives (through tax etc)
3. Some have more choices than others. It is often about “where you are in society”/how much
resources you have. Tackle root causes of vulnerability
4. Takes systemic interconnections and feedbacks into account and accepts nonlinearity.
Disaster as incidents reveal structural vulnerabilities. It allows a mix of technical and social
interventions. Adaptive management.
,
, 3. DRR cycle and drought management
This cycle is since 1970’s present. The common idea is the risk approach (R=H*I). All stages matter
and risk can be reduced within all stages. Living with risk is normal, but hazards do not have to
become disasters. Follows from Chicago school
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the severity of disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
DRR reduces severity
Time -> No DRR
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the frequency of disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
Problems with DRR cycle:
- Thechnocracy looms.
- Only focussed on one risk, not an cascade of disastersDRR
or reduced
complex emergencies.
frequency
- AssumptionTimeof risks
-> are external remains No DRR
- Not helpful when risk is infrequent.
Development trajectory when DRR reduces the severity and frequency of
disasters
Level of Development ->
Disaster
Disaster
DRR reduces frequency and severity
Time -> No DRR
-
Linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD), means that the stages within the cycle
have, to a certain extend, an overlap. Current development: Beyond mere relief, aid
agencies seek to link to normality e.g. microcredits to prevent perverse effects of crisis mode
