DISASTER RISK
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
• Disaster risk reduction
(DRR) is defined as "a
systematic approach to
Identifying, assessing and
reducing the risks of
disaster. It aims to reduce
socio- economic
vulnerabilities to disaster
as well as deal with the
environmental and other
hazards that trigger
them" (Asian Disaster
Reduction Center - ADRC).
• "The conceptual framework
of elements considered with
the possibilities to minimize
vulnerabilities and disaster
risks throughout a society, to
avoid (prevention) or to limit
(mitigation and preparedness)
the adverse impacts of
hazards, within the broad
context of sustainable
development.” – UNISDR &
UNDP
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
DRR
1. Development can either
increase or decrease disaster
risk
2. Disaster risk reduction
policy, laws and regulations
will NOT save lives unless
correctly implemented in
communities.
3. The "community" is the
front line of disaster risk
management.
4. Disaster Risk Reduction is
not a "stand alone" activity -
it cuts across almost all
categories of human activity.
5. Integrating disaster risk
reduction at the national,
provincial and
community levels takes a
long time to achieve.
6. DRR must become a
normal part of the
decentralized development
process.
ELEMENTS OF DRR
1. Disaster Risk Reduction
Continuum Ongoing
development activities -
Ongoing DRM aspects in
different development
programs
Risk assessment -
Diagnostic process to identify
the risks that a community
faces.
Prevention - Activities to
avoid the adverse impact of
hazards
Mitigation - Structural/non-
structural measures
undertaken to limit the
adverse impact
