Disaster Risk Management SACN + Wits University Krisno Nimpuno Office of Disaster Preparedness in Africa (ODPA) Wits University Brian Boshoff School of Architecture and Planning Wits University
Types of Disasters Natural Disasters Floods Fire Pests e.g. locusts Cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes Earthquakes Tsunamis Drought Heat or cold waves Volcanoes
Human induced disasters Chemical spills Oil spills Nuclear leakage Transport accidents air, rail, road, sea Terrorism Pollution Epidemics Refugees Civil strife Resettlement
Disaster deaths per year in Africa (1998-2008) Natural Disasters Droughts/famines 1 130 Earthquakes/tsunamis 3 349 Extreme temperatures 125 Floods 7 623 Windstorms 1 551
Insect infestation 0 Forest/scrub fires 124 Landslides, rockfalls, subsidence bid 98 Mudslides, avalanches, subsidence 175 Volcanic eruptions 206 Subtotal climato, hydrometeorological disasters 10 728 Subtotal geophysical disasters 3 653 TOTAL # DEATHS NATURAL TOTAL # DEATHS NATURAL DISASTERS 14 381
Technological Disasters Industrial accidents 2 443 Misc. accidents 3 273 Transport accidents 25 929 TOTAL # DEATHS TECHNO DISASTERS 31 645
DISASTER DEATHS (1998-2008) Total technological 31 645 Ttl Total natural 14 381 TOTAL 46 026
RISK CONTEXT: Sustainable Development Political context - essential for action 3 contexts socio cultural economic environmental Risk Awareness
RISK = H x V/C Classifying hazards Natural / human induced Slow / rapid onset Technological Environmental degradation
VULNERABILITY Physical Social Economic Ecological Root causes and dynamic pressures Access to power and resources Lack of institutions, skills, training Unsafe conditions Fragile environment and economy Fragile environment and economy Lack of disaster preparedness
Global Warming A Weapon of Mass Destruction?
GLOBAL WARMING: Early Warning Signs Spreading disease Coral reef bleaching Heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather Glaciers melting Earlier spring arrival Downpours, heavy snowfalls, and flooding Sea level rise and coastal flooding Arctic and Antarctic warming Plant and animal range shifts and population declines Droughts and fires
CHANGE IMPACTS SIMPLE EXTREMES Higher temperatures Death, illness, heat stress in livestock, ocean warming Cooler temperatures Death, illness, extended range of pest and disease vectors More intense precipitation Increased floods, landslides, debris flows, soil erosion COMPLEX EXTREMES Increased summer drying Decreased crop yields, increased damage to building foundations caused by ground shrinkage Increase in tropical cyclone peak wind intensities Increased risk to life, disease, epidemics; increased coastal erosion and damage to coastal buildings and infrastructure and ecosystems
RISK ASSESSMENT A process to determine the nature and extent of risk Risk perception REQUIRED: Policy and public commitment Understanding
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A Spare Earth?
Disaster Management Act, 2002. IDPs
ACT To provide for- an integrated and co-ordinatedordinated disaster management policy that focuses on preventing or reducing the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, emergency preparedness, rapid and effective response to disasters and post-disaster recovery;
the establishment of national, provincial and municipal disaster management centres disaster management volunteers matters incidental thereto.
In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise "disaster" means a progressive or sudden, widespread or localised. natural or human-caused occurrence which- (a) causes or threatens to cause- (i) death, injury or disease; 3 5 (ii) damage to property, infrastructure or the environment: or (iii) disruption of the life of a community
is of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of those affected by the disaster to cope with its effects using only their own resources;
"disaster management" means a continuous and integrated multi-sectoral. multi-disciplinary process of planning and implementation ti of measures aimed at-
(a) preventing or reducing the risk of disasters; (b) mitigating the severity or consequences of disasters; (C) emergency preparedness: (d) a rapid and effective response to disasters; and (e) post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation;
DISASTER MYTHS MYTH ONE 'Disasters are random killers MYTH TWO 'The correct response to disasters is immediately sending international relief goods: tents, blankets and drugs'.
MYTH THREE 'Foreign volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed'. MYTH FOUR 'Disaster victims need goods, not knowledge'
MYTH FIVE 'Unburied corpses of disaster victims cause the spread of contagious diseases'. MYTH SIX 'Anti social behaviour such as looting, robberies and rape is common in the wake of fdi disasters'.
MYTH NINE 'Disaster victims who do not panic are helpless, dazed or numb; unable to cope with the post disaster situation'. MYTH SEVEN 'Communities break down and morale is low after disasters. People leave and services are not resumed MYTH EIGHT 'Panic flight: People in danger will panic and breakdown in hysterics or flee in panic with little consideration for the safety of others'.
MYTH NINE 'Disaster victims who do not panic are helpless, dazed or numb and unable to cope with the post disaster situation'. MYTH TEN 'Disasters cause long term psychological problems. The first shock is followed by a long period of trauma and emotional scars'.
MYTH TWELVE Disasters result in dangerous chaos. MYTH ELEVEN 'Relocating disaster victims in temporary settlements is the best alternative'. MYTH TWELVE Disasters result in dangerous chaos.