Total Disaster Risk Management - Good Practices - Chapter 2
2.2 Disaster Risk Management Cycle
The disaster risk management cycle, shown in Figure 2.2, consists of four phases: Prevention/Mitigation and
Preparedness in the pre-disaster stage, and Response and Rehabilitation/Reconstruction in post-disaster stage.
In the “Prevention/Mitigation” phase, efforts are made to prevent or mitigate damage (e.g. construction of
dikes and dams against floods). Activities and measures for ensuring an effective response to the impact of
hazards are classified as “Preparedness” (e.g. emergency drills and public awareness) and are not aimed at
averting the occurrence of a disaster. “Response” includes such activities as rescue efforts, first aid, fire
fighting and evacuation. In the “Rehabilitation/Reconstruction” phase, considerations of disaster risk
reduction should form the foundations for all activities. Examples of measures taken in each phase are listed
in Table 2.1. Taking appropriate measures based on the concept of disaster risk management in each phase of
the disaster risk management cycle can reduce the overall disaster risk.
Disaster
Response
Preparedness
Rehabilitation
Prevention Reconstruction
Mitigation
Figure 2.2 Disaster Risk Management Cycle
Asian Disaster Reduction Center
14
Total Disaster Risk Management - Good Practices - Chapter 2
Table 2.1 Example of Measures in Each Disaster Risk Management Phase
Disaster Storm
Earthquake Flood (cyclone, typhoon, Landslide
Phase hurricane)
- Seismic design - Construction of - Construction of - Construction of
- Retrofitting of dike tide wall erosion control
vulnerable - Building of dam - Establishment dams
buildings - Forestation of forests to - Construction of
Prevention/
- Installation of protect against retaining walls
Mitigation - Construction of storms
seismic flood control
isolation/ basins/
seismic reservoirs
response
control systems
- Construction - Construction - Construction of - Construction
and operation of and operation of shelter and operation of
earthquake meteorological - Construction meteorological
observation observation and operation of observation
systems systems meteorological systems
observation
Preparedness systems
- Preparation of hazard maps
- Food & material stockpiling
- Emergency drills
- Construction of early warning systems
- Preparation of emergency kits
- Rescue efforts
- First aid treatment
Response - Fire fighting
- Monitoring of secondary disaster
- Construction of temporary housing
- Establishment of tent villages
- Disaster resistant reconstruction
Rehabilitation/ - Appropriate land use planning
Reconstruction - Livelihood support
- Industrial rehabilitation planning
Asian Disaster Reduction Center
15
