The Issues of Conceptual Framework in Disaster Management

Disasters are a major problem worldwide and a serious threat to sustainable development. Malawi is no exception. Disasters, as defined by DoDMA, are serious disruptions of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources (Disaster Risk Management handbook for Malawi, 2013). They can be short- or long-term in their duration. Disasters can be sudden events (or shocks), such as disease outbreaks, storms, earthquakes and conflict, but they can also arise from the accumulation of stresses, such as long-running drought, the degradation of natural resources, unplanned urbanisation, climate change, political instability and economic decline. For instance, a lot of people lost their lives in Pakistan due to an earthquake which occurred in 2005 (Abbot, 2008). Consequently, this essay will unpack conceptual issues such as disaster risk, disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

Originally, Disasters occurs when a hazard risk is realised. To be considered disastrous, the realised hazard must overwhelm the response capability of community (Ansell & Wharton, 1992). FEMA (1997) defines hazards as events or physical conditions that have the potential to cause fatalities, injuries, property damage, infrastructure damage, agricultural loss, damage to the environment, interruption of business, or other types of harms or losses. These hazards are typically classified into different types. Firstly, natural disaster which include floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcano eruptions. For instance, an earthquake which occurred in 2005 in Pakistan. Secondly, environmental emergences which includes technological or industrial accidents usually involving use or transportation of hazardous material. For instance, forest fires caused by humans. In addition to that, pandemic emergencies’ which involve sudden onset of contagious diseases that affects health, disrupts services and business. For example, Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lastly, man-made disasters. These are hazards which are created by humans. For example, when large number of people gather for a concert or a sporting event mass casualty incident can occur. However, what determines a hazard to become a disaster, are risks and vulnerabilities. Risks are possibilities that a chosen action or activity, including the choice of in action will lead to a loss (Abbott, 2008). On the other hand, vulnerability refers to the potential for casualty, destruction, damage, disruption or other form of loss in a particular element (Alexander, 2000). For instance, Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre, few people are allowed to enter below its recommended capacity during events because it has outlived its life span. It is done so to avoid mass casualty incidents that may occur if it carries more people. On a different dimension, Disaster risk is the potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged assets which could occur to a system, society or community in a specific period of time, determined probabilistic-ally as a function of hazard, exposure and capacity (UNISDR, 2009). When a settlement is established on the shores of a river all people asset, structures located inside that area are all exposed to possible damage from floods. In Malawi, for instance, settlements along Shire River in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts are prone to floods.

Above and beyond, disaster risk reduction is a systematic approach consisting of actions that aim to minimize the extent of disaster risks and loss and to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable communities, households and individuals in order for them to withstand the negative impacts of potential hazards taking place in their areas (ECM, 2005). It aims at reducing socio-economic vulnerabilities to disasters as well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that cause them (UNISDR). It is generally agreed that national governments should be the main actors in disaster reduction. They have a duty to ensure safety of citizens, the resources and capacity to implement, a mandate to direct or coordinate the work of other actors, and create the necessary policy and legislative frameworks (Twiggy,2015).For instance, Malawi government committed itself to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response by setting up a department of disaster management affairs. Disaster risk reductions strategies and policies define goals and objectives which indicate targets and time frames i.e. Malawi National Disaster Risk Reduction framework of 2010-2015. However, the communities should also play their part in disaster risk reduction by land use planning. The main purpose is construct new residential and industrial development away from hazardous zones (Etkin, 2016). For instance, communities who resides long shire river basin should evacuate to the safe areas as a way of reducing risks.

Additionally, disaster management refers to the systematic process of using administrative decisions, organizations, operational skills and capacities to implement policies, strategies, and coping capacities of society and communities to lessen the impacts of natural of natural hazards and related environmental and technological disasters (UNIDSR, 2009). It is mostly emphasized on providing response to those who may be affected or are affected by disasters to manage disasters risks. These processes are achieved through a number of stages which are followed. Primarily, the paramount measure which is prevention of disasters. These are activities or measure that provide outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. For example, building of a dike along Shire River in Chikwawa was a part of disaster management as a way of lessening the impacts of incoming floods. Furthermore, mitigation. These are structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of hazards and related disaster. In mitigation process, pans are made and actions are taken to eliminate or reduce the threat of future death and destruction when natural hazards become great hazards (Wisner et.al, 2004). It can take place before, during or after a disaster. For example, planting of drought tolerant crops like cassava when there is a warning of possible drought or evacuation away from hazard zones in order to save lives. In addition to that, disaster preparedness is one way of disaster management. Disaster preparedness is defined as the pre-arranged emergency measures taken to minimize the loss of life and property damage following the onset of disaster (Smith, 1991). It involves the detailed planning and testing of prompt and efficient responses to hazard threats. Once a threat has been identified, various groups of people and officials’ different interests become involved in the assembly and transport of relevant information. The aim of early warning systems is to enable individuals and communities threatened by hazards to act effectively and in sufficient time to reduce the likelihood of death, injury and damage to property and the environment. In Malawi a number of institutions collect and disseminate early warning information to stakeholders on occurrence of particular hazards through the media. For instance, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services of Malawi warn the public by providing messages which advises the public at risk about the impending disaster such as seasonal weather forecast like floods, drought and what steps should be taken to minimise losses.

Preparedness also comprises the development or review of contingency plans, mobilizing funds for response and preposition of relief items. Lastly, recovery is another process in disaster management. Recovery referrers to the decisions and actions which are taken after a disaster with a view to restore or improve the pre-disaster living conditions to the stricken community (UNIDSR). It involves rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure and restoring of livelihoods. After a disaster, earning a living will very soon be a priority for the victims. Disaster response agencies sometimes fail to appreciate how important this is. For example, in the case of drought, interventions are often launched only after communities have begun to dispose of essential livelihood assets as the last resort in their coping strategy. Relief efforts also risk undermining local markets and incomes by flooding them with goods (e.g. food aid, shelter materials) or outside labour (e.g. in housing reconstruction programmes. Disaster response programmes usually recognise the need for livelihood support. Relief or rehabilitation aid commonly includes food- or cash-for-work and it is common to provide seeds and tools, livestock, household utensils and shelters (Twiggy,2015).

Currently, science and technology is taking a more appropriate place in hazard reduction in understanding and predicting future environmental changes. This helps the policy makers to prepare for the impending threats. However, disaster will never be eliminated but progress will be achieved if the communities are empowered through information and resources. As a result, they will understand and participate more actively in disaster risk reduction and management.