FIMA Year Book 2010-2011 - Federation of Islamic Medical ...

TOTAL DISASTER RISK
other’s capacities through partnerships and
cooperation, will definitely improve our profile.
4. TDRM applies disaster risk management in
all the phases of the disaster management
cycle.
We can improve our efforts to reduce disaster
risks of their adverse impacts if we apply disaster
risk management throughout the disaster
management cycle. The approach mainstreams
disaster risk management into development
activities and links them in all the phases of the
disaster management cycle, as shown in Figure I.
Figure I:
The phases of the disaster management cycle
With reducing disaster risks as an aim, it becomes
imperative for us to ensure that our disaster
response and our rehabilitation and reconstruction
efforts do not put back the affected communities
into the same vulnerable situation as they were
before.
This calls for a better understanding of how
disaster risks are shaped (hazard mapping and risk
analysis) and how to translate this knowledge into
action to reduce the vulnerability of communities
(disaster risk reduction).
We must give importance to measures and
interventions that could effectively reduce disaster
risks in whichever phase of the disaster
management cycle.
We should also constantly enhance our capacity
not only in disaster preparedness and response
(e.g. emergency drills, search and rescue, and
relief distribution), but also in disaster mitigation,
prevention, rehabilitation and reconstruction that
should reduce disaster risks as well (e.g.
reforestation, construction of flood control basins,
tide wall and erosion control dams, hazard and
risk mapping, and land use planning).
5. TDRM encourages the multidimensional
involvement and cooperation of all
stakeholders, including the government, the
private sector, and the local community
Since tackling disaster risks could be an
overwhelming problem for one group or
organization, a multidimensional, that means
multilevel, multiagency, and multidisciplinary
approach should be the norm. It is a continuous
process where all stakeholders should take an
active part. It should also be both a bottom-up
approach, that empowers local communities to
understand and deal with their own disaster risks,
and a top-down approach that encourages
governments to establish a national policy for
disaster risk reduction and response.
To give an idea of an effective disaster risk
reduction and response, here are some features:
• Presence of Early Warning System that works
effectively.
• The public is aware of risks and knows how to
respond properly.
• People’s resilience is founded on faith,
knowledge, and past experiences.
• Preparedness and response plans are tested and
improved periodically.
• A relief activity promptly answers needs of
victims without creating dependency.
• Recovery from a disaster is attained beyond
the previous state of vulnerability of the
community.
• Reconstruction and rehabilitation activities do
not rebuild risks.
FIMA YearBook 2010-2011
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