International day for natural disasters reduction

Natural disasters as the name implies refers to events that occurs naturally which have the potential for causing harm to ecosystems, human life and properties, such events includes floods, droughts, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunami among others.

Natural disasters claim the lives of hundreds of people and biodiversity, unsustainable human activities over years have induced the level of natural disasters thereby increasing the rate of occurrence and aggravating the magnitude, Almost 80% of natural disasters experienced in modern days are man induced. Human activities proven to be the cause of aggravating natural disasters include deforestation for agricultural and commercial purposes, overgrazing, burning of fossil fuels leading to climate change, and uncontrolled mining activities. The impact of natural disasters is mostly felt by some vulnerable groups i. e those living in coastal areas, rural farmers, and other vulnerable communities.

Natural disasters are of global concern due to the increase in the rate at which they occur.

13 October is designated by the UN General Assembly as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction.

The 2022 International Day focus is the Target G of the Sendai framework : “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.” The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides Member States with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster(UNDRR).

Disaster Risk management should be carried out in the following stages:

1.risk assessment

2.prevention

3.mitigation

4.preparedness and

5.response.

Risk assessment is the combined effort of identifying and analyzing potential events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment; and making judgments "on the tolerability of the risk on the basis of a risk analysis" while considering influencing factors. Risk assessment is carried out in other to have an insight on the possible effect natural disasters will have on the environment and human health before their occurrence so as to find meanse of preventing the occurrence or to provide mitigation measures ahead, it is the first stage of every risk management plan.

Prevention is the most suitable both in terms of cost and zero casualties, it is said that prevention is better than cure, this has to deal with early warnings and evacuation of people and assets from vulnerable communities before natural disasters occur, it is cost effective than mitigation, it ensures that life, properties and the environment are safeguarded.

Mitigation simply put is a curative rather than a preventive measures, it takes place after a diasater must have already taken place, it involves provision of relief materials and incentives from government to the vulnerable groups in other to lessen the negative effects of the disasters that have already taken place.

Preparedness: early warnings by experts on the impending dangers have taken place, but instead of evacuating the vulnerable communities, measures are put in place to welcome such events which include building high fences in case of floods, Installing anti-vibration equipment on buildings in case of an earthquake and many more.

Response is equally the responsibility of the government and other stakeholders, it shouldn't reach to this stage unless all other measures fell through, prevention would always be better than cure .

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