Disaster Preparedness: Are We Prepared for Public Health Emergency?

Abstract

Complete prevention of disasters is feasible only if it is possible to eliminate people’s susceptibility to hazards by moving populations away from hazard zones, providing complete protection from hazards, or preventing the physical hazard altogether. This has occasionally been achieved, e.g. the virus responsible for smallpox was eradicated, and cities have been protected from flooding by diverting rivers to alternative courses. However, to survive or improve well-being, humans are prepared to take risks and will even resettle in areas previously affected by natural disasters. The best that can usually be done is therefore to reduce the potential impact of emergencies and disasters. Mitigation actions aimed at reducing (but not eliminating) the impact of future hazard events and reduction of the susceptibility of high-risk groups are then the goals. National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) elaborates on national priorities, institutional capacity development, training communities, and professional technical education. Important components of the capacity development are training, education, research and last but not the least awareness generation.