Page 130 - Social Studies 7

Lesson Disaster Management
5.6

We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm
FACTS ourselves with knowledge: so, many lives wouldn't have
to Understand to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness.

Disaster is a sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss or destruction.
According to the UN, disaster is a serious disruption of functioning of community
or a society causing widespread human materials, economic or environmental loss
which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope up using
own resources. It is very unexpected and unpredicted which causes heavy loss of
life and properties as well as environmental destruction. Disaster brings grief,
pain and sorrow.

Broadly, disaster can be categorized into two types; natural and man-made. Wars,
terrorist attacks, plane crash, epidemics, accidents are some man-made cause
of disaster. Earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, flood, forest fire, storm,
Tsunami, etc. are natural disaster. An effect of disaster is seen more where
there is poverty, illiteracy and unawareness. An Earthquake, volcano eruption,
Tsunami are caused completely by nature. There is no any connection between
human activities and these natural disasters. Whatever the disaster may be,
they bring destruction, pain and difficulties for the survival. Therefore, possible
preservations are to be taken to be safe and minimize the casualties and loss.

Disaster Management and Its Importance

An effort to minimize the effects of disaster is called disaster management. It
refers to the activities which are carefully handled or carried out before and
after the occurrence of a disaster. The aspect of disaster management is to take
prevention or the measures that can be adopted to decrease the effect of disaster
and the management after disaster like to rescue the victim, provide food clothing
and shelter to the victims, etc.
Many human resources, materials and requirement are required to manage
disaster. Haphazard and panic movement can bring more difficult situation. Rescue
and relief of victims, wounded, injured and dead bodies will be challenging. In this
situation alive people are saved first and taken to the hospital or first aid treatment
is given then only dead bodies of men and animals are taken. There is high chances
of spreading of epidemics if dead bodies are not completely taken out and disposed.
If there is systematic management we can minimize its effects. Although it is
challenging but if we prepare well and behave carefully then destruction can be
minimized. Some of the preventive measures are discussed below:

Dynamic Social Studies and Population Education - Book VII 130