INTRODUCTION: Basic terms of disaster risk reduction
The ISDR Secretariat presents primary terms related to disaster risk reduction to practitioners and experts for their consideration and further refinement. The terms are based on a broad review of different international sources, with the purpose of developing a common understanding of terminology on disaster reduction, which is useful for the public, authorities and practitioners. This is a continuing effort to be reflected in future reviews, responding to a need expressed in several international venues, regional discussions and national commentary.
A B C D E F G H L M N P R S T V W
Acceptable risk
The level of loss a society or community considers acceptable given existing
social, economic, political, cultural, technical and environmental conditions.
In engineering terms, acceptable risk is also used to
describe structural and non-structural measures undertaken to reduce possible
damage at a level, which does not harm people and property, according to codes
or "accepted practice" based, among other issues, on a known
probability of hazard.
Biological hazard
Processes of organic origin or those conveyed by biological vectors, including
exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive substances, which
may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic
disruption or environmental degradation.
Examples of biological hazards: outbreaks of epidemic
diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect plagues and extensive infestations.
Building codes
Ordinances and regulations controlling the design, construction, materials,
alteration and occupancy of any structure to insure human safety and welfare.
Building codes include both technical and functional standards.
Capacity
A combination of all the strengths and resources available within a community,
society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or the effects of a
disaster.
Capacity may include physical, institutional, social or
economic means as well as skilled personal or collective attributes such as
leadership and management. Capacity may also be described as capability.
Capacity building
Efforts aimed to develop human skills or societal infrastructures within a
community or organization needed to reduce the level of risk.
In extended understanding, capacity building also includes development of institutional, financial, political and other resources, such as technology at different levels and sectors of the society.
Climate change
Refers to a statistically significant variation in either the mean state of the
climate or in its variability, persisting for an extended period (typically
decades or longer).
Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use (IPCC, 2001).
Note that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change indicated in 1999: "climate change" means a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
Coping capacity
The means by which people or organizations use available resources and abilities
to face adverse consequences that could lead to a disaster.
In general, this involves managing resources, both in
normal times as well as during crises or adverse conditions. The strengthening
of coping capacities usually builds resilience to withstand the effects of
natural and human-induced hazards.
Counter measures
All measures taken to counter and reduce disaster risk. They most commonly refer
to engineering (structural) measures but can also include non-structural
measures and tools designed and employed to avoid or limit the adverse impact of
natural hazards and related environmental and technological disasters.
Disaster
A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing
widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the
ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.
A disaster is a function of the risk process. It results
from the combination of hazards, conditions of vulnerability and insufficient
capacity or measures to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk.
Disaster risk management
The systematic management of administrative decisions, organization, operational
skills and capacities to implement policies, strategies and coping capacities of
the society and communities to lessen the impacts of natural hazards and related
environmental and technological disasters. This comprises all forms of
activities, including structural and non-structural measures to avoid
(prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) adverse effects of
hazards.
Disaster risk reduction (disaster reduction)
The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to
minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid
(prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of
hazards, within the broad context of sustainable development.
The disaster risk reduction framework is composed of the
following fields of action, as described in ISDR's publication 2002 "Living
with Risk: a global review of disaster reduction initiatives", page 23:
- Risk awareness and assessment including hazard analysis and
vulnerability/capacity analysis;
- Knowledge development including education, training, research and information;
- Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including organisational,
policy, legislation and community action;
- Application of measures including environmental management, land-use and urban
planning, protection of critical facilities, application of science and
technology, partnership and networking, and financial instruments;
- Early warning systems including forecasting, dissemination of warnings,
preparedness measures and reaction capacities.
Early warning
The provision of timely and effective information, through identified
institutions, that allow individuals exposed to a hazard, to take action to
avoid or reduce their risk and prepare for effective response.
Early warning systems include of three primary elements (i)
forecasting of impending events, (ii) processing and dissemination of warnings
to political authorities and population, and (iii) undertaking appropriate and
timely actions.
Ecosystem
A complex set of relationships of living organisms functioning as a unit and
interacting with their physical environment.
The boundaries of what could be called an ecosystem are
somewhat arbitrary, depending on the focus of interest or study. Thus the extent
of an ecosystem may range from very small spatial scales to, ultimately, the
entire Earth (IPCC, 2001).
El Nino-southern oscillation (ENSO) (in revision)
An irregularly occurring pattern of abnormal warming of the surface coastal
waters off Ecuador, Peru and Chile This coupled atmosphere-ocean phenomenon is
associated with the fluctuation of inter-tropical surface pressure pattern and
circulation in the Indian and Pacific oceans, called the Southern Oscillation.
There have been a number of attempts to define El Nino, both quantitatively and qualitatively, but none has achieved universal recognition. This phenomenon triggers a shift in seasonal patterns of weather systems over many subtropical and mid-latitude parts of the globe.
La Nina (in revision) is the opposite of an El Nino
pattern, during which waters in the west Pacific are warmer than normal and
trade winds are stronger.
Emergency management
The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing
with all aspects of emergencies, in particularly preparedness, response and
rehabilitation.
Emergency management involves plans, structures and arrangements established to
engage the normal endeavours of government, voluntary and private agencies in a
comprehensive and coordinated way to respond to the whole spectrum of emergency
needs. This is also known as disaster management.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Study undertaken in order to assess the effect on a specified environment of the
introduction of any new factor, which may upset the current ecological balance.
EIA is a policy making tool that serves to provide evidence and analysis of environmental impacts of activities from conception to decision-making. It is utilised extensively in national programming and for international development assistance projects. An EIA must include a detailed risk assessment and provide alternatives solutions or options.
Environmental degradation
The reduction of the capacity of the environment to meet social objectives and
needs.
Potential effects are varied and may contribute to an increase in vulnerability and the frequency and intensity of natural hazards.
Some examples: land degradation, deforestation,
desertification, wildland fires, loss of biodiversity, land, water and air
pollution, climate change, sea level rise and ozone depletion.
Forecast
Definite statement or statistical estimate of the occurrence of a future event
(UNESCO, WMO).
This term is used with different meanings in different
disciplines.
Geological hazard
Natural earth processes or phenomena that may cause the loss of life or injury,
property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Geological hazard includes internal earth processes or tectonic origin, such as earthquakes, geological fault activity, tsunamis, volcanic activity and emissions as well as external processes such as mass movements: landslides, rockslides, rock falls or avalanches, surfaces collapses, expansive soils and debris or mud flows.
Geological hazards can be single, sequential or combined
in their origin and effects.
Geographic information systems (GIS)
Analysis that combine relational databases with spatial interpretation and
outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate definition is that of computer
programmes for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, analysing and
displaying data about the earth that is spatially referenced.
Geographical information systems are increasingly being
utilised for hazard and vulnerability mapping and analysis, as well as for the
application of disaster risk management measures.
Greenhouse gas (GHG)
A gas, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that absorbs and re-emits infrared
radiation, warming the earth's surface and contributing to climate change (UNEP,
1998).
Hazard
A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon and/or human activity that may
cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic
disruption or environmental degradation.
Hazards can include latent conditions that may represent
future threats and can have different origins: natural (geological,
hydrometeorological and biological) and/or induced by human processes
(environmental degradation and technological hazards). Hazards can be single,
sequential or combined in their origin and effects. Each hazard is characterised
by its location, intensity, frequency and probability.
Hazard analysis
Identification, studies and monitoring of any hazard to determine its potential,
origin, characteristics and behaviour.
Hydrometeorological hazards
Natural processes or phenomena of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic
nature, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and
economic disruption or environmental degradation.
Examples of hydrometeorological hazards are: floods, debris and mud floods; tropical cyclones, storm surges, thunder/hailstorms, rain and wind storms, blizzards and other severe storms; drought, desertification, wildland fires, temperature extremes, sand or dust storms; permafrost and snow or ice avalanches.
Hydrometeorological hazards can be single, sequential or
combined in their origin and effects.
La Nina
(see El Nino-southern oscillation).
Land-use planning
Branch of physical planning that determines the means and assesses the values or
limitations of various options in which land is to be utilized, with the
corresponding effects on different segments of the population or interests of a
community taken into account in resulting decisions.
Land-use planning involves studies and mapping, analysis of environmental and hazards data, formulation of alternative land-use decisions and design of a long-range plan for different geographical and administrative scales.
Land-use planning can help to mitigate disasters and
reduce risks by discouraging high-density settlements and construction of key
installations in hazard-prone areas, control of population density and
expansion, and in the siting of service routes for transport, power, water,
sewage and other critical facilities..
Mitigation
Structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact of
natural hazards, environmental degradation and technological hazards.
Natural hazards
Natural processes or phenomena occurring in the biosphere that may constitute a
damaging event.
Natural hazards can be classified by origin namely:
geological, hydrometeorological or biological.
Preparedness
Activities and measures taken in advance to ensure effective response to the
impact of hazards, including the issuance of timely and effective early warnings
and the temporary removal of people and property from threatened locations.
Prevention
Activities to provide outright avoidance of the adverse impact of hazards
and means to minimize related environmental, technological and biological
disasters.
Depending on social and technical feasibility and
cost/benefit considerations, investing in preventive measures is justified in
areas frequently affected by disasters. In the context of public awareness and
education, related to disaster risk reduction changing attitudes and behaviour
contribute to promoting a "culture of prevention".
Public awareness
The processes of informing the general population, increasing levels of
consciousness about risks and how people can act to reduce their exposure to
hazards. This is particularly important for public officials in fulfilling their
responsibilities to save lives and property in the event of a disaster.
Public awareness activities foster changes in behaviour
leading towards a culture of risk reduction. This involves public information,
dissemination, education, radio or television broadcasts and the use of printed
media, as well as, the establishment of information centres and networks.
Public information
Information, facts and knowledge provided or learned as a result of research
or study, available to be disseminated to the public.
Recovery
Decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view to restoring or
improving the pre-disaster the living conditions of the stricken community,
while encouraging and facilitating necessary adjustments to reduce disaster
risk.
Recovery (rehabilitation and reconstruction) affords an
opportunity to develop and apply disaster risk reduction measures.
Relief / response
The provision of assistance or intervention during or immediately after a
disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of those
people affected. It can be of an immediate, short-term, or protracted duration.
Resilience / resilient
The capacity of a system, community or society potentially exposed to hazards to
adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach and maintain an acceptable
level of functioning and structure. This is determined by the degree to which
the social system is capable of organizing itself to increase its capacity for
learning from past disasters for better future protection and to improve risk
reduction measures.
Retrofitting (or upgrading)
Reinforcement of structures to become more resistant and resilient to the forces
of natural hazards.
Retrofitting involves consideration of changes in the
mass, stiffness, damping, load path and ductility of materials, as well as
radical changes such as the introduction of energy absorbing dampers and base
isolation systems. Examples of retrofitting includes the consideration of wind
loading to strengthen and minimize the wind force, or in earthquake prone areas,
the strengthening of structures.
Risk
The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses (deaths, injuries,
property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted or environment damaged)
resulting from interactions between natural or human-induced hazards and
vulnerable conditions. Conventionally risk is expressed by the relation Risk =
Hazards x Vulnerability.
Beyond expressing a possibility of physical harm, it is
crucial to recognize that risks are inherent or can be created or exist within
social systems. It is important to consider the social contexts in which risks
occur and that people therefore do not necessarily share the same perceptions of
risk and their underlying causes.
Risk assessment/analysis
A process to determine the nature and extent of risk by analysing potential
hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could pose a
potential threat or harm to people, property, livelihoods and the environment on
which they depend.
The process of conducting a risk assessment is based on a
review of both the technical features of hazards such as their location,
intensity, frequency and probability; and also the analysis of the physical,
social, economic and environmental dimensions of vulnerability, while taking
particular account of the coping capabilities pertinent to the risk scenarios.
Structural measures
Engineering measures and construction of hazard-resistant and/or protective
structures and infrastructure
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key
concepts: the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of
the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of
limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the
environment's ability to meet present and the future needs. (Brundtland
Commission, 1987).
Sustainable development is based on socio-cultural
development, political stability and decorum, economic growth and ecosystem
protection, which all relate to disaster risk reduction.
Technological hazards
Danger originating from technological or industrial accidents, dangerous
procedures, infrastructure failures or certain human activities, which may cause
the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or
environmental degradation.
Some examples: industrial pollution, nuclear activities
and radioactivity, toxic wastes, dam failures; transport, industrial or
technological accidents (explosions, fires, spills).
Vulnerability
A set of conditions and processes resulting from physical, social, economic, and
environmental factors, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the
impact of hazards.
Positive factors, which increase the ability of people and
the society they live in, to cope effectively with hazards and can reduce their
susceptibility, are often designated as capacities.
Wildland fire
Any fire occurring in vegetation areas regardless of ignition sources, damages
or benefits.