Introduction

Purpose and scope

This training module, Disasters and Development, is designed to introduce this aspect of disaster management to an audience of UN organization professionals who form disaster management teams, as well as to government counterpart agencies, NGOs and donors. This training is designed to increase the audience’s awareness of the nature and management of disasters, leading to better performance in disaster preparedness and response.

The content has been written by experts in the field of disaster management and in general follows the UNDP/UNDRO Disaster Management Manual and its principles, procedures, and terminology. However, terminology in this field is not standardized and authors from different institutions may use the same terms in slightly different ways. Therefore, there is a glossary of terms used in this module at the end of this text. Definitions found in the glossary are those of the UNDF/UNDRO Disaster Management Manual. Definitions in the text are those of the authors.

Overview of this module

This module introduces a new paradigm for understanding the disaster/development interface. Specifically, the module asserts that disasters and development are closely linked in that disasters can both destroy development initiatives and create development opportunities and that development schemes can both increase and decrease vulnerability.

Part One introduces these concepts and discusses how disaster effects can vary from one type of hazard to another as well as from one type of economic condition to another. Part Two develops the new paradigm in depth and provides case examples to amplify the points made in the text.

Part Three describes and discusses different methods and tools for analyzing potential investment decisions and will increase the readers capacity to analyze the mitigation benefits of development alternatives in both the pre- and post disaster context.

Part Four conceptualizes the role of UN agencies, NGOs and the affected communities themselves in promoting development based on the concepts discussed in the module.

The module should be read in conjunction with the accompanying modules on Disaster Mitigation, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment and Disaster Preparedness.

Training methods

This module is intended for two audiences, the self-study learner and the participant in a training workshop. The following training methods are planned for use in workshops and are simulated in the accompanying “training guide”. For the self-study learner the text is as close to a tutor as can be managed in print.

Workshop training methods include:

· group discussions
· simulations/role plays
· supplementary handouts
· videos
· review sessions
· self-assessment exercises

The self-study learner is invited to use this text as a workbook. In addition to note-taking in the margins, you will be given the opportunity to stop and examine your learning along the way through questions included in the text. Write down your answers to these questions before proceeding to ensure that you have captured key points in the text.