Opportunities for mitigation: post-disaster implementation
Occasionally mitigation projects are prompted by predictions and
studies of the likely consequences of hazards but in many cases implementation
of mitigation comes about mainly in the aftermath of a disaster. Rebuilding what
has been destroyed and a recognition that the damage was avoidable can generate
protection against a future disaster. Public support for mitigation action is
strong with the visible evidence and recent memory of the disaster, or the
knowledge of a disaster elsewhere.
Q. It is argued that the best time to implement
a disaster mitigation program is in the aftermath of a disaster. Why is this so?
Even though the aftermath of a disaster is fertile ground for mitigation
activities, there are some possible drawbacks as well. What are they?
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ANSWER
The time immediately following a disaster is a good time to
initiate disaster mitigation programs due to the fact that:
public support is strongest
immediately after a disaster
the community is involved
in active reconstruction
international or local aid
may be focused on the community
Even with these advantages there may be some problems associated
with mitigation measures that are based on reaction to a recent disaster.
Mitigation measures may be based exclusively on the recent hazard type even
though other hazards may be more likely to strike next. Mitigation may be
focused on the area worst affected by the disaster even though other areas may
actually be more at risk. |
Hazard-specific programs tend to follow the occurrence of a
particular hazard irrespective of the multi-hazard needs: A cyclone disaster
tends to lead to cyclone mitigation, even if flood risk is higher.
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The best opportunity to implement a disaster mitigation
program is in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. |
Figure
For most hazards, mitigation projects tend to focus on the
reconstruction area, even if other areas are more at risk: An area damaged by an
earthquake is likely to be targeted for immediate mitigation measures despite
the fact that the next earthquake may be unlikely to strike the same place, but
is more likely to occur elsewhere in the region. This may not be true for some
hazard types especially floods which tend to reccur in the same locations.
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The experiences of the disaster, the reconstruction and
the mitigation measures it engenders should be exported with relevant
adaptations to the places that need it most. |
The fact remains that reconstruction activities with large
amounts of investment being put into the area and the opportunities for change
represent significant opportunities to carry out mitigation. The techniques
learned and the expertise developed will be applicable elsewhere in the country.
It is important that the mitigation actions are promoted as far as possible
beyond the reconstruction area to other areas at risk from similar hazards, and
that mitigation encompasses all the hazards likely to be encountered. The
experiences of the disaster, the reconstruction and the mitigation measures it
engenders should be exported with relevant adaptations to the places that need
it
most.
