Nature of the disaster

Each disaster results in a different type of damage. However, on the basis of past events the sectors that will be at risk to a particular disaster can be predicted with some accuracy. For example, earthquakes often result in high physical damage to infrastructure and buildings and high winds can destroy both buildings and utilities above ground such as power lines. Floods, on the other hand, can be damaging for agricultural land and fisheries in rural areas which would not be affected by earthquake impact. (For a full list, see the DMTP module, Disaster Mitigation, pages 7-13.) Planning for rehabilitation and reconstruction should therefore relate to the specific damage that results from a disaster and prioritize inputs to assist the rapid recovery of the affected population. For example, after a rural flood, replacing the lost livestock or seeds for the next planting season might be a higher priority for rural agriculturists than the rebuilding of their homes. Following the 1992 floods in Pakistan much of the government grants allocated for damaged houses were used by the communities to buy animals, fodder and seeds.

All major disasters have significant political consequences which have sometimes resulted in the weakening of authorities, or the strengthening of weak ones as a result of their positive handling of the recovery process.

While physical damage may vary from one type of disaster to another, all major disasters have a psychological impact on the affected population as well as disrupting economic and social life of the survivors. In addition, all major disasters have significant political consequences which have sometimes resulted in the weakening of authorities, or the strengthening of weak ones as a result of their positive handling of the recovery process. Therefore, rehabilitation and reconstruction programs should not only be seen as a way of replacing what is tangible but must be planned to strengthen what is not immediately visible, that is, the administrative, social and economic systems as well as the psychological well being of the people involved.