Key Terms in Disaster Management:

1. Vulnerability: Refers to the lack of capacity to withstand potential threats. This deficiency can stem from inadequate information, resources, and technology. Vulnerability manifests in various ways, originating from physical, social, economic, and environmental factors.

• Examples of Vulnerability Factors:

  • Poor design and construction of buildings

  • Inadequate protection of assets

  • Lack of public information and awareness

  • Limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures

  • Disregard for wise environmental management

• Types of Vulnerability:

  • (a). Physical Vulnerability: Determined by factors such as population density, remoteness of a settlement, site characteristics, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and housing.

    • Example: Wooden homes are more susceptible to fire damage compared to brick structures, although they may be more resilient in earthquakes.

  • (b). Social Vulnerability: Relates to the inability of people, organizations, and societies to withstand adverse impacts from hazards due to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions, and systems of cultural values. This includes aspects like literacy and education levels, peace and security, access to basic human rights, good governance, social equity, positive traditional values, customs, ideological beliefs, and overall collective organizational systems.

    • Example: During floods, vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, and those with disabilities may face greater challenges in protecting themselves or evacuating.

  • (c). Economic Vulnerability: The degree of vulnerability is strongly influenced by the economic status of individuals, communities, and nations. Those with fewer resources are often more vulnerable to disasters as they lack the means to invest in sturdy structures and implement protective measures.

    • Example: Families with limited financial resources may reside in informal settlements in hazardous locations due to affordability constraints.

  • (d). Environmental Vulnerability: Focuses on the depletion and degradation of natural resources as key aspects of susceptibility.

    • Example: Wetlands are susceptible to increased salinity from seawater and pollution from storm runoff containing agricultural chemicals and eroded soils.

2. Disaster Risk: Represents the probability of a specific hazard occurring and its potential consequences for people, property, and the environment.

• (a). Acceptable Risk: The extent to which a disaster risk is considered acceptable or tolerable is dependent on prevailing social, economic, political, cultural, technical, and environmental conditions.

• (b). Residual Risk: This is the disaster risk that persists even after implementing effective disaster risk reduction measures. It necessitates the maintenance of emergency response and recovery capabilities.

3. Intensity: Refers to the destructive power of a disaster agent and its capacity to cause damage and injury.

4. Scope: Indicates the geographical area and the social space affected by the disaster agent.

5. Frequency: Describes the number of times specific disasters occur in particular geographical locations, potentially allowing communities time for preparedness.

6. Controllability: Refers to the existence of measures that can be implemented to reduce the impact of a disaster, aiding emergency planners.

7. Triage: The process of categorizing victims based on the severity of their injuries to prioritize treatment.

8. Time: The duration for which certain disasters last, which can provide a window for affected individuals to evacuate following a warning.

9. Capacity: The ability of a community to utilize all available resources to reduce risk levels and mitigate the effects of disasters.

10. Capacity Building: Efforts focused on developing human skills and resources within a community to lower risk levels.

11. Emergency: A state where normal procedures are suspended, and extraordinary measures are taken to avert a disaster. (WHO)

12. Catastrophe: A large-scale impact event affecting multiple communities, causing substantial damage and social disruption, and simultaneously disrupting essential community and lifeline services. The widespread impact strains each community’s emergency response system and severely limits external support.

13. Hazard: A natural or human-made event that poses a threat to human life, property, or activity, potentially leading to a disaster.

Epidemiology of a Disaster:

Epidemiology is the study of disease patterns within human populations and the factors influencing these patterns. In the context of disasters, it helps understand the impact and spread of health issues.

Epidemiology considers three main components:

1. DISASTER AGENT: The physical entity that directly causes injury or destruction.

• (a). Primary Agents: Immediate causes such as falling debris, building collapses, heat, strong winds, or floodwaters.

• (b). Secondary Agents: Consequences arising after the initial impact, including bacteria and viruses that cause contamination or infection.

2. HOST: The characteristics of individuals that influence their susceptibility to disaster effects.

• Examples of Host Factors: Age, immune system status, pre-existing health conditions, degree of mobility, and emotional stability. Pregnant women, the elderly, and children are often particularly vulnerable.

3. ENVIRONMENT: The surrounding conditions that influence the outcome of a disaster.

• (a). Physical Factors: Time of occurrence, weather conditions, availability of clean water supply, functional infrastructure like communication systems.

• (b). Chemical Factors: Contamination from leaks of stored chemicals or the spoilage of food supplies.

• (c). Biological Factors: Issues arising from contaminated water, inadequate waste disposal, and improper food storage.

• (d). Social Factors: The strength of social support systems, loss of family members, and changes in social roles and responsibilities.

Causes of Disasters:

1. Geological and Climatic Changes: Extreme natural phenomena such as prolonged drought disrupting the hydrological cycle.

2. Poverty: Increases vulnerability as individuals are often forced to reside in high-risk areas like steep slopes prone to landslides or floodplains.

3. Population Growth: Leads to increased pressure on resources, forcing more people to live and work in unsafe areas, potentially resulting in conflict and displacement, contributing to disasters.

4. Rapid Urbanization: The migration of rural populations to urban centers in search of opportunities can lead to the development of informal settlements in hazardous locations, increasing the risk of human-made disasters.

5. Transitions in Cultural Practices: Introducing new construction materials or using materials incorrectly can result in structures that are not resilient to disasters like earthquakes.

6. Environmental Degradation: Practices such as poor cropping patterns, overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable water management can exacerbate drought conditions and increase vulnerability to other hazards.

7. Lack of Awareness and Information: Insufficient knowledge about protective measures, safe locations, and evacuation routes can hinder a community’s ability to mitigate disaster impacts.

8. War and Civil Strife: Competition for resources, religious or ethnic intolerance, and ideological differences can lead to conflict and humanitarian crises, resulting in disasters (e.g., the Rwandan genocide).

Phases of Disaster, Victim Response, and Roles of a Nurse:

Disaster events typically unfold in distinct phases:

Disaster Action Phases:

1. Pre-impact Phase: The period before the actual disaster occurs, often marked by warnings or the initial signs of potential danger. This phase is crucial for implementing preparedness measures.
* Nurse’s Role: Sensitizing the community, assisting in setting up emergency shelters, and preparing medical equipment.

2. Impact Phase: The moment the disaster strikes, characterized by immediate danger, injury, and the struggle for survival. Individuals focus on helping neighbors and family until external assistance arrives.
* Nurse’s Role: Assessing health needs, providing physical and psychosocial support, establishing special shelters for vulnerable groups, treating injuries, coordinating search and rescue efforts, and facilitating family reunification.

3. Post-impact Phase: The recovery period following the immediate emergency, focused on restoring community order and functionality. This phase can be lengthy and requires sustained care.
* Nurse’s Role: Providing counseling, initiating rehabilitation programs, and empowering the community to engage in income-generating activities.