SUBJECT 1. Basic Concepts in respect of disasters DAMAGE AND RECONSTRUCTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT MODULE

DISASTERS: CONCEPTS, TYPES AND CAUSES

The role of all societal forces, Distinguish them by nature and exposure, is crucial to understand the impact of disasters. Distinguish them by nature and exposure, is crucial to understand the impact of disasters. Human actions progressively deteriorate the environmentHuman actions progressively deteriorate the environment Natural phenomena affect the environment (positively / negatively)Natural phenomena affect the environment (positively / negatively) Impact of disasters tends to increaseImpact of disasters tends to increase

Some basic definitions Some basic definitions risk, vulnerability, mitigation recurrence, etc.risk, vulnerability, mitigation recurrence, etc.

Disasters vicious cycle

Vulnerability

PHASES IN A DISASTER The disaster cycle:   EMERGENCY   REHABILITATION   RECONSTRUCTION   PREVENTION AND MITIGATION   ALERT AND PREPARATION

DISASTER RESPONSE AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

FROM VALUATION TO RECONSTRUCTION AND MITIGATION REINFORCEMENT/REINGENEERING PREVENTION MITIGATION Scheduling Input availability Material Human Finacial Macroeconomic impact TECHNOLOGICAL IMRPOVEMENT At present value costs Includes asset depreciation Considers the state of asset at time of damage Discounts lack of maintenantce REPLACEMENT COSTS By economic sectors and actors Public Private Project formulation Reconstrction and replacement Mitigation and reinforcement Prevention MACROECONOMIC VIABILITY SUSTAINABILITY CREDIBILITY Absorption capacity Material Work force Institutuional Domerstic resources Credits Donations Insurance and reinsurance External resources Credits Donations Financial implications Public Private RECONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS By economic and sector actors Public Private VALUE OF DAMAGES By economic actors and sectors Public Private

CLARIFYING SOME CONCEPTS MITIGATION Encompasses actions “before”, “during” and “after” Actions (programmes, project) with the objective of counteracting (reducing the negative impact) of an occurrence.Actions (programmes, project) with the objective of counteracting (reducing the negative impact) of an occurrence. Includes allocation of resources to reinforce structures, redesign or alter existing elements to reduce vulnerability in addition to training and organisation (including at the community level)Includes allocation of resources to reinforce structures, redesign or alter existing elements to reduce vulnerability in addition to training and organisation (including at the community level) Ownership of actions is fundamental to build trustOwnership of actions is fundamental to build trust

VULNERABILITY Calculation made on the basis or exposure to the recurrence of conflict Risk factors or exposure to danger of existing institutional framework such as:Risk factors or exposure to danger of existing institutional framework such as: Marginalisation,Marginalisation, Informality,Informality, Pauperization,Pauperization, Conditions of human settlements and localisation of productive activities (primary, industrial, tertiary or services) and their linkage among them and with the environment.Conditions of human settlements and localisation of productive activities (primary, industrial, tertiary or services) and their linkage among them and with the environment.

DISASTER REDUCTION Encompasses actions “before”, “during” and “after” Actions (programmes, project) with the objective of reducing vulnerability and exposure to risk in the face of the interaction between human action and natural foreseeable or recurrent events.Actions (programmes, project) with the objective of reducing vulnerability and exposure to risk in the face of the interaction between human action and natural foreseeable or recurrent events. Implies the use (design and enforcement) of construction codes, land-use regulation, space planning, institutional arrangements and community involvementImplies the use (design and enforcement) of construction codes, land-use regulation, space planning, institutional arrangements and community involvement

RISK MANAGEMENT Actions to be carried out “before” with consequences “during” and “after” Pro-active strategy (in contrast to re- active response) to reduce vulnerability and counteract risk factorsPro-active strategy (in contrast to re- active response) to reduce vulnerability and counteract risk factors Its objective is disaster reductionIts objective is disaster reduction Is not a sector action but a global set of actions encompassing all sectors, beginning with sound environmental managementIs not a sector action but a global set of actions encompassing all sectors, beginning with sound environmental management Is not a conservation policy per-se but requires sustainability criteria both in terms of natural resources and human intervention.Is not a conservation policy per-se but requires sustainability criteria both in terms of natural resources and human intervention.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT Actions to be carried “during” and the immediate (short-term) “after” The response strategy (re- active strategy) to, after the occurrence of a disaster, intends to counteract its more immediate negative impact and prevent more severe effects in the short term.The response strategy (re- active strategy) to, after the occurrence of a disaster, intends to counteract its more immediate negative impact and prevent more severe effects in the short term. Includes emergency actions (search and rescue, immediate assistance, shelter, sanitary and health campaigns, rehabilitation of lifelines, assessment of emergency needs and first appraisal of reconstruction requirementsIncludes emergency actions (search and rescue, immediate assistance, shelter, sanitary and health campaigns, rehabilitation of lifelines, assessment of emergency needs and first appraisal of reconstruction requirements

TYPES OF DISASTER AND MAJOR EFFECTS

DISASTER VALUATION CONCEPTS Direct damages Impact on assets Infrastructure Capital Stocks Occur immediately during or after the phenomenon that caused the disaster Indirect Damages Effects on flows –Production –Reduced income and increased expenses Are perceived after the phenomenon, for a time-period that can last from weeks to months, till recuperation occurs

DISASTER VALUATION PURPOSE AND INFORMATION NEEDS Purpose: –Historical record –Determine needs for reconstruction and mitigation –Design disaster reduction strategy Information needs –Ex ante data (pre-existing conditions, baselines) –Ex-post data (on the basis of numerous sources and estimates from the affected population to economic, social and environmental effects

TIMELINESS AND ACCURACY OF VALUATION AND THE “WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY” Window of opportunity and window of needWindow of opportunity and window of need –Timely response to needs –Response appropriate to reduce disaster impact and avoid reconstruction of preexisting vulnerability –Assessment in time to mobilize necessary (internal and / or external resources AccuracyAccuracy –Ensure comparability and methodological consistency –Acceptable by technical standards and criteria –Judgment calls to make necessary assumptions and indirect calculations –Margin of error within acceptable levels –Accurate enough to ensure investment and projects where detailed, completely accurate information will be obtained

Summary of basic concepts Disasters, natural, human related and complexDisasters, natural, human related and complex Exposure, hazard, risk and vulnerabilityExposure, hazard, risk and vulnerability Disaster cycleDisaster cycle Phases of responsePhases of response Type of natural events associated with disastersType of natural events associated with disasters Basic valuation valuesBasic valuation values Duration of disaster, duration of response and period for evaluation of impactsDuration of disaster, duration of response and period for evaluation of impacts