Preparing disaster contingency plans for settlements

Description

Preparing disaster contingency plans for settlements involves systematically identifying potential hazards, assessing vulnerabilities, and establishing coordinated response protocols to minimize loss of life, property, and disruption. This strategy ensures that communities are equipped with clear communication channels, resource allocation plans, evacuation procedures, and recovery measures. By proactively addressing risks and assigning responsibilities, contingency planning remedies the problem of uncoordinated or delayed responses, enhancing resilience and enabling faster, more effective disaster management and recovery.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends complete multi-hazard research into risk and vulnerability of human settlements and settlement infrastructure, including water and sewerage, communication and transportation networks, as one type of risk reduction may increase vulnerability to another ( e.g. an earthquake resistant house made of wood will be more vulnerable to wind storms).