3. Definitions

3.2. Phases of disasters

Since interventions in emergencies evolve as a continuum, identifying the following four phases is useful for establishing priorities, guiding response activities, and systematizing previous experiences:

  1. Preparedness phase
  2. Emergency phase
  3. Recovery phase
  4. Mitigation and prevention phase

Preparedness phase

Planning comprises all activities and actions taken in advance of a disaster. It should be based on an analysis of a community’s or organization’s risk of exposure to specific types of disasters.

Preparedness plans should take into account the frequency of occurrence of each type of disaster, the anticipated magnitude of impact, the degree of advance warning or suddenness of onset and offset, the characteristics of populations most likely to be affected, the amount and types of resources available, and the ability to function independently without external support for a period of time.

For more information on planning, see Module 3.

Emergency phase

The response phase comprises all activities and actions taken during and immediately after a disaster. This includes notification of relevant organizations, establishment of communication networks, search and rescue operations, damage assessment, evacuation, sheltering, and other critical activities.

This phase lasts until initial casualties have been rescued or accounted for, and sufficient resources are available to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected population. It also includes assessing damage and beginning to plan for restoration and recovery.

In conflict situations, displacement may be prolonged until safety and security are restored. Affected populations may need to be supported in camps designed for temporary accommodation. While normal conditions after natural disasters may return within days or weeks, in conflict settings it may take years before people can return to their homes.

Recovery phase

The recovery phase is the period during which the affected organization or community works toward re-establishing self-sufficiency. This includes community planning, rebuilding, and the re-establishment of government and public service infrastructure.

The health status of the affected population begins to return to pre-disaster conditions, and external support services are gradually withdrawn.

Mitigation and prevention phase

This phase usually occurs as conditions return to their pre-disaster state. Mitigation involves reviewing all aspects of emergency management to identify lessons learned and applying them to prevent recurrence or reduce the impact of future disasters.

Mitigation includes preventive and precautionary measures such as improving building codes and practices, redesigning public utilities and services, reviewing evacuation procedures and warning systems, and educating communities.

Mitigation and planning are continuous processes, as lessons learned from previous disasters are incorporated into future preparedness efforts.