Natural Disasters Phases 

1. Mitigation:

   • Structural implementation: This phase analyzes the risk and identifies the areas that are most prone to natural disasters. The officials evaluate this data, then take action to reduce the devastation, so that if the events were to repeat there would be less destruction and more lives saved. The governmental officials bring about structural creations based on these evaluations, such as constructing new earthquake resistant buildings, or creating walls around communities to prevent flooding.

   • Non-sturctural implementations: There are non-structural means of decreasing the effect before a natural disaster, such as researching and assessing the effects after the disaster, updating policies, specifying building codes, or informing the public of dangers associated with each disaster type.

2. Preparedness:

   • Officials prepare by administering plans to effectively react to different levels and kinds of disasters. They collaborate with governmental officials to prepare by determining the locations and the capacity of the evalcuation centers, displaced tents, vehicles, and hospitals for the distribution of needed supplies (food, water and shelter). This comprises of preparing for the time and distance to get to these places. They work with officials before any event to implement sporadic drills, provide pre-emptive warning systems, or implement different disaster scenarios so that they can be prepared to respond in the correct way. In addition, they have displacement corridors, extra disaster supplies, food, and other neccessary inventory, which is especially needed in places where the disaster strikes, often.

3. Response: 

   • Search and Rescue: This endeavor is the most important aspect of humanitarian efforts because the first responders can save the most lives within hours of the disaster. Humanitarians collaborate with the responders to locate those who are in immediate danger, survivors, casualties, and those who are possibly injured after these events.

   • Needs Assessment: Based on the results of the rescue efforts, the humanitarian provide a extensive assessment of the needs of the people by coordinating with governments and other organizations. They are constantly evaluating and assessing the situation to adjust to the needs of the people.

   • Provisions: Humanitarians distribute needed supplies (i.e. food, water) to evacuation centers, displaced temporary tents, or hospitals. They coordinate transportation (i.e. transport from earthquakes), and provide access, if applicable to safe havens to distribute aid or save lives. In addition, they reduce the effects of any disease that can be caused by the disaster (i.e. water disease).

   • Relief Stage: This stage focuses on maintaining safety until those effected reach a level of normacy. (1) During this stage, the Humanitarian may have to stay extra time to assist in protecting the people from such things as debris from buildings, or providing temporary tents and communication connectivity. 

4. Recovery: (1) 

   • Restoration: Immediately after the crisis diminishes, the relief stage may flow into the recovery phase and depending on the situation, this can last for years. The priority of this phase is to bring those effected back to their original way of life. This includes restoring communication, housing, and providing other necessities. 

   • Post-Disaster: This flows into the mitigation phase, in which the humanitarian research and provides an assessement of the disaster information. This data is shared with other organizations and officials. This is a means of improving responses preceding a disaster event.