SSP 7115 DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Course Objective
The objective of the course is to enable participants internalize disaster analysis
techniques and develop their capacity to provide technical inputs into disaster
response.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will have gained knowledge and skills in
disaster analysis and response. They should also have gained knowledge on the
various theoretical underpinnings and models of disaster management in
different settings.
1. Conceptual Framework
Key concepts in disaster management will be discussed to facilitate an
understanding of the building blocks of a disaster event. The key concepts to be
discussed include:
a. Hazards
b. Hazard risk
c. Vulnerability
d. Disaster
2. Types of Disasters
The categorization of disasters according to the factors contributing to them and
the relationship between hazards on the one hand and between disasters on the
other will be discussed as indicated below:
a. Disaster triggered by nature
b. Disaster triggered by human action
c. Cataclysmic disasters
d. Long term or continuing disasters
e. Relationship between hazards
f. Relationship between disasters
g. Relation between natural and human triggers
3. Vulnerability and Disaster
Vulnerability is an important factor in disaster equation because vulnerability is
implicated in disaster events. Vulnerability reduction is a cost-effective strategy
of managing disasters. The discussion will center on theoretical explanations of
vulnerability and vulnerability reduction strategies.
4. Disaster and Development
The relationship between disaster and development will be examined to explain
several angles of this relationship namely: a) how disasters negatively impact
on development efforts; b) how development initiatives may contribute to
disasters; c) how development may reduce disasters; and d) how disaster is an
opportunity for sustainable development.
5. Famine
Famine will be analyzed using three approaches including:
a) Food system under stress
b) Food entitlement
c) Vulnerability to famine analysis
6. Conflicts: Etiology and Management
Factors that contribute to conflicts and strategies of managing
them will be discussed.
7. Disaster Effects
In order to plan affective post-disaster response, a proper comprehension of
disaster effects is imperative. The following aspects of disaster consequences
will be tackled:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Economic
Social
Political
Institutional
8. Response to Disasters
Analysis of disaster response strategies will be made focusing on
disaster
mitigation, disaster preparedness, emergency response and disaster
recovery.
9. Institutional, Policy and Legal Framework
Institutional, policy and legal framework of disaster response will be discussed
and where necessary will be discussed in relations to topics 1-8 above.
Delivery Methods
The methods that will be employed for course delivery include the
following;
a) Lectures
b) Case studies
c) Guest lecturers
Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
a) Course work:1 essay and 1 test
b) End of Semester Examination
REFERENCES
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York
Cannon, Terry (2000) Vulnerability Analysis and Disasters. In: Parker DJ
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Clarke, Lee, (2006) Worst Case Katrina, Social Science Research Council
(SSRC)
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Fischer, H.W. III (1998) Response to Disaster: Fact Versus Fiction and
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http://understandingkatrina.ssrc.org/Quarantelli; Catastrophes are Different
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