Natural Hazards: Causes and Effects - Disaster Management Center ...

– installing devices that will keep breakages in electrical lines and gas mains from
producing fires;
– verifying the capability of dams to resist earthquake
forces, and upgrading as necessary. 15
Earthquake Preparedness
Vulnerable communities should institute preparedness programs. Preparedness includes
educating the public about what they should do in case of an earthquake and preparing public
officials and services to react to the emergency. Activities include:
• Training teams for search and rescue operations;
• Training teams for disaster assessment;
• Identifying safe sites where people living in areas threatened by landslides in secondary
tremors could be relocated;
• Training adequate personnel in trauma care;
• Maintaining stocks of trauma-related medical supplies;
• Reviewing the structural soundness of facilities that are essential for the operation of disaster
response, e.g. hospitals, fire stations, government buildings, communications installations,
and upgrading them as necessary;
• Preparing plans and necessary equipment for alternative water supply if the current system is
vulnerable;
• Preparing plans for clearing streets on a priority basis (to provide emergency access);
• Preparing emergency communication systems as well as messages to the public regarding
matters of their health, safety and security;
• Training teams to determine if buildings are safe for reoccupancy.
Post-disaster Activities
Earthquake Response
The immediate impact of an earthquake affects virtually all sectors of the community. Initial
response by local authorities should include implementing the activities identified in the
preparedness stage. Initial emphasis will be on search and rescue of the victims, attempting as
far as feasible to account for all members of the affected population.
Second, provide emergency medical assistance. There will be a high incidence of surgical
needs during the first 72 hours; additional medical needs will fall off sharply after that time.
Contrary to myth, there are no actual immediate epidemiological threats or patterns of disease
resulting directly from an earthquake.
Third, conduct a damage and needs assessment. The local government as well as international
donors need to know as quickly as possible the scale of the disaster and what sort of assistance
(and how) is needed.
Fourth, provide relief to the survivors. Response can take several forms. Of the greatest value
is cash, allowing survivors and local agencies discretion to focus resources where the most
urgent needs are. International donors can assist in reopening roads, reestablishing
communications, making contact with remote areas, conducting disaster assessment, and
providing building materials for reconstruction. The popularly known forms of foreign relief such
as food, blankets and clothes are totally inappropriate.