Disaster recovery has a number of definitions based on the country or organization that is choosing to define the term. At a high level, the term refers to the processes that are used to restore an area or population to the former state of being that existed prior to a major incident or accident occurring which resulted in significant suffering or loss of life.

What is a Disaster?

Similar to the definition of disaster recovery, the root definition of a disaster varies across country and organization. Disasters can be natural, man-made, or a combination of both. They are significant events which result in significant interruption or disruption of day-to-day life in the affected area that cannot be properly dealt with by those living in the impacted area. Although most disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and tsunamis are a quick onset, others such as drought and starvation are slow in developing. The United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) defines a disaster as an event that results in 10 ore more people being killed, 100 people or more being impacted, a declared emergency by the impacted country's ambassador, or any country that requests international assistance.

Why Should You Prepare for Disasters?

By taking the time to prepare for a disaster, you can help reduce the anxiety and fear that occurs when a major incident occurs. Unfortunately, most people believe that government and other organizations will help their community rebuild after a disaster, when the reality is that these organizations will help, but the ultimate rebuilding responsibility resides with those living in the impacted area. A common failure of residents is to make a basic disaster preparedness kit that allows them or their family to have basic food, water, sanitation, first aid, and even shelter during the first 72 hours after a disaster. These preparations help a family subsist safely during the post-crisis period that occurs before help can be dispatched to the affected area. Failure to prepare for a disaster can result in having to rely on others for you or your family's basic needs and in some cases result in severe injury or death.Disaster Recovery

What Should You do to Prepare for a Disaster?

There are several actions that individuals can take in order to prepare for a disaster in order to make the recovery efforts in their local area more effective. These actions include putting together a disaster supply kit, buying the appropriate flooding insurance for your property before its needed, volunteering to help in your local community's disaster response program, and knowing about the natural disasters. If you own or know of an old or damaged home that does not meet the building code for your area, after disaster strikes is not the time to address issues to be fixed. As the world saw during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, poorly constructed buildings and structures can quickly collapse resulting in significantly higher numbers of injured and killed people.

What are the Stages of Disaster Recovery?

Disaster recovery initially begins with the actions required to save human life. These actions can include search and rescue, providing emergency shelter, and rebuilding the capacity to generate water or deliver emergency food rations. Once the initial actions to stabilize the initial situation created by the disaster have reached a steady-state, the disaster recovery operation transitions to preparing the environment of the impacted area to be able to receive assistance to begin rebuilding the lost capacity in the affected area. Once the associated cleanup and debris removal (if required) has been completed, the development rebuilding efforts can be initiated in order to start the impacted are back on the path to recovery to per-disaster levels. This stage of disaster recovery can take from several months to several years depending on the nature and extent of the disaster.

Health and Safety During Disaster Recovery

There is no such thing as rapid disaster recovery. The first item that individuals need to be concerned with following a major incident is personal and family safety and health. Depending on the nature of the event, personnel need to be on the lookout for damaged electrical wiring and power lines, contaminated water supplies, gas leaks, broken glass, and damaged roads. When moving around and beginning the cleanup process, ensure that you wear gloves, boots if you have them, and hydrate. You will also want to ensure that everyone if your family regularly washes their hands to prevent spread of disease or infection. If you come across severely damaged roads, downed power lines, fires, or dead animals, ensure that you inform the authorities as soon as possible.

Returning Home After a Disaster

One of the most challenging aspects of disaster recovery for families is returning home after the incident. When returning home, you will want to have a flashlight to inspect the property. Prior to walking into the home, the flashlight should be turned on in order to prevent accidental ignition of gas that has leaked into the house. You will want to walk the perimeter of the home and property first to check for structural damage and downed lines or broken pipes. If the structure has been flooded or sustained severe damage from fallen trees, a certified home inspector should be sought out to inspect before entering the property. You should not enter a home if there are flood waters around the structure, you smell gas, or if the house has been damaged by fire.

Entering Your Home After a Disaster

When you enter your home, if you hear a hissing sound or smell gas, then open a window and leave the house. Attempt to turn off the gas from outside of the home if you have access to the cut-off valve, and call the gas company from a phone not in the house. You will also want to check the house for loose flooring, frayed wires, and standing water using a flashlight for lighting until the house is deemed safe for entry. If you are in any doubt as to the electrical safety of the house, secure all power at the breaker box. If you believe that your home appliances have been water damaged, unplug them from the wall after securing power to the house. You will then want to inspect the house roof, chimney, and foundation for cracks. If you suspect that pipes to the home have been damaged, secure the water supply to the house and avoid use of water or flushing the toilette until confirmation is received that the pipes are intact. If your food has come in contact with floodwater, or you suspect that it has, throw it away. Ensure you take pictures of damage to provide to your insurance company once the house is safe to enter but before debris removal commences.

How to Seek Disaster Assistance

After disaster strikes, the local radio and media will make announcements on where affected individuals can seek emergency shelter food, clothing, first aid, and financial assistance. Organizations such as the national Red Cross for your country, Salvation Army (United States), and other volunteer organizations will normally provide assistance, food, and shelter during the initial stages of disaster recovery. Federal assistance is initiated after a disaster declaration has been made, which turns on additional programs to assist with temporary shelter and low-interest loans to aid community business with rebuilding efforts. In the United States, FEMA will normally be designated as the lead federal agency for disaster recovery efforts and will interface with local emergency services leaders for aiding the recovery efforts. Most developed nations have a “FEMA-like” national organization that performs similar functions and will also coordinate with international relief efforts for the disaster.

How to Help Others During Disaster Recovery

After disaster strikes, many people that don't normally contribute to charities will want to help those in the affected area. There is such a thing, however, as help that is distracting or detrimental to relief efforts. Some tips on how to help constructively during disaster recovery are:

  • Volunteer with local or regional organizations that are helping out with relief efforts. Do not show up to the impacted area by yourself. Until those in the affected area know what help to request, you could just serve as a distraction.

  • Do not show up to the affected area needing to use relief supplies intended for those in need. Bring your own water, food, and emergency rations.

  • Donate funds to a well-known disaster relief organization.

  • Do not drop off donations until specific items are requested. Relief agencies do not have the resources to sort through donations during a disaster and your donations could be wasted.

  • Donate a large quantity of one item or class of items (IE dry food) for your donation to make a larger impact.