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Acknowledgements
Introduction
The purpose of this handbook
Background
Disaster planning
World wide trends
National response
Principles of Disaster Management

The 9 step process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9

Extra Tools - a summary
Tool 1
Tool 2
Tool 3
Tool 4
Tool 5
Tool 6
Tool 7
Tool 8
Tool 9

Disaster planning

Disaster planning is about anticipating the types of disasters that may occur and the effect on communities. It is about drawing on the wisdom of the community and experts to develop ways to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from those disasters. Disaster management planning is a collective responsibility. Governments, communities and private sector need to work together so that knowledge, resources and effort are used to minimise the effects of disaster on communities, the economy and the environment.

advantages

The advantages of disaster planning are:
•	Involving the community in understanding and responding to disasters
•	Reduced impact of disasters
•	Reduced recovery costs and economic disruption
•	Enabling the alignment of disaster management with other development priorities
•	Demonstrating effective and responsible management by the Municipality or Province
•	Co-ordination of disaster management with other bodies
•	Meeting the requirements of National Legislation and demonstrating due diligence
•	Allocating financial and human resources to develop and manage the disaster management system
•	Raising public and media attention on the handling of disasters in the past and future through community consultation processes
•	Managing public expectations and the municipal accountability for the proper management of disasters in the future.

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