This Guidance and Indicator Tool is designed to provide guidance on how to meet the challenge of being prepared to respond as set out in Priority Five of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). This tool aims primarily to assist governments, local authorities, and other stakeholders concerned with natural hazards in potentially vulnerable settings.It is designed to complement and expand upon the disaster preparedness and response components of the ISDR guidelines; Words Into Action: A Guide for Implementing the Hyogo Framework (2007); and the Indicatorsof Progress: Guidance on Measuring the Reduction of Disaster Risks and the Implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2008). The guidance also draws upon and complements the work of John Twigg and the DFID Disaster Risk Reduction Interagency Coordination group on the ‘Characteristics of a Disaster-resilient Community’ (2007). This document is primarily geared towards those who are at the beginning of the process of developing a disaster preparedness capability. Given that many governments and others have gained a wide range of experience in developing disaster preparedness systems in a risk reduction framework, it is expected that stakeholders will adapt the tool to their particular context as appropriate.
This guidance begins by situating disaster preparedness within a holistic risk reduction framework. It goes on to provide a basic overview of the institutional and legislative frameworks that must be in place to support disaster preparedness. It then outlines key steps essential for developing a national disaster preparedness capability and highlights the critical role that contingency planning and capacity analysis can play in strengthening preparedness.
The latter sections underline essential elements for an effective response, including the establishment and maintenance of early warning systems, stand-by capacities and effective funding mechanisms. It also stresses the need for these processes to integrate early-recovery analysis and planning.