Question

The IDNDR placed a strong emphasis on:

• A. Post-disaster relief efforts only
• B. Community preparedness through education and training
• C. Reducing the importance of disaster relief
• D. Limiting international cooperation

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Community preparedness through education and training

The IDNDR placed a strong emphasis on community preparedness through education and training. This was a fundamental part of the initiative's shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to disaster management.

Before the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), a large focus was on post-disaster response, such as providing aid and rebuilding. The IDNDR's approach was different. It recognized that even with strong national policies, the effectiveness of disaster mitigation depends on the preparedness of local communities.

This strategy involved empowering communities by:

• Raising Awareness: Educating the public about the specific natural hazards they face, such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts.

• Developing Skills: Providing practical training on what to do before, during, and after a disaster. This could include first aid, search and rescue techniques, and the creation of community-level early warning systems.

• Encouraging Local Leadership: Promoting the formation of local disaster management committees to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.

By focusing on the community level, the IDNDR aimed to build a culture of safety and resilience, ensuring that people were not just passive victims but active participants in protecting themselves and their neighbors. This bottom-up approach is now a cornerstone of modern disaster risk reduction.