Question

Non-structural mitigation measures focus on % In the context of disaster risk reduction.

• A. Building physical infrastructure to reduce disaster risks
• B. Increasing public awareness and preparedness for potential disasters
• C. Providing financial compensation for losses incurred during disasters
• D. Rebuilding communities after disasters have struck

Hint:

\textbf{Disaster Mitigation:} Actions to reduce long-term risk from hazards.
\textbf{Structural Mitigation:} Physical construction to reduce hazard impact (e.g., dams, retrofitting buildings).
\textbf{Non-Structural Mitigation:} Policies, plans, knowledge, awareness, and practices (e.g., land use planning, building codes, public education, early warning systems, hazard mapping).
Increasing public awareness and preparedness is a crucial non-structural mitigation strategy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Disaster mitigation measures are actions taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural or man-made hazards. These measures can be broadly classified as structural or non-structural.
Structural Mitigation: Involves physical construction or modification of buildings and infrastructure to make them more resistant to disaster impacts. Examples: Building earthquake-resistant structures, constructing flood levees or seawalls, retrofitting existing buildings, creating storm shelters. (Option (a) relates to this).
Non-Structural Mitigation: Focuses on policies, plans, knowledge, awareness, and practices to reduce disaster risk and impact, without involving physical construction. Examples:
Land use planning and zoning regulations (e.g., restricting development in high-risk areas).
Building codes and standards (that mandate disaster-resistant design, but the measure is the code itself, not the construction).
Public awareness and education programs about risks and preparedness.
Early warning systems and evacuation planning.
Hazard mapping and risk assessment.
Environmental protection and management (e.g., watershed management to reduce flood risk).
Insurance programs (can be considered non-structural as a risk transfer mechanism). Let's evaluate the options:
(a) Building physical infrastructure to reduce disaster risks: This is structural mitigation.
(b) Increasing public awareness and preparedness for potential disasters: This is a key component of non-structural mitigation. Educating the public about hazards, vulnerability, and what to do before, during, and after a disaster enhances community resilience.
(c) Providing financial compensation for losses incurred during disasters: This is part of disaster relief and recovery (post-disaster), or risk transfer (insurance), not primarily mitigation (pre-disaster risk reduction), though insurance can incentivize mitigation.
(d) Rebuilding communities after disasters have struck: This is post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Mitigation aims to reduce the need for rebuilding by lessening disaster impacts. Therefore, non-structural mitigation measures focus on aspects like policy, awareness, and preparedness. Option (b) is a prime example. \[ \boxed{\text{Increasing public awareness and preparedness for potential disasters}} \]