What is the first step in the disaster management continuum?

The first step in the disaster management continuum is preparedness. This stage involves planning and preparing for potential disasters before they occur. During the preparedness phase, individuals, organizations, and communities assess their risks, develop response plans, conduct training exercises, and create emergency kits. This proactive approach is crucial for minimizing the impact of disasters and ensuring that effective response mechanisms are in place when an event does occur.

Preparedness sets the foundation for the other phases in the disaster management continuum, which include response (the immediate action taken during and after a disaster), recovery (long-term efforts to restore the affected area or population), and evaluation (assessing the effectiveness of the response and preparedness efforts). Without proper preparation, the response and recovery efforts may be less effective, leading to more severe consequences in the aftermath of a disaster.