Disasters effects can erode years of development gains at different levels. If not addressed they can render organizations, communities and families dysfunctional. With increasing magnitude and impacts of disasters due to factors that include climate change, rapid urbanization and other human causes, disaster risk management should be deeply embedded in organizational culture and structures. It should not only be seen as government responsibility or a process implemented by NGOs, UN and Red Cross organizations, but should become part of every organizations planning whether private or public. This course explores disaster risk management concepts and practices using practical examples at international up to family level. It will provide you and your organization not only with a solid theoretical and conceptual understanding of DRM, but also takes you through the practical application of the concept and practices in different settings. The course was developed and will be facilitated by practitioners with more than twenty years of cumulative practical experiences at international, national and community level.

Course outline

Unit 1: Disaster Risk Management scope

•  Disaster Risk Management concepts and terminology
• DRM systems and structures –international, regional and national
• Community based disaster risk management
• Understanding Disaster Risk Reduction at family level
• Exercise and case study: Developing family DRM

Unit 2: DRM processes

• Information management systems for DRM
• Understanding risk
• Risk analysis process- tools and techniques
• Hazard mapping and ranking
• Vulnerability and capacity analysis
• Developing and implementing Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)
• Exercises: Hazard mapping and ranking, SOP development

Unit 3: Disaster Risk Management planning

• Types and Scope of DRM plans- Risk management strategies and plans, Contingency plans, disaster response plans, disaster recovery planning, business continuity planning
• Plan rehearsals-simulation exercises (specific focus on Contingency Plan).
• Early warning systems- components, structure and operationalisation
• Plan Activation and review
• Exercises: Developing DRM plans (Family, community, organizational plans/Early warning system design and implementation)

Unit 4: Disaster response systems and practices

• International response systems– Regional organizations, UNDAC, INSARAG, UN systems, NGO systems
• National Response structures –government, UN, Private Sector, NGOs, Red Cross Movement, and other stakeholders
• Incident Command Centre
• Assessment planning and implementation- tools and processes
• Resource mobilization for response- international resources mobilization system– Pooled funding, CERF, Flash Appeals, governments and other donor funding mechanisms

Unit 5: Disaster and Development

• Disaster risk management and project planning
• Livelihoods and resilience
• Mainstreaming DRR into development
• Understanding cross cutting issues for DRM-gender, environment, HIV and AIDS

Study excursion

CAB take incursions as your only way of experiencing South Africa. We promise to make it informative and fun. Transport & lunch are provided for all scheduled visits

• Union Buildings (President’s Offices)
• Apartheid Museum or the Zoo,
• Mamelodi Township (High density),
• Waterkloof, (Suburbs)
• Soweto (Mandela House) and
• China City & China Mart

Event fee

What is included in the event fee

The fee covers study fees, lunch, study excursions, CABI souvenir, guest Speaker and field visits. Transport to and from airport and hotels is provided.

Each international participant also receives a new laptop (with generic packages) as a working tool for use throughout their programs during the various plenary sessions. Participants can also upgrade to an Apple iPAD or tablet of their choice (for an additional amount).

Target audience

The target audience are practitioners and people who want to develop a career in disaster risk management at national and international level. This includes disaster risk management professionals, development practitioners, government officials, policymakers, consultants, researchers and specialists of training and academic institutions, NGO representatives, humanitarian and community leaders, who are interested in acquiring the fundamental knowledge of DRM and linkages to sustainable development challenges.

How to register

Register online or contact coordinator@cabtraining.com.