Lessons learned from COVID-19 response for disaster risk management

This paper discusses the ways in which COVID-19 has provided the opportunity to make the world resilient to multiple hazards by systematically evaluating lessons learned from the COVID-19 response for disaster risk management. Decision and policy makers in disaster management are compelled to look at alternative measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They require integrated measures to both reduce the spread of COVID-19 and response to disasters. The measures to mitigate damage of disaster amid COVID-19 can become expensive and inefficient compared to single disaster responses, resulting in delays. Hence, a balance is crucial to successfully manage co-occurring disasters, and new holistic approaches are necessary to produce efficient responses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This paper provides an overview of multiple disasters amid COVID-19 and discusses future strategic actions. The author concludes that an integrated policy is required for managing disasters during the pandemic. New approaches should aim to protect the most vulnerable and empower all people to make informed decisions enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability with emphasis on appreciating multi hazard early warning systems. A balance is crucial to successfully manage co-occurring disasters, and new holistic approaches are necessary to produce efficient responses during the COVID-19 outbreak.