Key Elements and Activities of Disaster Recovery

This chapter provides an overview of the key elements and activities of the disaster recovery phase. Recovery is a systematic process aimed at restoring essential services, infrastructure, and community functions following a disaster. It encompasses three sub-phases determined by time: pre-disaster, short-term, and long-term actions. Pre-disaster recovery is the process of measures taken before a disaster strikes to facilitate an efficient and effective response to the disaster, thereby minimizing the impacts. Short-term recovery is the immediate response to a crisis, focusing on restoring functionality, reestablishing essential services, and providing immediate relief to those affected. Long-term recovery goes beyond immediate response and short-term efforts to focus on rebuilding infrastructure, improving public services, stimulating the economy, and producing a less vulnerable society. It involves advancing pre-disaster conditions with a focus on resilience and sustainability, providing opportunities for improvement and resolution of long-standing issues, and mitigating the impact of future disasters.