Modern Issues in Disaster Management

Disaster management is a major discipline that involves a range of activities, and its importance has grown rapidly in response to contemporary challenges in the world. To improve the course of action undertaken during disaster scenarios, it is necessary to identify the challenges at different stages of the disaster management process and its related activities, which is the aim of this thesis. Quantitative research methods such as semi-structured interviews conducted with NGO staff and the application of open coding techniques to interview transcripts can assist in identifying problematic areas in the disaster management process and provide insight for subsequent recommendations for improvement. Supported by a literature review and the results of the research presented in this thesis, it was found that the most common difficulties faced by disaster responders are the lack of standards, issues with locating necessary infrastructure, and communication hurdles with stakeholders at different stages of the disaster management process. An investigation of disaster preparedness is therefore an essential step in clarifying an approach for compiling standards in disaster management activities, enabling effective communications with stakeholders, and establishing the locations for disaster relief warehouses. Research in this area is critical to not only improving the speed of delivery of aid, it is a vital step in mitigating the costs of delivering aid and reducing the overall impact of a disaster.