What is Disaster Preparedness It is common for Hongkongers to consider their home a place safe from large-scale disasters, but let statistics speak: Statistics 1 In 2009 - 2019, 19 of the tropical cyclones hitting the city had the strength that reached Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above [1], causing more than 1,000 casualties. Statistics 2 Super Typhoons Hato in 2017 led to over 120 injuries respectively [2]. Economic loss arisen from Hato was estimated to reach HKD 8 billion [4]. Statistics 3 Typhoons Mangkhut in 2018 led to over 450 injuries respectively [3]. Some scholars and experts estimated a loss of HKD 1 billion, while some believed it could amount to as high as HKD 200 billion [5]. Better physical preparedness (e.g. storing a reasonable amount of food and drinking water at home before severe typhoon) help reduce the impacts of disasters, thereby safeguarding our life and property [6]. Moreover, sufficient preparations help us feel less anxious and calmer to respond to threats, so that we can make sound decisions in times of chaos and emergencies [7]. To maximize the effectiveness of physical preparedness, we need to have psychological preparedness as well [8]. That's why we have measures of both psychological and physical preparedness shared on this website, which also facilitates you to access comprehensive information at one-stop. Disaster preparedness covers 4 areas, i.e. disaster knowledge, response plans (both physical and psychological), life and property protection and initiation of recovery. Different people play different roles, depending on whether you are a member of the public (For Individual), a resident or a leader of the community (For Community), disaster worker (For Disaster Worker) or managerial personnel of organizations (For Organizations). You can take corresponding actions to get ready before disasters. Only with the concerted efforts of everyone will disaster preparedness be rendered effective. For Individual We all know that physical preparedness for disasters helps minimize tangible loss. However... Read Me For Community As the leaders or local organizations of the community (e.g. Rural Representatives and Mutual Aid Committee of households)... Read Me For Disaster Workers Given the job nature, those of you working as disaster workers may experience ardent stress in demanding situations, ranging from handling body... Read Me For Organizations Possible service disruptions may occur during and after a disaster. To ensure optimal service delivery while responding to and recovering from the disaster... Read Me Note: [1] Adapted from HKO Warnings and Signals Database，Hong Kong Observatory. [2] Adapted from Casualties and Damage Caused by Tropical Cyclones in Hong Kong since 1960，Hong Kong Observatory. [3] Adapted from A Wake up Call from Mangkhut, Hong Kong Observatory. [4] Adapted from 香港地球之友就《2019-2020財政預算案》作出回應, Friends of the Earth, HK. [5] Adapted from 打風經濟損失10億 學者：交通大混亂計算在內, Apple Daily, HK. [6] Adapted from Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness, US Federal Emergency Management Agency. [7] Adapted from Psychological preparation for natural disasters, Australian Psychological Society. [8] Evaluating the effectiveness of psychological preparedness advice in community cyclone preparedness materials (Morrissey & Reser, 2003).
What is Disaster Preparedness It is common for Hongkongers to consider their home a place safe from large-scale disasters, but let statistics speak: