General factors regarding the disaster prevention stage

During the prevention stage, efforts to avoid the escalation of risks and hazards requires a heightened awareness of the underlying causes of disasters and of the responsibilities and capacities to instigate change. This power to influence change in political worldviews or organisational risk and safety cultures, for example, depends on the social position in society (e.g. policy makers hold more power than common citizens), but also on whether or not disaster prevention is enough of a priority and a motivator.

Cultural Factors: Power relations, Worldviews

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention

Types of Actors Concerned: National civil protection body, Local authorities, Non-active citizens, Active citizens, Entrepreneurs, Media, Government, National research bodies, Red Cross, NGOs, Military, Law enforcement agencies, Healthcare and emergency services, European Civil Protection Mechanism, UN and other international organisations, All types of actors

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective