Mitigation activities are conducted at what stage of disaster management?

• A. Only during recovery
• B. During the response phase
• C. Before the disaster occurs
• D. After the disaster ends

Answer: (C)

Mitigation is about reducing risk before a disaster occurs. It includes actions to lessen potential impacts and vulnerabilities, such as strengthening building codes, implementing smart land-use planning to avoid hazard-prone areas, retrofitting critical infrastructure, improving flood defenses, and public education on risk. Because these measures are planned ahead of any event, they belong to the pre-disaster stage. In contrast, response focuses on immediate actions during the disaster, and recovery addresses rebuilding afterward. While some mitigation work can continue after a disaster, the defining timing is before the disaster takes place.