What is the focus of tertiary prevention in disaster management?

• A. Recovery.
• B. Prevention of disasters.
• C. Immediate life-saving.
• D. Reduction of vulnerability.

Answer: (B)

Tertiary prevention in disaster management centers on reducing the long-term consequences of a disaster and helping survivors regain function. After the immediate danger has been addressed and acute needs are met, the emphasis shifts to rehabilitation, ongoing medical care, mental health support, and social reintegration. The goal is to minimize disability, prevent complications, and restore independence as much as possible through long-term care, rehabilitation services, and reconstruction.

Immediate life-saving actions fall under the response phase, not tertiary prevention. Reducing vulnerability and preventing disasters are primary prevention efforts aimed at stopping disasters before they occur. Recovery, which encompasses rebuilding and restoring people’s functioning over the long term, best captures the focus of tertiary prevention.