What is the purpose of mitigation in disaster management?

• A. Providing shelter after the disaster.
• B. Actions taken before a disaster happens to reduce the loss of life and property.
• C. Ignoring pre-disaster planning.
• D. Conducting search and rescue only.

Answer: (B)

Mitigation is about reducing risk before a disaster happens so fewer people and assets are harmed when it strikes. It involves actions that lessen vulnerability and potential damage, such as enforcing building codes, retrofitting structures, planning land use to avoid high-risk areas, building defenses like flood barriers, establishing early warning systems, and educating communities about risk and preparedness. Because the goal is to address hazards before they unfold, the best description is actions taken beforehand to reduce loss of life and property.

Providing shelter after the disaster is part of response and relief, not mitigation. Ignoring pre-disaster planning goes against the purpose of mitigation, and conducting search and rescue is also a response activity rather than a preventive one.