What are the four phases of disaster management and their primary focus?

• A. Preparedness (planning and training).
• B. Response (containment and lifesaving).
• C. Recovery (restoration).
• D. Mitigation (risk reduction and resilience).

Answer: (D)

Disaster management unfolds in four phases, each with its own main aim: Mitigation focuses on reducing risks before a disaster happens and building resilience so communities can better withstand future events; Preparedness covers planning, training, and resource readiness to respond effectively when something occurs; Response involves immediate actions to save lives, contain damage, and provide urgent relief; Recovery aims to restore services and return the community to normal functioning after the event. The option describing Mitigation centers on risk reduction and resilience, which is foundational because reducing hazards and strengthening systems before a disaster helps improve outcomes across the entire cycle. Understanding this helps explain why focusing on Mitigation is the strongest single anchor among the choices, while the full framework also includes Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.