ABSTRACT

Introduction The unprecedented occurrence of disasters has become a recurrent global phenomenon. It affects the poor and vulnerable communities in a disproportionate manner compared to other sections of society. The resultant damage generally is too great for the affected country to cope with using only its own resources. Today, disaster

Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................... 423 Disaster Risk Reduction: A Global Concern ......................................................424 Disaster-Resilient Communities: A Conceptual Framework ............................. 426 Disaster Risk Reduction and the Public-Private Partnership Approach ............ 428 Public-Private Partnership: A Global Perspective ...............................................432 Public-Private Partnerships in Promoting Disaster Resilience: Focus and Concerns ....................................................................................................437 Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 443 References ........................................................................................................ 444

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risks are aggravated by environmental degradation, unplanned development, geographical hazards, and public health problems. The fatalistic attitude pertaining to disasters among the people is receding, giving way to acceptance and awareness of the risks that are likely to arise from the impending threats. Globally, there is increasing recognition that disasters are the outcome of interaction between two components-hazard and vulnerability.