ABSTRACT
The term community risk management highlights the need to address hazards at the community level. The extent of the impact that a hazard will have depends on the level of vulnerability of the community. Vulnerability is a measure of community coping capacity, characterised by the features of resilience and susceptibility. The risk for the community is that its development achievements in health, wealth, wisdom and security are threatened and may even be damaged. To ensure that community reactions are appropriate, effective and efficient, there is a need to focus on emergency preparedness programmes which will empower local authorities. The processes of sustainable human development and community risk management can both be described as ways of understanding how people can be helped to achieve their aspirations. Community risk management is a fundamental adjunct to sustainable human development in that it addresses factors that can impact on development objectives.
