ABSTRACT
In a world where the climate is changing, preparedness and rapid response to urgently emerging disasters is crucial. The overall increasing number and scale of man-made disasters, and those caused by natural hazards, cannot be ignored due to their cascading effects which are inflicting damage on an increasing human population and posing a serious threat to critical infrastructure.
The increased technologisation of societies can prove advantageous, while making entire populations dependent on state-owned water and electricity providers when crises arise and resilience is lacking – what was once convenient can increase vulnerability.
