You may hear the DRM Authority talk about hazards and disasters, and it is vital for you to know the difference. Knowing the difference can help you understand why you need to ensure that you and your family are always hazard-ready—it may save your lives.

Hazard 101

A hazard is a threat or danger that has the potential to be destructive. Hazards may cause injury, death, damage to property, and disrupt normal everyday life and economic trade and activities.

While many hazards are natural, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, many are man-made, like pandemics, armed conflicts or wars.

Disaster Distinction

A disaster, on the other hand, is what can potentially happen after a hazard event occurs, particularly if that event is not properly prepared for and managed. 

Governments, communities, families, and individuals can use many strategies to prepare for, manage, and reduce the impact of a hazard. And the degree to which they use these strategies directly impacts how severe the hazard’s aftermath, i.e., the “disaster,” will be.

How Do You Fit In?

One of the keys to reducing a hazard’s level of impact, that is, a disaster, is preparation, and that preparation takes all of us.  We are all in this together.  While it is the job of the Bahamas government to be prepared on a larger scale, which is the work of the DRM Authority, you can help our country and community get disaster-ready by getting yourself and your family ready. There are many steps you can take to get prepared, and the DRM Authority and the resources here at getready.gov.gov.bs can help you.  Use them, follow the work of the DRM Authority, and volunteer in any way you can.  It takes all of us to reduce the impact of disasters on our country, and we can do it together.