Disaster risk reduction strategies and post-disaster infrastructure reconstruction

World’s vulnerability to natural disasters has increased over the last few years.
Hence, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into constructed facilities has taken
up an important role in the whole of the disaster management cycle. This paper
aims to study the importance of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in to postdisaster
infrastructure reconstruction and the initiatives taken by the relevant
bodies in order to minimize the future natural risks in reconstruction of
infrastructure. Reconstruction serves to reinforce the society or sometimes even
increase the vulnerability of the society. Therefore, investment in the physical
infrastructure for disaster management is essential as it can result in reduced loss
of lives in case of a disaster, do withstand disasters, reduces the risk of failure and
thus contributes to disaster reduction and prevention. However, infrastructure
reconstruction programs should aim to change the vulnerable conditions for the
development of the country. It is well identified that all critical infrastructure
facilities must be designed to a given level of safety from disaster impact.
Moreover, such guidelines must be provided to designers and adequate monitoring
system be in place. Thus, the routine reconstruction of infrastructure should, for
example, incorporate design features that protect them from known hazards. The
research reveals strategies used in general and in specific to the infrastructure
sectors in addressing the above issues. A comprehensive literature review was
carried out on the present situation with regard to above-mentioned measures.
This research expects to strengthen the infrastructure reconstruction process by
reporting the practical measures taken in reduction of future risks in the posttsunami
infrastructure reconstruction of Sri Lanka.