# Principles and ethics

Subject: Disaster Management

Exam: M2

Reader: https://deep-learning-study-room.vercel.app/dm/#m2/papers/m2-questions/ethics

Canonical: https://deep-learning-study-room.vercel.app/read/dm/m2/papers/m2-questions--ethics/

2-mark and 3-mark practice · full answers below each question

### Practice question. State and explain three basic principles of disaster management. [3 practice marks]

#### Answer

1. **Comprehensive approach:** plan for multiple hazards and cover mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
2. **Coordination:** clearly allocate agency responsibilities and share reliable information to avoid delays or duplicated work.
3. **Inclusion:** involve communities and provide accessible warnings, shelters and assistance according to need.

#### Illustrative application · Inclusive assistance at a shelter

A shelter team allocates help by need, provides accessible facilities and respects privacy. It does not distribute aid according to social status or publicity value. This turns humanity, impartiality and dignity into observable decisions.

### Practice question. State and explain any three general ethical principles of disaster management. [3 practice marks]

#### Answer

1. **Non-discrimination.** Assistance must not depend on caste, religion, gender or political affiliation. Registration and shelter access must be fair and accessible.
2. **Humanity.** Protect life, health and human dignity. Provide water, shelter and urgent care while preventing humiliation or exploitation.
3. **Impartiality.** Allocate assistance according to assessed need and urgency. A severely affected settlement may receive more resources than a less affected one.

#### Illustrative application · Inclusive assistance at a shelter

A shelter team allocates help by need, provides accessible facilities and respects privacy. It does not distribute aid according to social status or publicity value. This turns humanity, impartiality and dignity into observable decisions.

### Practice question. Explain ethical principles applicable before a disaster. [3 practice marks]

#### Answer

1. **Information and participation:** provide reliable, accessible risk information and include residents in planning.
2. **Prevention and training:** implement safety measures and conduct drills in schools, workplaces and public places.
3. **Equitable protection:** make special arrangements for people with limited mobility, children and other at-risk groups, while protecting dignity and access to remedies.

#### Illustrative application · Inclusive planning before the warning

Before the cyclone season, a coastal village identifies residents who need evacuation assistance, checks accessible transport and shelter access, explains warnings in local languages, and invites residents to report gaps. These actions apply participation, reliable information and equitable protection before an emergency occurs.

### Practice question. Explain three ethical duties during disaster response. [3 practice marks]

#### Answer

1. **Impartial relief:** distribute food, water and shelter according to assessed needs without discrimination.
2. **Respect for dignity:** protect privacy, personal safety, family unity and freedom from abuse.
3. **Accessible and safe assistance:** communicate clearly, support those needing help to evacuate, and protect rescue workers with equipment and training.

#### Illustrative application · Inclusive assistance at a shelter

A shelter team allocates help by need, provides accessible facilities and respects privacy. It does not distribute aid according to social status or publicity value. This turns humanity, impartiality and dignity into observable decisions.

### Practice question. Explain the role of engineers in disaster management. [3 practice marks]

#### Answer

1. **Before impact:** design resilient buildings and lifelines, map hazards and maintain warning and backup systems.
2. **During response:** assess infrastructure damage, restore emergency communications and support safe rescue logistics.
3. **During recovery:** restore services and rebuild to safer standards while reviewing the failures that increased losses.

#### Illustrative application · Engineering choices reduce risk

A civil engineer checks structural safety, an electrical engineer protects power systems, and a communications engineer designs warning redundancy. Their work supports the same community plan through different technical responsibilities.