A primary goal of many disaster preparedness, response, and recovery plans is to reduce the
likelihood and severity of disaster impacts through increased resilience of individuals and
communities. Unfortunately, most plans do not address directly major drivers of long-term disaster
impacts on humans—that is, acute, chronic, and cumulative stress—and therefore do less to enhance
resilience than they could.
Resilience is a logical concept which speaks to something everyone wants—the ability to bounce
back from a serious, disruptive event, and resume a productive life going forward.
likelihood and severity of disaster impacts through increased resilience of individuals and
communities. Unfortunately, most plans do not address directly major drivers of long-term disaster
impacts on humans—that is, acute, chronic, and cumulative stress—and therefore do less to enhance
resilience than they could.
Resilience is a logical concept which speaks to something everyone wants—the ability to bounce
back from a serious, disruptive event, and resume a productive life going forward.