Which phase of disaster management focuses on preparedness and planning?

The mitigation phase of disaster management is all about taking proactive steps to reduce the impact of disasters before they occur. This phase is critical because it includes activities focused on risk assessment, emergency planning, and the development of contingency strategies to prepare communities for potential disasters.

During this phase, various strategies are implemented, such as conducting drills, creating emergency plans, and educating the community about disaster risks and preparedness measures. The goal of these activities is to ensure that individuals and organizations are ready to respond effectively, thereby minimizing harm and facilitating a quicker recovery when a disaster strikes.

In contrast, while the response phase is concerned with immediate actions during a disaster, the recovery phase deals with restoring the community after a disaster has occurred. The evaluation phase focuses on assessing the effectiveness of disaster response and planning for future improvements. These phases do not directly involve planning and preparedness, which makes the mitigation phase the correct choice for this question.