Which disaster management stage focuses on preparedness and planning?

• A. Preparedness and planning
• B. Prevention
• C. Recovery
• D. Response

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is recognizing how disaster management is organized into phases that address different times relative to a hazard. The phase devoted to preparation and planning is all about getting ready before anything happens: creating emergency plans, conducting risk assessments, training responders, running drills, coordinating with agencies, and pre-positioning supplies and resources so systems can operate smoothly when a disaster strikes.

This phase is the best choice because its core focus is on readiness and foresight—laying out procedures, roles, and resources in advance so responses can be swift and effective. The other stages have distinct focuses: prevention aims to reduce or avoid hazards and their impacts; the response stage deals with immediate actions to protect lives and property during an event; and the recovery stage centers on restoring services and rebuilding after the incident.