A century back, infectious diseases were seen inevitable natural disasters. People believed it as ‘acts of God’. Even today malaria, dengue, bird flu, and swine flu epidemics still take an unacceptable toll of human lives in different parts of our planets. Disaster strikes quickly, it changes lives of all that it touches and its effects are felt long after the event. The forces are largely outside the control of people whom it most affects.

Each year, natural disasters take a heavy toll on human life and property. Millions of people worldwide become homeless due to natural disasters. The United Nations estimates that in the past two decades, nearly three millions lives have been lost due to natural disasters and almost 800 millions are affected by them. About one million people have died in earthquake in last 100 years worldwide and 9 millions in floods.

Living in highly populated country, people are now at risk from disasters, either natural or man-made than ever before. These disasters brought the need for emergency preparedness to the attention of population. Floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, cyclones, fire, etc. have created concerns across the country for preparedness. Terrorists act almost every day pointing to an urgent need for special planning and responses of emergency responders and agencies. Disasters pose monumental challenges to the total community.

Across the world or in our own backyard, disasters have devastating results due to inadequate preparation, the latest being the Gujarat quake. Since natural calamities tend to be unavoidable and earthquakes unpredictable, efforts have to be made to withstand the aftermath of catastrophes. Disaster management training is useful for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and students of Social 6Work of all faculties. It also proves useful for functionaries of rural development and primary health centers, administrative services and relief workers.

When disaster strikes, it is time for action. Disaster management education is a step forward in generating an understanding of the implications of disasters, their control and management. We need the support of scientific personnel to provide the information and knowledge to forewarn us of impending calamities. Disasters particularly of high magnitude like floods, earthquakes, bomb blasts bring about physical, physiological, psychological and socioeconomic problems.

The main objective of the book is to offer integrated, holistic and comprehensive knowledge for operative effectiveness in health management of disasters. The multisectorial, multidimensional and coordinated roles including various national and international agencies have been discussed in detail. Many experts have given their efforts to present realistic, holistic and practical approaches in global and country context. The book will be useful to all those who are linked with disaster management such as planners, general administrators, clinicians, nursing professionals, industrialists and non-governmental organizations actively participating in disaster management.

The textbook is a gold mine of state-of-the-art knowledge and information concerning disasters as a threat to public health. Most impressive are the extensive learning resources made available to the reader. I hope that the book proves valuable for those who are concerned. I greatly acknowledge the contribution by various experts.

I wish to acknowledge and convey my deep gratitude to all those who have enriched and crystallized the book, the almighty God whose grace and countless blessings were experienced throughout the period of writing.

I express my profound gratitude to my friend and philosopher Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Pune, Maharashtra, India, who through his constant encouragement, valuable guidance and sustained patience made me complete the book.

I am deeply indebted to Col Jayalakshmi N, Principal, Symbiosis College of Nursing, Pune, Maharashtra, India, for the smooth facilitation of writing the book with necessary administrative permissions.

My sincere gratitude to all the faculty members of the Symbiosis College of Nursing for their support, encouragement and valuable suggestions, throughout the period of writing the book.

I express sincere and deep gratitude to all my family members for their ongoing sacrifice, cooperation, inspiration and never-ending valuable support.