Mitigation

Synonym

Risk reduction

Definition

Mitigation is the planning and execution of measures designed to reduce the risk to acceptable or tolerable levels.

Introduction

Risk mitigation is an important component of risk management. To develop effective risk mitigation measures, one should understand the key determinants of risk; that is hazard and vulnerability.

Risk mitigation strategies

Risk mitigation strategies for natural hazards aim at either reducing the hazard, or reducing the vulnerability and exposure of the population, infrastructure, and other elements at risk. They can broadly be categorized into the following groups:

• Physical measures to reduce the frequency and/or severity of the hazard

• Land-use planning

• Early warning systems (and emergency evacuation plans) (early warning systems)

• Risk communication (risk perception/communication) and public awareness campaigns

• Legislation and enforcement of building codes

• Measures to pool and transfer the risks such as natural hazard insurance

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