<P> A "disaster", noun, is defined as a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage or hardship such as a flood, aircraft crash or an angry person . "Response" is defined (in this context) as: Noun: An answer or reply, as in words or in some action . </P> <P> The Business Dictionary provide a more comprehensive definition for "disaster response"; Aggregate of decisions and measures to (1) contain or mitigate the effects of a disastrous event to prevent any further loss of life and / or property, (2) restore order in its immediate aftermath, and (3) re-establish normality through reconstruction and re-rehabilitation shortly thereafter . The first and immediate response is called emergency response . </P> <P> The Johns Hopkins and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) state: "The word disaster implies a sudden overwhelming and unforeseen event . At the household level, a disaster could result in a major illness, death, a substantial economic or social misfortune . At the community level, it could be a flood, a fire, a collapse of buildings in an earthquake, the destruction of livelihoods, an epidemic or displacement through conflict . When occurring at district or provincial level, a large number of people can be affected ." </P> <P> A recent case study of a disaster response undertaken by the IFRC can be viewed here . </P>

When is a situation is considered a disaster