"Activities that include prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation, advocacy, and legislation, of emergencies irrespective of their type, size, and location, and whose purpose is reduction in death, disability, damage, and destruction". (Dykstra 2003, 3) "...improving the livelihoods of individuals, communities and nations by measures required to put a stop to unwarranted deaths, disability, damage, and destruction". (Dykstra 2003, 4)