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Tools and guides

The disaster cycle

A visual illustration of how people build resilience in response to shocks and stresses

2019 Available in English

Road destruction caused by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique

Road destruction caused by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. Photo: David Mutua/Tearfund

One helpful way of looking at resilience is to explore what happens when people experience shocks and stresses. If people and communities are adapting to shocks and stresses every day without falling into crisis - though perhaps becoming more or less vulnerable - what happens when people do fall into crisis? What is known as The Disaster Cycle illustrates what happens when people experience stresses or shocks. These can be split into 3 areas - Stress management, Crisis management and Risk management.

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