In recent years, disaster management has been the focus of attention since disasters have been associated with huge destructions and consequences. Basically, disaster management techniques aim at the prevention and mitigation works as well as promotion of resilience.
Haddon’s matrix was proposed as a conceptual model to understand the event and provide preventive measures in the field of injury prevention. This matrix is a combination of epidemiological triangle, including host, agent, and environmental factors at three levels of prevention, including pre-event, event, and post-event. In spite of frequent application of Haddon’s strategies in prevention of various injuries; hitherto, application of Haddon matrix in disaster management has been rarely investigated. However, its potential capability for managing disasters calls for its further introduction which is the main focus of our study.

On Friday, 14 April 2017, a heavy flash flood occurred in North-West of Iran that affected 12 cities; the most severely affected and damaged ones were Ajabshir and Azarshahr in East Azerbaijan Province. These Flash floods claimed the lives of 42 people. Major casualties occurred when the victims were trapped inside their cars. According to preliminary analyses, flood damages in East Azerbaijan Province are estimated to be around three trillion Rials. Following the Flash floods, disaster relief organizations were activated. Iranian President, Minister of Energy, and the provincial authorities rushed to visit flood-stricken areas and oversee the rescue and relief operations.