DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTI Lesson 2: Exposure and Vulnerability I. Overview: * This lesson will demonstrate an understanding on various elements that may be exposed to hazards. Il. Objectives: Explain the meaning of vulnerability Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than others Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to specific hazards Differentiate among hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities and explain the relationship of the three to disaster risk IH. Content Outline: * Please take time to read and understand this part because all graded activities and quizzes will be coming from these contents Concept of Vulnerabi The international Federation of Red Cross Crescent Societies or IFRC defines ‘Vulnerability as “the diminished capacity ofan individual or group to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of natural or man-made hazards”. Meanwhile, according to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Vulnerability is “the characteristics and circumstances of a eeumunity, sem, or asset that mak to the damaging effects of a hazard” ‘Vulnerability is situation specific. If earthquakes are frequent in a particular region, it does not mean that all provinces in that region are vulnerable. The vulnerability of the provinces differs in the way they prepare for the hazard and the amount and type of resources they have to prevent and damage it. Vulnerability is also hazard specific. This means that a community that is vulnerable to earthquakes does not necessarily mean that it is also vulnerable to typhoons. Again, hazards have different characteristics that influence the disasters that are likely to generate, Factors: |, | Proximity toa hazard event: An area frequented by a certain hazard predisposes it to high vulnerability. An earthquake, as an example of hazard, is more likely to happen in the Philippines than in Brazil because the Philippines is situated along. the Pacific Ring of Fire where frequent seismic activities occur. Hence, this fact already puts the Philippines in a vulnerable situation for a seismic-related event. In ‘the same manner, houses, buildings, and other structures become vulnerable to flooding if they are built on floodplains 2. Population density near a hazard event! Population differs from population density. Population refers to the number of individuals inhabiting a ticular space at the same time. If people are distributed evenly in an area, the impact of a disaster may reduce to a minimum. On the other hand, population density refers to the numberof individuals living in an area in relation to the size of that area. If all individuals crowd in one portion of a place, there is a little space and time to escape from a hazard. For example, when fire breaks put in a congested slum area, it spreads quickly and easily because of the lack of spacing between the houses. Thus, crowded communities have high vulnerability to hazards. 3. Capacity and efficiency to risk. The capacity of a community to reduce disaster risk includes the accessibility and the avail services and facilities that help in preparing for i , The availability of these resources would result in the ability if a community to, ate, adapt, and -espod to the changes in socio-eclogical and economic impacts theta sally experienced after a disaster. Fortunately, in the Philippines, super typhoons may now be accurately predicted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) through the use of modern equipment and technology 4. Building codes and disaster policies! Buildings and other structures may increase disaster risk. When they fall or collapse due to a hazard such as an earthquake, they can cause injury and even loss of lives. Thus, in the design and constructions buildings, possible hazards should be considered. Hazard-resistant structures can lower the vulnerability of a community, especially if the features or designs of the structures are hazard-specific. These ideal features or designs, however, could be very costly since the type of building materials, engineering, and technology to be used are not ordinary, Several sectors in our society are considered as Most Vulnerable, Less Vulnerable and Not Vulnerable Sectors. “Most! Vulnerable Sector they are the community members whose capacities are and overcome the damaging and harmful effects of disasters Less Taleableieaapy are the fF people in the community whose capacities f start from their own ability to acquire Material resources; skills and trainings; and~ Position in the community The Not Vulnerable Sectors are those having high position in the community. In order to overcome our vulnerabilities, we must capacitate ourselves. How are we going to do that? Let us define first what capacity is. According to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction or UNISDR. (200! fers to “all the strengths, attributes, and resource: will iat can be used to achieve an agreed goal.” These “qualities are important to citizens and community to cope with, overcome the harmful effects of, and reduce the risks of disasters through preparation, mitigation, and recovery. Hence, it is vital to develop and build these, ‘as ocioes mic, Litice gical/ ral, hysical, organizational, and leadership. It is also essential to understand the community’s coping capacity in relation with