UNIDA CHRISTIAN COLLEGES

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE IN BASIC EDUCATION

UCC-DSBE

It takes science to raise responsible learners in the community.

UCC DSBE @EduVerseDiscourse [email protected] dsbe.wordpress.com ucc dsbe google

Exposure and
vulnerability
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain the meaning of vulnerability,
2. Explain why certain sectors of society are more
vulnerable to disasters than others,
3. Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements exposed
to specific hazards; and
4. Differentiate among hazards, exposure, and
vulnerabilities and explain the relationship of the three
to disaster risk.
 VULNERABILITY
Factors of the community that allow a
hazard to cause a disaster. Or the result of
a number of factors that increase the
chances of a community being unable to
cope with an emergency.
 exposure
Exposure as the situation of people,
infrastructure, housing, production
capacities and other tangible human assets
located in hazard-prone areas.
 Exposure: Elements Exposed to
Hazards

Exposure refers to the elements at risk that can

be affected by hazards or are present in the hazard
zones that are subject to potential losses. Exposed
elements may be tangible or intangible and can be
classified into the following categories:
Elements Exposed
to Hazards
Physical Elements
• Infrastructures such as bridges, roads, railways,
harbors, and airports.
• Essential facilities such schools, hospitals, fire and
police stations, and emergency shelters.
• Utilities that include power, water, and gas supply.
• Transportation and communication facilities.
Societal Elements
• Vulnerable age groups (children and the elderly),
persons with disability (PWD), homeless, etc.
Economic Elements
• Business and trade activities, accessibility to work,
productivity and opportunity costs.
Environmental Elements
• Biodiversity, and environmental resources such as
land, water and air.
 Reasons Why Certain Sectors of Society are More
Vulnerable to Disaster than Others…
DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
✓ Population density – the more dense, more efficient a
response should be.
✓ Age of Population – the very old and the very young.
✓ Distribution of Population – distribution of
population within hazard area.
 Reasons Why Certain Sectors of Society are More
Vulnerable to Disaster than Others…
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
✓ Wealth – low-income populations are less likely to be
well prepared.
✓ Education – education programs like shake drill to
anticipate upcoming earthquakes. It is encouraged to be
a regular activity in school at least once every quarter.
 Reasons Why Certain Sectors of Society are More
Vulnerable to Disaster than Others…
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
✓ Nature of Society – planning, strategies, efficient
emergency response, decision making and etc.
✓ Understanding of the Area – gives advantage to the
established or original settlers in particular area.
 VARIATION of Vulnerability
across SECTORS
Vulnerability and capacity of people may be
influenced by physical, social, economic or even
political factors. Age, gender, health status and
poverty greatly affect the vulnerability of different
groups.
 CHILDREN
They are not fully developed physically and
emotionally and have a poor capability to defend
themselves from abuse and
exploitation. As a vulnerable
sector they should be
provided with special
protection needs.
 SENIOR CITIZENS
The elderly may have poor health conditions which
can worsen during a disaster. They would require
assistance in terms of source of
income, supply of medicines or access
to medical facilities.
 Urban Poor
Those with low income and
unsecure livelihoods are less
likely to have greater capacity
to withstand its effects of
disaster. It is possible that
laborers in the informal sector
be displaced due to the
circumstances of disaster.
 WOMEN
Some women have less opportunities for work and
lower wages due to discrimination and gender
inequality.
Pregnant women and those
who underwent childbirth
would need pre- and post-
natal care.
Persons with Disability
They are often not reached
by disaster warning systems or
are not included in disaster
plans. Due to their conditions,
they would require higher
level of protection and easy
access to specified healthcare.
Ethnic Minorities
Disaster may force indigenous people to flee from their
homes and relocate to distant places. They are vulnerable to
misrepresentation and discrimination due to cultural
differences.
They may also have less of
income generating opportunities
when displaced by disaster
events.
Survivors of Conflict and Violence
Aside from physical needs,
victims of conflict and
violence would also need
counselling to help them
recover from disaster. They
may also need protections as
they are vulnerable to abuse.
 Recognizing
Vulnerability
of Exposed Elements
 Disaster risk is the possible death, injury or
destruction to property that could happen to a
community or system in any time period, predicted
in consideration of hazard, exposure of elements at
risk and vulnerability. Variations in hazard, exposure
and vulnerability determine disaster risk.
1. Structure Location and Elevation
Buildings in high-risk areas or at lower elevations
are more vulnerable to hazards like flooding or
earthquakes.
2. Number of Structures and Gaps
High-density areas with minimal gaps between
structures can amplify damage and risk during a
hazard event.
3. Number of Storeys
Taller buildings may face greater risk from
earthquakes and high winds due to increased
structural stress.
4. Building Materials
The choice of building materials affects resilience,
with materials like concrete offering better protection
against certain hazards.
5. Structure Shape and Symmetry
Symmetrical buildings generally perform better
under stress from hazards like earthquakes and high
winds due to even force distribution.
6. Building Content and Furnishings
Unsecured or flammable furnishings and heavy
contents can increase the risk of injury and damage
during a hazard event.
7. Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials can exacerbate risks during a
disaster by causing chemical spills, fires, or contamination
if not properly managed.
8. Population of Marginalized People
Areas with larger populations of marginalized
individuals may face increased vulnerability due to limited
access to resources, emergency services, and support during
hazards.
9. Literacy Rate and Lack of Awareness
Low literacy rates and lack of awareness can increase
vulnerability to hazards by hindering individuals' ability to
understand and respond to emergency information and safety
measures.
10.Family Type
Different family types, such as single-parent or extended
families, can affect vulnerability to hazards based on varying
levels of support, resources, and preparedness within the
household.
 COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS
✓ Building Codes – protects buildings from collapse
during earthquakes. This should be considered by the
government in the issuance of building permits and
licenses for land development.
✓ Emergency Planning – preparation is the key element
of prevention. It is likely to prepare a person or a group
(family) for such events and take action based on data,
rather than prediction.
 DEALING WITH THE AFTER-EFFECTS
✓ Insurance Cover – individuals purchase insurance
policies to mitigate their losses and prepares for
similar future events.
✓ Emergency Personnel – these are trained for
community preparedness.
✓ Aid Request – outside help in the form of
humanitarian aid is necessary during disaster and it
should be fast and efficient.