SAINT MICHAEL COLLEGE, CANTILAN, INCORPORATED

DISASTER READINESS and RISK

REDUCTION MANAGEMENT
FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
DIAGNOSTIC TEST

1. Which of the following is the “safest” province in the country in terms of natural
disasters?
a. Masbate c. North Cotabato
b. Palawan d. Nueva Vizcaya

2. Which of the following provinces is the most prone to earthquakes?

a. Davao Oriental c. Cebu
b. Bohol d. Palawan

3. Which of the following heightens the occurrence of disasters?

a. Climate Change c. Environmental Problems
b. Social and economic vulnerabilities d. All of the choices
DIAGNOSTIC TEST

4. According to physical scientists, disasters are defined by their ______

a. Intensity c. Geographical scale
b. Duration and timing d. None of the choices

5. Which of the following is an example of natural disasters?

a. War c. Typhoon
b. Oil Leak d. Bomb Blast

6. Which of the following provinces is at low risk for earthquake-induced shallow

landslides?
a. Sulu c. Palawan
b. Catanduanes d. Basilan
DIAGNOSTIC TEST

7. Which of the following provinces is at high risk for volcanic eruptions?

a. Mindoro Oriental c. Sulu
b. Cebu d. Zamboanga del Norte

8. Which of the following provinces is least prone to tsunamis?

a. Agusan del Norte c. Camiguin
b. Aklan d. North Cotabato

9. Which of the is NOT an example of natural disasters?

a. Landslides b. Typhoon c. Tsunami d. War
DIAGNOSTIC TEST

10. What is meant by “PHIVOLCS”?

a. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismicity
b. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
c. Philippine Institute of Volcanism and Seismology
Disaster is defined as a crisis situation causing wide spread damage
which far exceeds our ability to recover. Thus, by definition there
cannot be a perfect ideal system that prevent damage, because then it
would not be a disaster. It has suffocate our ability to recover. Only then
can be called disaster.

Disaster are not totally discrete events. Their possibility of

occurrence, time and, place and severity of the strike can be reasonably
and in some cases accurately predicted by technological and scientific
advances. It has been established that there is a definite pattern in their
occurrences and hence we can, to some extent, reduce the impact of
damage though we cannot reduce the extent of damage itself.
The word disaster is derived from middle
French disaster and that from the old Italian
disastro, which in turn comes from the Greek
pejorative prefix δuo-,(dus-) “bad” and σϮйр
(aster), “star”. The root of the word disaster
(“bad star” in Greek) comes from the
astrological sense of a calamity blamed on the
sights of planets.
Disasters are growing problem. They are an increasing concern to
governments and an increasing part of the UN’s principle activity.

Government and development agencies in general cannot rely on

normal procedures to implement appropriate responses. They need
to learn and practice special skills and attitudes (UNDP/UNDRO)

Disasters hurt the poor and vulnerable the most. Low-income

countries account for more than 70 percent of the world’s disaster
“hotspots,” and the worlds poor, one third of whom live in multi-
hazard zones, are most vulnerable.
On the other hand, disaster risk is potential of losing something of
value. Values (such as physical health, social status, emotional well-
being or financial wealth) can be gained or lost when taking risk
resulting from a given action, activity and/or inaction, foreseen or
unforeseen.

Uncertainty is a potential, unpredictable, immeasurable and

uncontrollable outcome; risk is a consequence of action in taken in
spite of uncertainty.
It is an extraordinary situation that requires an immediate response,
but can be adequately managed at the local level designated
responders, such as police officers, Firefighters, emergency medical
technicians, and public health officials.

Types of Disasters

1. Natural Disaster- (earthquakes, floods, landslides etc)

2. Man-Made disaster-(war, bomb blasts, chemical leaks etc)
Underlying Risk Factors

There are some underlying factors which increase disaster, and

which need to be addressed in order to reduce overall risk. These
includes environmental problems, such as declining ecosystems,
social and economic vulnerabilities, and climate change.

Climate Change is key element in the shifting nature of disaster risk

for many communities; not only does it bring the increase risk of
extreme weather events but it also increases the stress on many
societies ( Ex. Water availability, food production and ecosystem
change)
Effects of Disasters

Millions of people are affected by disasters every year and the

impact can be dreadful. From the devastation of buildings to the
spread of disease, disasters can destroy an entire country at once.
Effects in Community

The range of effect of disasters on a community can be described

across the social, built, economic and natural environments. The
importance of supporting the social functioning of a community is
fundamental to the implementation of recovery activities in all other
environments, and to supporting the foundations of community
sustainability.
Effects on Individuals

Although the effect upon individuals and households needs to be

understood and addressed, it is equally important to understand the
impact and disruption to the social capital and connectedness of
communities and the need to support the restoration of communities to
a functioning state.
Effects on Social Environment

Effects on the social environment include the disappearance of much of

what is once considered routine- from simple, everyday things to the loss
of the communication network that you are familiar with, such as
walking down the street and talking to people.
Effects on Built Environment

Depend on the disaster type, scale, magnitude, duration and location of

impact. Within the built environment impacts may includes:

a. Loss of essential services, power, water, food, fuel, sewerage, gas,

communications, internet.
b. Loss of community infrastructure; example, public buildings, schools,
hospitals, iconic buildings.
c. Loss/damage/disruption of transport services (example; roads, air,
marine and rail transport infrastructure, facilities and assessts)
d. Loss of property (residential, rural, industrial, public)
Disaster Risk
Disaster risk is defined as
the probability of harmful
consequences or
expected losses (death,
injuries, property,
livelihood, economic
activity disruptive or
environment damaged)
resulting from the
interactions bet. Natural
or human disaster.
The 2015 World Risk Report
released by the United
Nations University-Institute
for Environment and Human
Security ranks the
Philippines as the third
highest country at risk to
disaster.
The World Risk Index or WRI is based on 28 indicators
and research data, and determines the risk to disasters
as a result of vulnerability and natural hazards.

The WRI indicators are grouped into:

 EXPOSURE
 SUSCEPTABILITY
 COPING CAPACITY
 ADAPTIVE CAPACITY
A country is rated on its exposure to earthquake,
cyclones, floods, drought, and rise in sea level.

A country’s susceptibility is rated according to its

population access to improve sanitation and water
supply, percentage of undernourished, dependency
ratio, population below of those below the poverty
line, GDP per capita, and Gini Index.
Under coping capacity, the following indicators are
rated: corruption perception index, failed states index,
number of physicians per 10 000 people, number of
hospitals beds per 10 000 people, and insurance
coverage.
And lastly, under adaptive capacity, the following
indicators are rated: adult literacy rate, combined gross
enrolment ratio, gender parity in education, women in
national parliament, water quantity, biodiversity and
habitat and etc.
Adaptive capacity refers to the size of a population that
can survive on available resources. Often, when the
carrying capacity is exceeded, the risk of a catastrophic
collapse increase.

Factors such as rapid urbanization or the concentration

of people and property in hazardous areas contribute
to this steady increase. A natural hazard cannot be
considered a disaster in of itself.
In addition to the hazard, there must be a vulnerable
entity to the phenomenon for it to be considered a
disaster. Vulnerability, in this sense, is defined as the
combination of several physical, social, environmental,
or economic factors that increase the susceptability of
a population or community to a natural hazard.
Another factor in disaster risk is exposure. This refers to
people or properties who or which are directly affected
by natural disasters.

Risk is therefore defined as the measure of the losses,

death, injuries, and damage to property due to a
particular or combination of hazards. Disaster risk can
be expressed as a function of hazard, vulnerability, and
exposure as shown in the following:
Risk= Hazard Exposure Vulnerability
Coping capacity

Looking deeper into the relationship of hazard,

exposure, and vulnerability, it is easy to see how risk
can be reduced. Since hazard refers to potential, only
the other two factors, exposure and vulnerability can
be adjusted.
Measures, such as moving people away from
hazardous areas or implementing zoning restrictions,
can be done to reduce the exposure to natural hazards.
People can also be trained or be instructed to prepare
for a disaster. Mitigation measures can likewise be
done by the community to reduce the vulnerability
component. If these are taken, then disaster risk can be
reduced.
Nature of
Disasters
Natural Disaster are related to natural processes that
occur on earth with or without warning. In some areas,
people are aware of the hazards that could lead to
disaster, and they probably have come up with actions
or plans to cope with them.
There are natural disasters that can be monitored, such
as typhoons or volcanic eruptions, which could be vital
in providing enough information for evacuation or
implementation of disaster response measures.
Humanmade Disaster often occur once the precursor
sets in. However, majority of humanmade disasters
often occur without warning: hazardous materials
could leak from chemical tanker after a road accident
or by the deliberate acts of terrorism.
 Classification of Disaster

Geological Hydro Anthropogenic Biological

meteorological

Earthquake Typhoons Hazardous Insect infestation

Volcanic eruptions Tornadoes materials Epidemic
Tsunami Drought Acid rain Wildfires
Landslides Thunderstorm Global warming
Floods Storm surges
Subsidence
Levels of Response

It is important for all communities to have contingency

plans in the event of a disaster. Since they are the ones
living in the area, they should know the hazard they are
most at risk for. They should also know the necessary
preparations for and responses ot these events.
 YOU

FAMILY AND
NEIGHBORS

CIVIL DEFENSE
AREA HQs

LOCAL EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTER

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL

SUPPORT
Effects of
Disasters
Hazards of any type can have primary, secondary, or
tertiary effects. Primary effects are those coming
directly from the incident itself. Water damage due to
floods, and collapsed structures due to earthquakes
are examples of primary effects.
Secondary effects, on the other hand, stem from the
primary effects. An earthquake may have collapsed
structures as a primary effect, but fires can break out
and electrical lines and water pipes may be damaged
as a result of collapsed structures.
Flooding in lowlands due to a landslide in a river or a
body of water can be considered a secondary effect as
well.

The long-term effect of a hazard is called a tertiary

effect. The permanent relocation of a community due
to an earthquake and the reshaping of a river channel
after an earthquake can be considered as tertiary
effects.
Preparedness- Activities prior to a disaster. Such as creating
preparedness plans, doing emergency exercises, and
implementing warning systems.

Response- Activities a disaster, such as provision for public

warning systems, conducting emergency operations, and
search and rescue.

Recovery- Activities following a disaster, such as creating

temporary houses, processing claims and grant, and doing
long-term medical care and counselling.
 PREPAREDNESS

MITIGATION DISASTER

RESPONSE
RECOVERY
Hazards
A hazard is defined as a potentially damaging physical event
that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage,
social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.

The Philippines location increases the probability of

experiencing intense storm. Because it is located within the
pacific ring of fire, the chances of experiencing volcanic
eruptions is very high, and, along with it, earthquakes,
landslides, and other natural processes.
Hazards know no politics, race, or creed; it could strike
anytime. With the changes brought about by the effects
of climate change, hazards have become even greater
and their occurrences more frequent. Nowadays, it has
become common for storms to enter the Philippine Area
of Responsibility in quick succession. Understanding the
hazards that you might be faced with in the future
based on what has happened in the past can make the
community better prepared.
Exposure
Exposure and vulnerability are the main components of
disaster risk that have impeded the economic growth of
the pacific region, and cause a direct toll on a country’s
economy. As the rapid rate urbanization continues,
some people are forced to build their homes or
businesses in hazardous areas, often without planning
involved.
According to Dr. Noeleen Heyzer,
the UN undersecretary-General
and the Executive Secretary of the
economic and social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP),
the shared challenge in Asia and
the Pacific is to control the
growing rate of exposure and rise
of vulnerability.
Margareta Whalström, the
special Representative of the UN
Secretary-General for disaster
risk reduction from2008-2005 ,
stated the exposure to disaster
risk is growing faster than our
resilience.
Truly, countermeasures must be made to address
exposure to hazards that could quickly become
disasters.

One method of reducing exposure is to map out the

hazards that a community is exposed to.

The Philippine Government’s National operational

Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) of the Department of
Science and Technology was created specifically for this
purpose.
Vulnerability
According to the UN International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction, vulnerability refers to the physical, social,
economic, and environmental factors that increase
susceptibility to hazards. Vulnerability may refer to the
following:

 Disregard for environmental management

 Poorly-planned communities
 Poorly-constructed infrastructures and homes.
 Lack of public information on awareness on
preparedness and risk
Emergency
Management
Cycle
Emergency management refers to the ability of an
individual or institution to prevent or mitigate, prepare
for, respond to, and recover from a crisis. Note that the
bulk of the emergency management work should take
place well before an actual crisis.
The emergency management cycle consist of four
phases which are cyclic in nature: Prevention-mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recover.
Emergency management should produce a formal
emergency plan. A comprehensive plan should:

1. Address all phases of emergency management;

2. Take an all-hazards approach; and
3. Ensure that available manpower and resources are
identified.
AREAS AND LOCATIONS
EXPOSED TO DISASTER
Risk to Earthquakes-Induced Landslides

Most of the provinces, except Palawan, are susceptible to

landslides hazards. The top ten provinces that are risk to
earthquake-induced shallow landslides are:

a. Ifugao g. Aurora
b. Lanao del Sur h. Davao del Sur
c. Sarangani i. Davao Oriental
d. Benguet j. Rizal
e. Mountain province
f. Bukidnon
Risk to Volcanic Eruptions

Since volcanoes are not present in some provinces, these

particular areas have no risk to volcanic eruptions. The top ten
provinces at risk are:

a. Batanes g. Sorsogon
b. Camiguin h. South Cotabato
c. Sulu i. Laguna
d. Biliran j. Camarines Sur
e. Albay
f. Bataan
Risk to Tsunamis

Most of the coastal areas have experienced a tsunami or have a

tsunami hazard potential. The top ten provinces that are risk to
tsunamis are:

a. Sulu g. Siquijor
b. Tawi-tawi h. Surigao del Norte
c. Basilan i. Camiguin
d. Batanes j. Masbate
e. Guimaras
f. Romblon
THANK YOU!