DISASTER READINESS

AND RISK REDUCTION

MR. JERIC R. ARGETE

Learning Objectives
 enumerate natural events that may turn into
disasters and hazards;
 explain the significance of the concept of risk
and its components in preventing and
mitigating disasters;
 identify disasters that have taken in the
Philippines in the past five years and analyze
their causes and impact on the communities
directly affected and the country in general;
Learning Objectives
 recognize the impact of the disaster on one’s
life.
 define vulnerability;
 distinguish between physical, social, economic,
and environmental factors that affect the
vulnerability of exposed elements, and;
 determine how reducing the vulnerability of an
exposed element to a specific hazard may result
in increasing its vulnerability to other hazards.
Disaster is anything that disrupts the
normal functioning of people, events,
and circumstances. Disaster can be
predicted or unpredicted.
 Predicted calamities like typhoons
become a disaster when their effects
could no longer be controlled and disturb
people, damage properties, and
unsettling events. Unpredicted calamities
are more disastrous because people
wouldn’t know when these calamities
would strike a place, a person, or a thing.
 According to World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), 90% of disasters
around the world are believed to be
caused by weather climate, or water-
related hazards.
 The Formula of Disaster
The International Federation of Red Cross
presented the occurrence of disaster in words:

(VULNERABILITY + HAZARDS) = DISASTER

CAPACITY

Disaster is the result of a combination of

vulnerability and hazard. The results of this will
be mitigated by the capacity.
Vulnerability pertains to the
weakened capability of a person or
group of persons to prepare, manage
and recover from the disaster, or
impact of a natural or man-made.
Hazard pertains to any condition or
circumstances that endangers a
person, thing or situation.
Capacity pertains to the ability of
every individual or group or the
community as a whole to mitigate the
effects of hazards or causes of
disaster.
 Risk is the assessed damage to a
person or property as a result of a
hazard. The risk that is caused by
man-made or natural disasters is
called disaster risk. It is the result of
hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
Disaster Risk
It is the chance or likelihood of
suffering harm and loss as a
result of a hazardous event.
Disaster Risk
 It is also defined as the probability
of harmful consequences or
expected losses resulting from
interactions between natural and
human-induced hazards and
vulnerable conditions.
Disaster risk may be simplified using the formula
below:

Hazard + Exposure + Vulnerability = Disaster

Risk

As defined above, disaster risk has a direct

relationship with hazards, exposure, and
vulnerability, with all three combined. This means
that as hazard or exposure or vulnerability
increases, disaster risk also increases
Risk Factors Underlying Disaster
European Organizations identified some underlying
factors that increase disaster and are needed to be
addressed to reduce overall risk. These include:
1. Environmental Problems
a. Declining Ecosystems - environmental degradation
b. Social- “Bahala Na”
c. Economic vulnerabilities – lack of financial
capability
d. Climate Change – the change in the pattern of
weather for an extended period of time. e.g. El Niño
and La Niña
2. Human Factor
a. Unplanned Urbanization
b. Under-development/Poverty
3. Climate Change - can increase disaster risk in
a variety of ways – by altering the frequency and
intensity of hazard events, affecting vulnerability
to hazards, and changing exposure patterns. For
most people, the expression “climate change”
means the alteration of the world’s climate that we
humans are causing such as the burning of fossil
fuels, deforestation, and other practices that
increase the carbon footprint and concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
4. Globalized Economic Development
It results in an increased polarization between the
rich and poor on a global scale. Currently
increasing the exposure of assets in hazard-prone
areas, globalized economic development provides
an opportunity to build resilience if effectively
managed. By participating in risk-sensitive
development strategies such as investing in
protective infrastructure, environmental
management, and upgrading informal
settlements, risk can be reduced.
5. Weak Governance
Weak governance zones are investment
environments in which public sector actors
are unable or unwilling to assume their roles
and responsibilities in protecting rights,
providing basic services and public services.
 Disaster
Pertains to anything that is either
expected or unexpected. Disaster
brings mental and emotional anxiety
and stress that affect any person
including children and adults.
Classifications of Disasters
Disasters can be classified
into three: natural, man-
made, or socio-natural.

1.Natural Disaster – Natural

phenomena that pose threats or
cause negative impacts to
people and property such as
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods,
typhoons, storm surges, etc.
2. Man-made Disasters
include civil conflict, displacement due to
development projects, environmental
degradation, airplane crashes, wars, chemical
contamination, etc.
Subdivided into three categories:
 Technological/Industrial disasters
 Terrorism/Violence
 Complex humanitarian emergencies
 Technological/Industrial disasters -
Unregulated industrialization and
inadequate safety standards increase
the risk of industrial disasters.
EXAMPLES: leaks of hazardous
materials; accidental explosions;
bridge or road collapses, or vehicle
collisions; Power cuts
 Terrorism/Violence - the threat of terrorism
has also increased due to the spread of
technologies involving nuclear, biological,
and chemical agents used to develop
weapons of mass destruction.
EXAMPLES: bombs or explosions; release
of chemical materials; release of biological
agents; release of radioactive agents;
multiple or massive shootings; mutinies
 Complex humanitarian emergencies - the term complex
emergency is usually used to describe the humanitarian
emergency resulting from an international or civil war. In such
situations, large numbers of people are displaced from their
homes due to the lack of personal safety and the disruption of
basic infrastructure including food distribution, water,
electricity, and sanitation, or communities are left stranded and
isolated in their own homes unable to access assistance.
EXAMPLES: conflicts or wars and Genocide the deliberate
killing of a large group of people, especially those of a
particular ethnic group or nation
3. Socio-natural –
flooding and drought
can fall under this
category if these are
due to deforestation.
 Disaster greatly affects lives and properties.
Aside from damaged crops, houses, drainage,
buildings, and others, other unperceived long-term
effects of a disaster are psychological, emotional,
physical, social, economic, biological, political, and
socio-cultural effects.

The different disasters can be categorized as

Geological, Hydrometeorological, Anthropogenic,
and Biological, as presented in Table 1.1.
 Table 1.1. Categories of Disaster
Geological Hydro Anthropogeni Biological
meteorological c
 Earthquak  Typhoons  Hazardous  Insect
e  Tornadoes materials infestation
 Volcanic  Drought  Acid Rain  Epidemic
Eruptions  Thunderstorm  Global  Wildfires
 Tsunami s warming
 Landslide  Storm Surges
 Floods
 Nick and Gary who were neighbors are both
students of Looc National High School. Due to
the forecasted typhoon the night before, some
waited for the announcement of classes
suspension. Unfortunately, there was no
announcement. Nick decided to go to school
bringing his books, notebooks, and laboratory
materials.
 On the other hand, Gary also decided to go to
school bringing not only his books, notebooks, and
laboratory materials, but also a flashlight, whistle, and
some supplies of food and water. Due to bad weather,
the school janitor blocked off the entrances and exits
because the grounds are flooded. So, Nick and Gary
were stranded in a covered court near the school. Both
were trying to call their family, but the signal was
down.
•If you are going to base your
definition of vulnerability on the
given story, how will you define it?
•On the story, who do you think is
more vulnerable? Nick or Gary? Why
do you think so?
• In the story presented about Nick and Gary, what
were the actions taken by one student that made
him less vulnerable to flood? What were the
reasons why the other student became more
vulnerable?
• Could it be possible that both students are exposed
to the same hazard, but they can have different
levels of vulnerability? Explain how.
•Cite your realization/s about the
importance of knowing one’s
capability, strength, and exposure to
hazards.
 I. Psychological Effects of Disaster
Signs and Symptoms
1. Fear - e.g. fear of the dark, of being alone, or of
something that affects them during the disaster.
2. Shock - under this stage, the victim may show
irregularity in breathing, nausea, and confusion.
3. Grief - extreme sadness by crying and sighing
due to the effect of the event.
4. Irritability - a victim of disaster may display a
sudden burst of anger and easily get
II. Emotional Effects of
Disaster
Emotional effects of disaster
may be shown through the
acts of victim/survivors or
the words they utter. Some of
the emotional effects are the
following;
1. Feeling of guilt
2. Feeling of dissatisfaction
3. Feeling of bitterness
III. Physical Effects
Some manifestations:
1. Physical Sickness
2. Change in appetite
3. Poor sleeping
condition
4. Constipation
IV. Social Effects
Social effects of disaster may be
displayed by children or even
adolescents.
1. Loss of interest in the activity
previously enjoyed by the victim or
survivor.
2. Family may be rebuilt
3. Circle of friend will expand
Other social changes
1. People became more religious – 1990
earthquake
2. Socialization - Mt. Pinatubo in
Zambales
3. Bayanihan – Typhoon Yolanda
V. Economic Effects of Disasters
Disaster will generally affect the economy of
the country, especially that of the family.
1. Loss of job of a family member
2. Damaged government structures to be
built again using the country’s fund
3. Forfeiture investment from other countries
4. Decline of the tourism industry
5. Agricultural damage
VI. Biological Effects of Disasters
During and after disasters, a high
incidence of diseases in the community
happens.
1.Infectious diseases
2.Unexpected illnesses
3.Economic growth
4.Human capital
VII. Political Effects of Disasters
Political impacts of disasters are often
determined by pre-disaster context.
1.Political transformation
(appointment of new DRR officers,
new policies and systems at the
national and local level)
VIII. Socio-Cultural Effects of Disasters
Two social behavior of impacted
communities:
1.Anarchy - a state of disorder due to the
absence or non-recognition of authority.
2.Solidarity - unity or agreement of feeling
or action, especially among individuals
with a common interest
 General Effects of Disaster on People
Generally, the effects of a disaster on people are
the following:
1.National economic loss, loss of life, and
livelihood
2.Injury
3.Damage to and destruction of property, crops,
infrastructure, and governmental system
4.Disruption of production, lifestyle, and
essential services
 Coping with the Effects of Disasters
There are many ways to cope with
disasters. These are the following:
1.Take care of yourself.
2.Encourage open communication and
support.
3.Be brave.
4.Be a good listener.
5.Carry on with your routine.
Vulnerability
 the characteristic of the community as
being susceptible or prone to hazards or
disaster Some of the characteristics
affecting vulnerability includes physical,
social, economic, and environmental
factors.
 Classifications of Vulnerabilities
There are different classifications of vulnerabilities. These are
the following:

1.Physical Vulnerability – pertains to the physical aspect of the

community, the people, and the infrastructures.
Physical aspect of the community ­– pertains to the location of the
community (e.g., low-lying areas and mountainous areas)
Physical aspect of the people – pertains to the demographic
profile of the people living in a certain community (e.g., young,
old, sick)
Physical vulnerability of infrastructures – pertains to the type of
houses, building compositions of bridges, and others.
2. Social Vulnerability – the incapacity of the community to
survive the hostile effects of threats of disaster. It includes
aspects related to:
a.Awareness of the people to disaster
b.The existence of an emergency preparedness plan
c. Access to basic social services
d.Customs and traditions
e. Leadership of government officials
f. Optimism in life
 
Example: Even when the weather bureau forecasted the possible
occurrence of storm surge, people refused to leave the locality
because of mistrust of the local government, lack of awareness
about storm surge, and the fear of losing their resources of
livelihood.
3. Economic Vulnerability – it is associated
with the financial status of a person to stay in
a safer place and build a safer home.
 
Example: Poor people are more vulnerable to
the impact of disaster because of their
incapacity to sustain a better place to stay,
live and build a family.
4. Environmental Vulnerability – our
environment and natural resources are
also vulnerable to disasters.
 
Example: Forests are vulnerable to
wildfires brought by some human
negligence or by lighting.
 Vulnerability of Exposed Elements
There are four exposed elements of Vulnerability. These
are the following:

1. Vulnerability of Physical Elements – built in the

environment vulnerable to disaster (e.g., buildings,
houses, roads, and bridges). The physical component
in the community consists of:
1. Natural features of the place and weather
2. Infrastructure
3. People
2. Vulnerability of Social Elements – the overall
aspect of the society which is a combination of
political, cultural, and personal characteristics.
Socio-cultural factors that may affect the
vulnerability to disasters include:
1. The intervention of mass media.
2. Trust to the government.
3. Reliance of Governmental Agencies (Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management –
PDRRMC)
PDRRMC – one of the most active offices
before, during, and after a disaster.

To fully understand the factors affecting the

social vulnerability of a community,
consider the following:
a. Type of community
b. The composition of a community
c. Housing structure
3. Vulnerability of Environmental
Elements – pertains to the physical
aspect of the environment, which may
be at risk to the occurrence of
disasters. The capability of the
environment to reduce the impact of
disasters are reduced by:
1. Poor environmental practices:
a. Illegal Logging
b. Dynamite Fishing
c. Illegal Mining Activities
2. Pollution
a. Water pollution
b. Soil Pollution
3. Lack of urban planning that leads to
the destruction of our seas and
mountains
4. Vulnerability of Economic Elements –
pertain to small, medium, and large enterprises
that provide job and manufactured products. To
understand the concept of vulnerability of
economic elements, we must consider the
question, “Are we financially capable to reduce
the risk of disasters and ultimately cope with its
effects?”
 Every time there is a disaster, the implemented disaster
risk reduction and management plan should always be
referred to.
a. Mitigation-To prevent future emergencies and take
steps to minimize their effects.
b. Preparedness-To take action ahead of time to be
ready for an emergency.
c. Response-To protect people and property in the wake
of an emergency, disaster, or crisis
d. Recovery-To rebuild after a disaster in an effort to
return operations to normal