Disaster Readiness

and Risk Reduction

BASIC
CHAPTER 1
CONCEPTS
 WHAT IS A DISASTER?
A serious disruption of the functioning of a
community or a society involving widespread
human, material, economic or environmental
losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability
of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources.
-2009 UNISDR Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction
 WHAT IS A DISASTER?
“A serious disruption of the functioning of a
community or a society…”

-irregular occurrences that AFFECT the

FUNCTIONALITY of a population
 WHAT IS A DISASTER?
“…involving widespread human, material,
economic or environmental losses and
impacts…”

-The damage can be quantified and qualified

in many different ways.
 WHAT IS A DISASTER?
“…which exceeds the ability
of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources.”

-The affected area/population should have a

hard time coping up with the damages
caused by the disaster.
 SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Not all natural events can be considered as

hazards.

Not all hazards would end up being disasters.

WHAT ARE DISASTER RISKS?

The potential disaster losses, in lives,

health status, livelihoods, assets and
services, which could occur to a
particular community or a society over
some specified future time period.
DISASTER RISKS EQUATION

DISASTER RISK
=
Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability
DISASTER RISKS EQUATION
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
DISASTERS
• Disasters are inherently unexpected or
come quickly with little or no warning.
• Disasters cannot be managed through
normal means
Often requires immediate and effective
intervention of both NGAs and NGOs.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
DISASTERS
• They know no political boundary.
• They require restructured and new
responding organizations.
• They create new tasks and requires
more people as disaster responders.
• They render inutile routine emergency
response equipment and facilities.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
DISASTERS
• They worsen confusion in
understanding roles of peoples and
organizations
• They expose lack of disaster planning,
response and coordination.
• Inexperienced disaster organizations
often fail to see what their proper roles
are.
 IMPACTS OF DISASTERS
• Deaths
• Destruction or damage to homes
and buildings
• Destruction of crops and decreased
quality or quantity of water
• Medical effects
 IMPACTS OF DISASTERS
• Damage to critical facilities
• Disruption of transportation
• Wider economic impact
• Global environmental change
• Social and political impact
Questions:
1. Can you consider spending to make a school or an office building
earthquake-proof as good investment? Why?
2. What would you consider as the worst impact of disasters? Why?
 Activity No.2
“Disaster and Daily Life” essay not
less than 200 words. Deadline is next
week Tuesday.