Understanding the

Nature of Hazards
and Disasters

JOAN C. SALCEDO
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology –
Department of Science and Technology
PHIVOLCS-DOST
Learning outcomes:
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. explain the concept of hazards;
2. differentiate natural from human-made hazards;
3. identify the different natural and human-made
hazards;
4. explain how and when an event becomes a
disaster; and
5. identify and explain the 4 components of
disaster management.
Hazard vs. Exposure
(Elements-at-Risk)

Drawing after Harris (1994)

HAZARD
- a dangerous phenomena, substance,
human activity or condition that MAY
CAUSE:
•loss of life
•injury or other health impacts
•property damage
•loss of livelihood and services
•social and economic disruption
•environmental damage
 Types of Hazards
Natural Human-made
•
• Hydrometeorological examples:
-chemical/oil spills
-typhoons, floods, landslides -toxic waste contamination

• Geological -pollution
-fire
-earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
tsunami, landslide
• Health-related
-epidemic: cholera outbreak,
SARS, COVID-19
NATURAL HAZARDS
- naturally occurring phenomena which
are potential dangers to life and property

- cannot be prevented from happening, but

their occurrence can be “anticipated” or the
severity of possible impacts can be “predicted”

- adverse impacts can be avoided,

prevented and mitigated
The Philippines is prone to many
natural hazards due to its geologic
and geographic setting
ELEMENTS-AT-RISK

People, properties, services,

livelihood and the environment
on which they depend exposed
to hazards.
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.
DISASTER RISK
potential disaster losses in
lives, health status, livelihood,
assets and services, which could
occur to a particular community or
a society over some specified
future time period
VULNERABILITY
- the characteristics and circumstances of
a community, system, or asset that make it
susceptible to the damaging effects of a
hazard.
• physical
• social
• economic
• environmental
• poor design and construction of buildings
• inadequate protection of assets
• lack of public information and awareness
• limited official recognition of risks and preparedness
measures
• disregard for wise environmental management
CAPACITY
- combination of all strengths and
resources available within a community
that can reduce the level of risk or effects
of a disaster.
• infrastructures and physical means
• institutions
• societal coping abilities
• human knowledge, skills and collective
attributes
• social relationships
• leadership and management
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
concept and practice of reducing disaster risks
through systematic efforts to analyze and
manage the causal factors of disasters
-reduced exposures to hazards
-lessened vulnerability of people and property
-wise management of land and the environment
-improved preparedness for adverse events
DISASTER RESILIENCE

The ability of a system, community or

society exposed to hazards to resist,
absorb, accommodate and recover from
the effects of a hazard in a timely and
efficient manner, including through the
preservation and restoration of its essential
basic structures and functions.
DISASTER LOSSES OR
IMPACTS
Losses in lives, health status,
livelihood, assets and services,
which have occurred to a
particular community or a
society over a time period
caused by disaster.
 Disaster Losses
• Life loss or Injury
• Displacement of people
• Damage to buildings,
infrastructures, properties, • Loss of
equipment business or
revenues from
• Loss of lifelines – water, business
energy/electricity, communication, interruption
transport systems (roads, bridges,
rail, seaport, airport) • Disruption of
economic
• Damage to or interruption of food development
supply
• Loss of public and other critical
services
 THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER
MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
NDRRMC

Chairperson
Secretary, Department of National Defense

Vice Chairperson for Vice Chairperson for

Vice Chairperson for Vice Chairperson for
Disaster Prevention and Disaster Rehabilitation
Disaster Preparedness Disaster Response
Mitigation and Recovery

DILG DSWD DOST NEDA

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
- knowledge and capacities developed by:
• governments
• professional response and recovery organizations
• communities and individuals
to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from,
the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazards events
or conditions.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

aim: build the capacities needed to efficiently manage

all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions
from response to sustained recovery.
• contingency planning
• stockpiling of equipment and supplies
• development of arrangements for coordination,
evacuation and public information
• training and field exercises
DISASTER PREVENTION
- outright avoidance of adverse impacts of
hazards and related disasters.
•action taken in advance
•construction of dams or embankments
that eliminate flood risks
•landuse regulations that do not permit
any settlement in high-risk zones
•seismic engineering designs
DISASTER MITIGATION
- lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts
of hazards and related disasters.
• engineering techniques
• hazard-resistant construction
• improved environmental policies
• public awareness

• MITIGATION - structural and non-

structural measures aimed at minimizing
the impact of disasters.
DISASTER RESPONSE
- provision of emergency services and public
assistance during or immediately after a
disaster in order to:
• save lives
• reduce health impacts
• ensure public safety
• meet the basic subsistence needs of the
people affected
DISASTER REHABILITATION
AND RECOVERY
Measures taken to restore affected communities/areas to
their proper or normal level of functioning or actual
condition prior to the occurrence of the disaster or
calamity

SHORT TERM LONG TERM

• Restoring necessary lifeline • Restoring economic
systems (power, activity
communication, water &
sewage, transportation, etc.) • Rebuilding community
facilities and housing
• Providing for basic human
needs (food, clothing, shelter)
• monitoring law and order
 hazard

Drawing after Harris (1994)

=>?
hazard

Elements-at-risk
=>? 25
Learning Activity/Evaluation:
Read again the definitions of HAZARD and
DISASTER and illustrate how a hazard becomes a
disaster.
You may write brief explanation or use drawing
or photos to illustrate the difference.
Thank you…