RISK FACTORS UNDERLYING DISASTERS

Elements of Disaster Risk

1. Exposure – the “elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard
event.
2. Hazard – a potentially dangerous physical occurrence, phenomenon or
human activity that may result in loss of life or injury, property
damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental
degradation.
3. Vulnerability - the condition determined by physical, social, economic
and environmental factors or processes, which increase the
susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards.
- is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has
occurred.
Consider when risk factors underlying disasters are
involved:
1. Severity of exposure - This measure those who experience disaster
first-hand and have the highest risk of developing future mental
problems.
2. Gender and Family - The female genders suffer more adverse
effects. this worsens when children are present at home. Marital
relationships are placed under strain.
3. Age - adults in the range of 40-60 are more stressed after disasters
but in general, children exhibit more stress after disasters than
adults do.
4. Economic status of the country - Evidence indicates that severe
mental problems resulting from disasters are more prevalent in
developing countries like the Philippines.
 FACTORS WHICH UNDERLIE DISASTERS
A. CLIMATE CHANGE – refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and
weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through
variations in the solar cycle
example: Global warming
-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.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION – changes to the environment can
influence the frequency and intensity of hazards, as well as exposure
and vulnerability to these hazards.
Example: Deforestation that can lead to a landslide

C. GLOBALIZED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – it results in an increased

polarization between the rich and poor on a global scale.
Example: effects in a developing country

D. POVERTY AND INEQUALITY – Impoverished people are more likely to

live in hazardous areas and less able to invest–reducing measures.
Example: garbage slide that killed over 200 people in an informal
settlement in manila

E. POORLY PLANNED AND MANAGED URBAN DEVELOPMENT – lack of

adequate infrastructure and services, unsafe housing, and inadequate
and poor health services can turn natural hazards into a disaster.
Example: fragmented responsibilities for drought risk management
F. WEAK GOVERNANCE- 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, and ensuring that public sector management is efficient and
effective. (Fragmented responsibilities)

G. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION – the Philippines is one of the most

vulnerable countries in the world to natural disasters.
Example: cities located in low-attitude estuaries such as Marikina city