This course focuses on the role of operational local disaster risk reduction and management

council and funds in terms of strengthening disaster management practices and policies.

Furthermore, this course examines different approaches in order to avoid and mitigate impacts of
hazards by applying students’ critical thinking and analysis.
Learning Outcomes
► Identify the process of defining disaster
threats
► Determine the different impacts of
disasters to lives and properties
► Enumerate the process of policy
definition
► Identify important aspects of policy to
disaster management

INTRODUCTION
This module explains the concept of disaster threats, and its
impacts to the community. It also discusses the elements of
national policy and the roles of local authorities in the
monitoring and review process of disaster management.
ACTIVITY

ANSWER THE QUIZ UPLOADED IN THE LMS.

ANALYSIS

Read the article uploaded in the LMS.

Lasco , R.D. (2008). The Role of Local Government Units in Mainstreaming Climate Change
Adaptation in the Philippines.

*Note: In preparation for your thesis for the next upcoming semester, every now and then we will have an article discussion related
to disaster management.
Abstraction

LESSON 1: Disaster Threats

It is important for disaster managers to analyze the effects of
disasters in relation to their own local circumstances.
Through such analysis, it is possible to define, in advance,
many of the requirements which apply to the disaster
management cycle. This is especially valuable for
anticipating action needed for response and recovery.

The General Effects of Disaster

Generally, typical effects of disasters may be:

• Loss of life,
• Injury,
• Damage to and destruction of property,
• Damage to and destruction of subsistence and cash crops,
• Disruption of production,
• Disruption of lifestyle,
• Loss of livelihood,
• Disruption to essential services,
• Damage to national infrastructure and disruption to
governmental systems,
• National economic loss, and
• Sociological and psychological after effects

Process of Defining the Disaster Threat

There can be variations in the process by which disaster
management authorities and associated scientific and technical
agencies define the threat from any particular form of disaster.

Also, the capability to define disaster threats accurately is likely to

vary between different countries. This depends on the standards
of disaster management and other disaster-related activities,
including study and research.

However, a basic theme or pattern comprises the following main

areas of action:

• Identifying the hazards;

• Assessing the vulnerability of settlements, communities, and
assets to relevant hazards; and
• Evaluating the risks.

A hazard can be generally described as a threatening event. It may

take the form of a natural phenomenon, such as a possible
cyclone, or it may be basically artificial, such as the accidental
release of a hazardous substance from an industrial complex.

The process of identifying hazards obviously involves carefully

surveying the country or region concerned. This survey may
require inputs from a variety of specialist agencies and authorities,
including information on past disaster-related events.

Usually, this identification process includes hazard mapping,

which establishes geographically where natural and artificial
hazards may occur. The relationship of these hazards to human
settlements and institutions then provides a valuable indication of
the risks that may be involved.

For the foregoing identification of hazards, it becomes possible to

identify—with reasonable accuracy—those settlements,
communities, and assets that are especially vulnerable to disaster-
caused damage or destruction.
Risk has two dimensions:

a. frequency

b. magnitude/intensity

Evaluating risk is done by relating a natural or artificial hazard to

the primary characteristics (e.g., population distribution and
development aspects) and vulnerability of the area concerned.

This process particularly identifies high-risk areas and is the basis

for producing risk maps. For example, risk mapping of a bushfire-
prone area would indicate the likelihood of fires occurring and the
degree to which those fires would affect communities within the
area. Similarly, for a flood-prone area, risk mapping would show
the likely levels of inundation for various flood intensities.

Use of Disaster Threat Information:

Disaster Threat Information is essential for the following:

• The formulation of disaster plans, especially the measures

within such plans that deal with preparedness, response,
and recovery.
• The formulation of relevant programs for disaster-related
training and public awareness.
• The definition and application of measures that can reduce
vulnerability in specific cases/areas.
• Formulation and use of long-term programs of mitigation
and prevention.
 LESSON 2:

National Disaster Management Policy

Clear Definition of National Policy

Clear definition of national disaster management policy is
essential if a country is to establish and maintain adequate
arrangements to deal with all aspects of its disaster threat. This
applies to all levels of the national structure and organization—
that is, from the national government to the local government
or community level. If such a policy does not exist,
arrangements to deal with disaster will be ill-defined and
inadequate. Consequently, loss of material and human
resources will arise; the nation, as a whole, will suffer.

A strong and clear policy offers most, if not all, of the following
advantages:

• demonstrated lead from government in disaster-related affairs;

• foundation for appropriate legislation and associated
regulations;
• basis for sound organization and clear allocation of
responsibilities;
• overall direction for ensuring optimum use of resources against
a carefully assessed threat; and
• national competence and self-reliance that is likely to engender
optimum international assistance when the need arises.
 Process of Policy Definition:

To define a national disaster management policy, it is necessary

to consider certain main factors or pillars. For most countries,
the following will usually apply:

defining accurately disaster threat

identify the effects caused by the threats

assses resources available

organizational arrangements

define how national disaster management policy

interlock with other aspects
Main Elements of National Policy
In identifying what options are available as elements of national policy, it is useful
to study the disaster management cycle:

• Prevention – Measures aimed at impeding the occurrence of a disaster

and/or preventing such an occurrence having harmful effects on
communities.
- Constructing a dam or levee to control floodwaters is an example of a
preventive measure.
- Controlled burning off in a bushfire prone area prior to the high-risk
season is another example.

• Mitigation – Action taken (usually in the form of specific programs) to

reduce the effects of a disaster on a nation or community.
- For instance, developing and applying building codes can reduce
damage and loss in the event of earthquakes and cyclones. The term
normally implies that while it may be possible to prevent some disaster
effects, other effects will persist and can be modified or reduced if
appropriate action is taken.

• Preparedness – Measures which enable governments, communities, and

individuals to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster situations.
Preparedness measures include formulating viable counter-disaster
plans, maintaining inventories of resources, and training of personnel.
 • Response – Response measures are usually those taken immediately
prior to and following disaster impact. They are directed toward saving
life, protecting property, and dealing with the immediate damage and
other effects caused by the disaster.

• Recovery – The process by which communities and the nation are

assisted in returning to their proper levels of functioning following a
disaster. The recovery process can be very protracted, taking 5–10 years
or even more. Recovery is usually taken as including other aspects such
as restoration and reconstruction.

• Development – The progressive advancement and modernization of

societies, in this case as it interrelates with the effects of disaster and with
disaster management.

A Possible Policy Format

In summarizing what has been said concerning the main elements of national policy, a
possible policy is given on the following page. However, the method by which the policy is
issued is a matter for individual national choice.
For instance, it might be issued by:

government government
decree statement

legislation regulation
APPLICATION
Think of at least 3 problems or issues related to disaster risk reduction in your community and
propose a general policy or program for each of those issues.

Example:
Problem: Local officials do not have proper training in the formulation of Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Plan

Proposed Policy/Program: LDRRM Officials must be given an opportunity for continuous instruction
through seminars, lectures or community engagements to strengthen their knowledge and capacity
as frontliners during disasters.

ASSESSMENT
Answer the quiz uploaded in the LMS.

Give at least 5 responsibilities, powers and/or functions of the NDRRMC according to the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10121.
-end-