DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION

Hazard- It is defined as the source of danger and something that may cause injury or harm. It is also the
uncertain course of events in a country.
Disaster - refers to a sudden calamitous event that brings great damage, loss, destruction and devastation
to life and property.
Strong hazard + increased exposure + increased vulnerability = DISASTER

Classification of Disasters
1. Natural Disasters
It is caused by natural forces, such as earthquakes, typhoon, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, fires,
tornados, and extreme temperatures.

2. Man-Made Disasters
It is caused by man in which major direct causes are identifiable intentional or non-intentional
human actions.
Disaster risk - the probablity that a community’s structure or geographic area is to be damaged or
disrupted by the impact of a particular hazard, on account of its nature, construction and proximity to a
hazardous area.
3 Important Elements:

Factors which Underlie to Disasters

1. CLIMATE CHANGE
- can increase disaster risk in a variety of ways – by altering the frequency and intensity of
hazards events, affecting vulnerability to hazards, and changing exposure patterns.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
- changes to the environment can influence the frequency and intensity of hazards, as well as
our exposure and vulnerability to these hazards.
3. POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
- Impoverished people are more likely to live in hazard exposed areas and are less able to
invest in risk-reducing measures.
4. POORLY PLANNED AND MANAGED URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 -The growing rate of urbanization and the increase in population density (in cities) can lead to
creation of risk, especially when urbanization is rapid, poorly planned and occurring in a
context of widespread poverty.
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.

Effects of Disasters
1. Displaced Population- effect of a disaster that causes a group of people forced to leave their homes.
2. Health Risks- aside from the obvious immediate danger that natural disasters present, the secondary
effect can be just as damaging.
3. Food Scarcity- the aftermath of natural disasters affects the food supplies. Thousands of people around
the world are hungry because of destroyed crops and loss of agricultural supplies.
4. Emotional Aftershocks- collective term used for the condition of people who develop stress reaction
that negatively affect their physical and mental behavior after suffering from a disaster.

6 Perspectives in Analyzing Disaster

1. Physical Perspective- it pertains to the tangible objects or infrastructure , like the availability of fire
exits, the sturdiness of the building, or the presence or absence of objects that can harm you or help you.
2. Psychological Perspective- it includes the state of mental capacity and (are we dealing with babies,
kids, adults, PWD, or special needs?) perception of self (self-assessment of capability to respond to
disaster, fear)
3. Socio-cultural Perspective- it involves people’s beliefs, religion, traditions, social status, and
perceptions within a community with respect to considering their response to disaster.
Ex. religious conflict as a result of sudden displacement of group of people
4. Economic Perspective- it involves income, assets and liabilities, and economic class of an individual or
a community in the society. Disasters affect the economic condition of a community because they reduce
local and international trade.
5. Political Perspective- it involves structure of the government, issues in diplomacy, etc. in dealing with
disasters. Politics can be affected in the time of a disaster.
Ex. Poorly governed societies and weak states are almost certain to exhibit deficiencies in disaster
governance.

6. Biological Perspective- it includes the flora and fauna in environment, health, diseases, etc.
Vulnerability- the susceptibility of an individual or a group of people on the impact of natural hazard.

- is the characteristics and circumstances that make a society susceptible to a hazard

Exposure- degree to which a community is likely to experiment hazard events of different magnitude
Social Vulnerability- inability of people, organizations and societies to withstand adverse impacts to
hazards due to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions and systems of cultural values.
Physical Vulnerability- houses are destroyed during typhoon
Social Vulnerability- leadership qualities

NATURAL HAZARD- a naturally occurring physical phenomena having atmospheric, geologic or

hydrologic origin. Type of hazards that arises from natural processes in the environment.
QUASI-NATURAL HAZARD- type of hazard that arises through interaction of natural processes and
human activities.
TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARD- type of hazards arises directly as a result of human activities

EARTHQUAKE- A vibration on the surface of the Earth as a result of sudden release of energy
due to the movement of plates

Earthquake Hazards refer to earthquake agents which have the potential to cause harm to a vulnerable
targets which can either be humans, animals or even our environment.

GROUND SHAKING - This describes the vibration of the ground where an earthquake occurs which is
usually recorded in terms of intensity.
GROUND RUPTURE- Ground rupture happens on areas where the fault zone moves.
LIQUEFACTION- secondary effect of an earthquake described as collapse of buildings caused by
earthquake vibrating water-saturated fill or unconsolidated soil
Earthquake-induced landslides- Landslides refer to a wide range ground movement such as rock fall
and debris flow.
FIRE- Fires can be a result of a candle or lantern that are tipped off during the earthquake or can also be
because of gas lines that leaked and sparks from broken electric and utility wires.
TSUNAMI- It is the seismic sea wave in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of
water generally in an ocean or a large lake.