Disaster Readiness

and Risk Reduction

COURSE MATERIAL NO. 1

2nd Term, AY 2022-2023 DRRR Page 1 of 17

 WHAT WILL
YOU LEARN?

This module has been designed

to help you:

• define and identify

hazard and disaster
• differentiate the risk
factors underlying
disasters
• explain the impact of
various hazards on
different exposed
elements.

BASIC CONCEPT
OF HAZARD
AND DISASTER

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 WHAT’S INSIDE
THIS MODULE?

HAZARD ¨ Hazard
¨ Disaster
Major Categories of Disaster
Effects of Disaster
A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity ¨ Disaster Risk Management
Disaster Management Cycle
or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other
health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods
and services, social and economic disruption, or
environmental damage. UNISDR (2009) (adapted by
Philippines DRR Law, 2010)

A hazard is a source or a situation with the potential

for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health,
damage to property, damage to the environment, or a
combination of these.

Hazards at work may include noisy machinery, a

moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at
heights, a repetitive job, or inappropriate behavior
that adversely affects a worker’s safety and health.

What is the difference

between hazard and
disaster?

What define the two main

categories of hazards and
the impact of hazards common
in their environment?

What are the risk factors

underlying disasters the
effects of disasters on one’s
life?

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 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.
UNISDR (2009) (adapted by Philippines DRR Law,
2010)

Disasters are often described as a result of the

combination of: the exposure to a hazard; the
conditions of vulnerability that are present; and
insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope
with the potential negative consequences. Disaster
impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and
other negative effects on human physical, mental and
social well- being, together with damage to property,
destruction of assets, loss of services, social and
economic disruption and environmental degradation.

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 MAJOR KEY
POINT

CATEGORIES Risk - interaction between exposure

to natural hazards including the
adverse effects of climate changes
and the vulnerability of societies.

OF DISASTER (World Risk Report)

• Natural Hazard
- are naturally occurring physical phenomena
caused either by rapid or slow onset events
which can be geophysical (earthquakes,
landslides, tsunamis and volcanic activity),
hydrological (avalanches and floods),
climatological (extreme temperatures, drought
and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and
storms/wave surges) or biological (disease
epidemics and insect/animal plagues).

Types of Natural Hazard

a. Biological Hazard (“bios” - life)
- process or phenomenon of organic
origin or conveyed by biological vectors/
agents, including exposure to pathogenic
micro- organisms, toxins and bioactive
substances

Sample Responses: Natural, usually from

living sources
Example: Ebola Virus, flu virus, rabies

b. Geological Hazard (“ge” - Earth)

- geological process or phenomenon

Sample Responses: Natural process,

originates from the solid earth- geosphere
Example: Ballistic projectiles (Rocks from
an erupting volcano), ground shaking,
landslide, lava flow, liquefaction, tsunami

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 c. Hydrometeoro-logical Hazard (“hydor” -
water) (“meteoros” - sky)
- Process or phenomenon of atmospheric,
hydrological or oceanographic nature

Sample Responses: Natural process,

originates from the solid earth- geosphere
Example: Tornado, flood, typhoon, forest
fire, tsunami

• Man-made and Technological Hazard

- a hazard originating from technological or
industrial conditions, including accidents,
dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures,
or specific human activities.
- Technological or man-made hazards (complex
emergencies/conflicts, famine, displaced
populations, industrial accidents and transport
accidents) are events that are caused by humans
and occur in or close to human settlements. This
can include environmental degradation,
pollution and accidents. Technological or man-
made hazards (complex emergencies/conflicts,
famine, displaced populations, industrial
accidents and transport accidents)

Sample Responses: Man-made

Example: Oil and chemical spill, forest fire,
industrial pollution

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 EFFECTS OF
DISASTER
In a disaster, you face the danger of death or physical
injury. You may also lose your home, possessions,
and community. Such stressors place you at risk for
emotional and physical health problems. Stress
reactions after a disaster look very much like
the common reactions seen after any type of trauma.
Disasters can cause a full range of mental and
physical reactions. You may also react to problems
that occur after the event, as well as to triggers or
reminders of the trauma.

1. Danger of death
2. Physical injury
3. Emotional and mental problems
4. Physical health problems
5. Damaged natural environment
6. Economic environment issue
7. Disruption and loss built environment

The amount of exposure to the disaster is highly

related to risk of future mental problems. At highest
risk are those that go through the disaster themselves.
Next are those in close contact with victims. At lower
risk of lasting impact are those who only had indirect
exposure, such as news of the severe damage. Injury
and life threat are the factors that lead most often to
mental health problems. Studies have looked at severe
natural disasters, the findings show that at least half
of these survivors suffer from distress or mental
health problems that need clinical care.

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 LEARNING
____ACTIVITY

Answer the following questions below in 2-3

sentences.

1. What is Hazard?
2. What is Disaster?
3. Differentiate Hazard and Disaster
4. Will a hazard always cause a disaster?
5. List at least three (3) natural disaster occurred
in the Philippines

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 DISASTER RISK BRIEFER

MANAGEMENT Disasters are often described as a

result of the combination of:
I. The exposure to a
In enhancing poverty alleviation through disaster hazard;
reduction II. The conditions of
vulnerability that are
The Philippines by virtue of its geographic circumstances present, and;
is highly prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, III. Insufficient capacity or
volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones and floods, making it measures to reduce or
one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. This cope with the potential
report seeks to document the impacts of natural disasters negative consequences.
on the social and economic development of the
Philippines, assess the country's current capacity to reduce
and manage disaster risk and identify options for more
effective management of that risk.

The Philippine institutional arrangements and disaster

management systems tend to rely on a response, or
reactive approach, in contrast to a more effective proactive
approach, in which disasters are avoided, by appropriate
land-use planning, construction and other pre-event
measures which avoid the creation of disaster-prone
conditions. To evolve to a more proactive role, it is
important that a national framework for comprehensive
disaster risk management be prepared and implemented.
The framework should incorporate the essential steps of
integrated risk management, which include risk
identification, risk reduction, and risk sharing/financing.

The study identified some specific areas under these key

themes that would need to be addressed to improve the
current system, discussed through the study. The study
also found that currently, the Government and individual
households bear the majority of costs caused by natural
disasters.

More effective options for financing disaster risk, and

relieving the burden of disasters from the public sector
should be explored, including the idea of a catastrophe
insurance pool, and/or contingent credit facilities. Also
found was that, despite the high hazard risk in the
Philippines, the insurance coverage for residential
dwellings' catastrophes is almost non-existent.

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 It is stipulated the Bank should examine the ongoing
portfolio to identify how its projects can support the goal
of disaster risk reduction. In addition, the Bank should
consider more direct support to the development of an
integrated disaster management risk approach, through
the provision of technical assistance and lending.

Reducing Vulnerability

The Philippines is one of the most natural hazard-prone

countries in the world. The social and economic cost of
natural disasters in the country is increasing due to
population growth, change in land-use patterns,
migration, unplanned urbanization, environmental
degradation and global climate change. Reducing the risk
of disasters will be key to achieving the development goals
in the Philippines. The World Bank with assistance from
the Philippines Government conducted an informal study
on natural disaster risk management in the Philippines.

The objectives of the first study were to document the

impacts of natural disasters on social and economic
development of the Philippines, assess the country's
current capacity to reduce and manage disaster risk, and
identify options for more effective management of that
risk. This follow-on study is intended to support the first
study and examine in more detail some of the specific
areas under the above themes and provide directions for
necessary actions.

This paper contains the following headings: introduction,

overview of natural disasters and capacity of disaster
management in the Philippines, study on floods, sediment
and typhoon disaster, study on earthquake disaster; study
on volcanic disaster, direction for improving disaster
management data, hazard maps, and risk models,
assessment of available basic data for disaster
management activities, survey on disaster risk
management in the disaster coordinating councils, and
summary of findings and recommendations.

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 THE DISASTER BRIEFER

MANAGEMENT Disaster Risk factors are

variables that either aggravate
or mitigate the effects of
hazards, affecting the degree or

CYCLE scope of a disaster.

1. Physical factors would

pertain to tangible
objects or
Disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid, the potential infrastructure, like the
availability of fire exits,
losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance
or the sturdiness of the
to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery. building, or the
The Disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process presence or absence of
by which governments, businesses, and civil society plan for objects that can harm
and reduce the impact of disasters, react during and you or help you, etc.
immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover after 2. Psychological factors
a disaster has occurred. include state of mental
capacity and health
(e.g. are we dealing
Appropriate actions at all points in the cycle lead to greater with babies? Kids?
preparedness, better warnings, reduced vulnerability, or the Adults? People with
prevention of disasters during the next iteration of the cycle. special needs?),
perception of self (e.g.
self-assessment of
The complete disaster management cycle includes the shaping capability to respond to
of public policies and plans that either modify the causes of disasters, fear), etc.
disasters or mitigate their effects on people, property, and 3. Socio-cultural factors
infrastructure. include religion, social
status, traditions,
• Mitigation (Minimizing the effects of disaster) perception by society,
- Mitigation activities actually eliminate or reduce the etc.
probability of disaster occurrence, or reduce the effects of 4. Economic factors
include assets and
unavoidable disasters. Mitigation measures include
liabilities, income,
building codes; vulnerability analyses updates; zoning economic class, etc.
and land use management; building use regulations and 5. Political factors include
safety codes; preventive health care; and public government structure,
education. diplomatic issues, etc.
6. Biological factors
- Mitigation will depend on the incorporation of include flora and fauna
appropriate measures in national and regional in environment, health,
diseases, etc.
development planning. Its effectiveness will also depend
on the availability of information on hazards, emergency
risks, and the countermeasures to be taken. The
mitigation phase, and indeed the whole disaster
management cycle, includes the shaping of public
policies and plans that either modify the causes of
disasters or mitigate their effects on people, property,
and infrastructure.

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 Examples: building codes and zoning; vulnerability
analyses; public education.

• Preparedness – (Planning how to respond)

- The goal of emergency preparedness programs is
to achieve a satisfactory level of readiness to
respond to any emergency situation through
programs that strengthen the technical and
managerial capacity of governments, organizations,
and communities. These measures can be described
as logistical readiness to deal with disasters and can
be enhanced by having response mechanisms and
procedures, rehearsals, developing long-term and
short-term strategies, public education and building
early warning systems. Preparedness can also take
the form of ensuring that strategic reserves of food,
equipment, water, medicines, and other essentials
are maintained in cases of national or local
catastrophes.

During the preparedness phase, governments,

organizations, and individuals develop plans to
save lives, minimize disaster damage, and enhance
disaster response operations. Preparedness
measures include preparedness plans; emergency
exercises/training; warning systems; emergency
communications systems; evacuations plans and
training; resource inventories; emergency
personnel/contact lists; mutual aid agreements; and
public information/education. As with mitigations
efforts, preparedness actions depend on the
incorporation of appropriate measures in national
and regional development plans. In addition, their
effectiveness depends on the availability of
information on hazards, emergency risks and the
countermeasures to be taken, and on the degree to
which government agencies, non-governmental
organizations and the general public are able to
make use of this information.

Examples: preparedness plans; emergency

exercises/training; warning systems.

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 • Response (Efforts to minimize the hazards created
by a disaster)
- The aim of emergency response is to provide
immediate assistance to maintain life, improve
health and support the morale of the affected
population. Such assistance may range from
providing specific but limited aid, such as assisting
refugees with transport, temporary shelter, and
food, to establishing semi-permanent settlement in
camps and other locations. It also may involve
initial repairs to damaged infrastructure. The focus
in the response phase is on meeting the basic needs
of the people until more permanent and sustainable
solutions can be found. Humanitarian organizations
are often strongly present in this phase of the
disaster management cycle.

Examples: search and rescue; emergency relief .

• Recovery (Returning the community to normal)

- As the emergency is brought under control, the
affected population is capable of undertaking a
growing number of activities aimed at restoring
their lives and the infrastructure that supports
them. There is no distinct point at which immediate
relief changes into recovery and then into long-term
sustainable development. There will be many
opportunities during the recovery period to
enhance prevention and increase preparedness,
thus reducing vulnerability. Ideally, there should be
a smooth transition from recovery to on-going
development.

Recovery activities continue until all systems return

to normal or better. Recovery measures, both short
and long term, include returning vital life-support
systems to minimum operating standards;
temporary housing; public information; health and § Hazard
safety education; reconstruction; counseling § Disaster
programs; and economic impact studies. § Natural hazard
Information resources and services include data § Man-made Hazard
collection related to rebuilding, and documentation § Technological Hazard
§ Biological Hazard
of lessons learned.
§ Geological Hazard
§ Hydrometeorological Hazard
Examples: temporary housing; grants; medical care § Risk
§ Disaster Risk Management

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 LESSON SUMMARY

What is the difference between hazard and disaster?

Hazard – A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human

activity, or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or
other health impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption,
or environmental damage.
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.

What define the two main categories of hazards and the

impact of hazards common in their environment?

Natural Hazard – are naturally occurring physical

phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events
which can be geophysical (earthquakes, landslides,
tsunamis, and volcanic activity), hydrological
(avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme
temperatures, drought and wildfires), meteorological
(cyclones and storms/wave surges) or biological
(disease epidemics and insect/animal plagues).
Technological or man-made hazards (complex
emergencies/conflicts, famine, displaced populations,
industrial accidents and transport accidents) are events
that are caused by humans and occur in or close to
human settlements. This can include environmental
degradation, pollution and accidents. Technological or
man-made hazards (complex emergencies/conflicts,
famine, displaced populations, industrial accidents and
transport accidents)

Man-made and Technological hazard - A hazard

originating from technological or industrial conditions,
including accidents, dangerous procedures,
infrastructure failures, or specific human activities.
Examples of technological hazards include industrial
pollution, nuclear radiation, toxic wastes, dam failures,
transport accidents, factory explosions, fires, and
chemical spills. Technological hazards also may arise
directly as a result of the impacts of a natural hazard
event.

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 What are the risk factors underlying disasters the
effects of disasters on one’s life?

Underlying disaster risk factors include poverty and

inequality, climate change and variability, unplanned
and rapid urbanization and the lack of disaster risk
considerations in land management and environmental
and natural resource management, as well as
compounding factors such as demographic change, non-
disaster risk-informed policies, the lack of regulations
and incentives for private disaster risk reduction
investment, complex supply chains, the limited
availability of technology, unsustainable uses of natural
resources, declining ecosystems, pandemics and
epidemics.

LEARNING
____OUTPUT

Create your own poster or infographic explaining the

risk and preventive measures to reduce the risk of the
following:
1. Personal
2. Family
3. Community

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 REFERENCES

TEXTBOOKS
Ø Licuanan, Ph.D, Patricia, B. (2016). Disaster Readiness
and Risk Reduction for Senior High School. Commission
on Higher Education (CHED).

ONLINE RESOURCES
Ø https://www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/
Ø https://www.ifrc.org/
Ø https://www.va.gov/
Ø https://www.undrr.org/terminology/disaster
Ø https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/
Ø https://www.gdrc.org/uem/disasters/index.html

CONTRIBUTOR
David Kelvin M. Banaag III

This course material is made possible through the collaboration of the

NU MOA Senior High School Faculty, AY 2021-2022.

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