Disaster Readiness

and Risk Reduction

Chapter 1
Basic Concept of Disaster
and Disaster Risk
Learning Objectives
To describe how hazard becomes a
disaster
To differentiate hazard, vulnerability,
exposure, disaster, and disaster risk
To analyze the impacts of disasters
To list ways to reduce the impact of
disasters
Section 1.1
Concept of Disaster
The Occurrence of a Disaster

The occurrence of a disaster depends on the

interplay between a natural phenomenon or event
(that can turn into a hazard) and the vulnerability
of populations exposed (exposure and
vulnerability).
When Does a Natural Event
Become a Hazard?

 Natural events do not automatically become hazards,

much less cause disasters.

 Under what circumstances then do natural

phenomena can be considered hazards? Natural
phenomena can be considered hazards when the
threat of damage, injury, and even death exists.
Activity 1

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students discover

various natural phenomena and when these can be
considered hazards.
When Does a Hazard
Become a Disaster?

 A disaster happens when the probable destructive

agent, known as the hazard, hits a vulnerable
populated area.

 Therefore, a natural event like a volcanic eruption or

tsunami becomes a disaster only if it hits vulnerable
populations and properties.
The Relationship between Hazard,
Disaster, and Vulnerability
Activity 2

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students review

disaster concepts and distinguish between the various
types of hazards.
Section Assessment
1. Name three natural phenomena that your
community considers as hazards. Explain why they
are considered as hazards.
2. Explain what is meant by “Buildings kill people, not
earthquakes”.
3. Is the large magnitude of a natural hazard a
guarantee for a disaster? Why or why not?
4. Explain how a seemingly harmless normal river
situated in the middle of a rapidly developing city
may cause a disaster.
Section 1.2
Disaster Risk
Recognizing the Differences
of Disasters

No two disasters are alike. And although some are

definitely similar, appreciating their differences in
terms of their nature and magnitude of triggering
hazards, exposed elements at risk, and
vulnerabilities will help us deal with potential
disasters.
Factors That Determine the
Magnitude of Disaster

1. The severity of the natural event

2. The quantity of exposure of the elements at risk which

includes lives and properties

3. Vulnerability level or quality of exposure

The Elements of Risk

 Thus, Disaster Risk can be expressed as a function of

hazard, exposure, and vulnerability

or

Disaster Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability

Disaster Risk Reduction through
Reduction of Exposure and
Vulnerability
Activity 3

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students formulate

a qualitative risk map from analysis of hazard,
exposure, and vulnerability.
Section Assessment
1. What are the elements of disaster risk? Explain the
significance of each element of disaster risk in
determining the odds of a disaster happening and
its impacts.
2. What advantages do qualitative determination
disaster risk and its elements have over quantitative
estimates of these?
3. How would people, the business sector, and
government institutions benefit from measuring the
relative level of disaster risk?
4. Given that the occurrence of potentially hazardous
natural phenomena cannot be prevented, discuss in
terms of the elements of disaster risk ways by which
disasters and disaster risk can be minimized.
Section 1.3
Nature and Effects of Disasters
It Pays to Be Aware

Being aware of the nature of hazards and what

these can do to people and other elements at risk
is the first step in every effort to minimize the
effects of disasters.
Characteristics of Disasters
• Disasters are inherently unexpected or come
quickly with little or no warning, resulting in,
widespread death, injury, and property damage.

• Disasters cannot be managed through normal

means, thus, they often require immediate and
effective intervention of both national
government agencies (NGAs) and non-
government organizations (NGOs) to help meet
the needs of the victims.
Characteristics of Disasters
• They know no political boundary.
• They require restructured and new responding
organizations.
• They create new tasks and requires more
people as disaster responders.
• They render inutile routine emergency response
equipment and facilities.
• They worsen confusion in understanding roles
of peoples and organizations
• They expose lack of disaster planning,
response and coordination. Inexperienced
disaster organizations often fail to see what
their proper roles are.
Impacts of Disasters
• Deaths
• Destruction or damage to homes and buildings
• Destruction of crops and decreased quality or
quantity of water
• Medical effects
• Damage to critical facilities
• Disruption of transportation
• Wider economic impact
• Global environmental change
• Social and political impact
Activity 4

OBJECTIVE: This activity will let the students analyze

the human and economic impacts of recent notable
disasters and the effects of these impacts to the
economic and social development of a country.
Section Assessment
1. Do more unpredictable natural hazards cause more
damage and casualties? Why or why not?
2. What would you consider as the worst impact of
disasters? Why?
3. Can you consider spending to make a school or an
office building earthquake-proof as good
investment? Why?
4. Assuming that a country like the Philippines can
afford, what portion of its annual budget should it
spend for disaster-related programs? How justified
is this figure?
5. What would you consider a better policy, focusing
on preparedness and other pre-disaster programs or
on post-disaster-related concerns (relief, rescue,
and rehabilitation)? Explain your answer.