Basic Concept

of Disaster and Disaster

Risk
 Lesson W h a t is Disaster a n d
1 Disaster R i s k ?

Philippines: A Country Prone to Natural Disasters

T h e Philippines ha s experienced f r o m a n inexhaustible n u m b e r of

d e a d l y e a r t h q u a k e s , v o l c a n o e r u p ti o n s , a n d o t h e r n a tu ra l disasters. T h i s is
due to its location along the R in g of Fire, a large Pacific O c e a n region w h e r e
m a n y volcanic eruptions a n d e a rthqua k e s occur.
Activity 1: “Count M e In”
Direction: Write five (5) disastrous events in the Philippines in the last five
y e a r s that y o u c o u l d still recall. Wr i t e y o u r a n s w e r o n a s e par ate s h e e t o f
paper.
1. _____________________________________
2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
5. _____________________________________
Activity 1 .1 U n d e r s t a n d i n g Disaster
Instruction s : A n a l y z e the g i v e n i m a g e s
a n d a n s w e r the g i v e n questions below:
1. In t w o to three sentences, describe t h e
given images.

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2. List d o w n the disasters that y o u c a n
identify f r o m t h e i m a g e s .

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 IT’S A DISASTER

D i s a s t e r is " a s u d d e n , c a l a m i t o u s o c c u r r e n c e that c a u s e s g r e a t h a r m , injury,

destruction, a n d devastation t o life a n d property”. It disrupts the usual course of life, causing
both physical a n d emotional distress such as an intense feeling o f h el p l es s n es s a n d
h o p el es s n es s. A p r e c e d i n g definition o f disaster stresses that t w o e l e m e n t s are affected –
life ( w h e t h e r h u m a n or ani mal ) a n d property. T h e effects v ar y – it m a y b e m i n o r d a m a g e
(like b r o k e n w i n d o w s a n d d o o r s ) , m a j o r d a m a g e ( l i k e t o r n r o o f t o p s , c o l l a p s e d w a l l s ) ,
t o t al destruction (like c o m p l e t e l y d es t r o y ed h o u s e s a n d structures r en d er i n g t h e m useless
a n d inhabitable) a n d th e w o r s t scenario, it c a n l ead to death. ( A s i a n Disaster Preparedness
Center, A D P C , 2012)
According to the F o o d and Agriculture Organization ( FA O , 2008), disaster is “a
serious disruption of the functioning of a co mmu n i t y or a society involving widespread
h u m a n , material, econ omic or environmental losses a n d i m p a c t s , w h i c h e x c e e d s t h e ability
o f t h e a ff e c t e d c o m m u n i t y o r s o c i e t y t o co p e using its o w n resources”.
 A n y adverse episode o r p h e n o m e n o n c a n exploit a vulnerability in the affected
popula tion o r c o m m u n i t y to create d a m a g e a n d this a w a re n e s s will f o r m the basis for a n
a de qua te intervention.
Me a nwh ile , the Un ite d Nations International Strategy for Disaster R e d u c t i o n
d e f i n e s d i s a s t e r a s a s e r i o u s d i s r u p t i o n o f t h e f u n c t i o n i n g o f a c o m m u n i t y or a society
involving wid e sp re a d h u m a n , material, e c o n o m i c or e n v i ro n m e n t a l losses a n d impacts,
w h i c h e x c e e d s the ability o f the affected c o m m u n ity or society to cope using its o w n
resources.
D i s a s t e r s a r e o f t e n a re sult o f t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f : t h e e x p o s u r e t o a h a z a r d ; t h e
c o n d i t i o n s o f v u l n e r a b i l i t y t h a t a r e p r e s e n t ; a n d i n s u ff i c i e n t c a p a c i t y o r m e a s u r e s
t o r e d u c e o r c o p e w i t h t h e p o t e n t i a l n e g a t i v e c onseque nc e s.
 Its i m p a c t s m a y in clud e loss o f life, injury, d i s eas e a n d other n eg at i v e effects o n
h u m a n physical, men tal, a n d social well-being, t o g et h er w i t h d a m a g e to properties,
destruction o f assets, loss of services, social a n d e c o n o m i c disruptions, a n d
e n v i r o n m e n t a l degradation.
I m a g e 1. Different kinds of Natural Disasters
Classification of Disasters:

Disasters can be divided into 2 large categories:

A. N atur al Disasters – a natural p h e n o m e n o n is caused b y natural

forces, s uc h as earthquakes, typhoon, volcanic eruptions,
hurricanes, fires, tornados, a n d e xtre m e temperatures. T h e y c a n b e
classified as rapid onset disasters a n d t h o s e w i t h p r o g r e s s i v e onset,
s u c h a s d r o u g h t s that l e a d to famine. These events, usually sudden,
can have tremendous effects.

B . M a n -m a d e - Disasters c a u s e d b y m a n are those in w h i c h m a j o r

direct causes are identifiable intentional or non-intentional h u m a n actions.
 Subdivided into three categories:

1. Technological/industrial disasters - Unregulated industrialization

and inadequate safety standards increase the risk for industrial
disasters.

Example: leaks of hazardous materials; accidental explosions; bridge

or road collapses, or vehicle collisions; Power cuts

2. Te r ror is m/Viole nc e - the threat of terrorism ha s also increased d u e to

the spread of technologies involving nuclear, biological, a nd chemical
agents used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Example : bombs or explosions; release of chemical materials; release of

biological agents; release of radioactive agents; multiple or massive
shootings; mutinies
3. C o m p l e x humanitarian emergencies - the term complex emergency is
usually us e d to describe the humanit arian e m e rge nc y resulting f r o m an
international or civil war. In such situations, large numbers of people are
displaced f r o m their h o m e s d u e to the lack o f pe rs ona l safety a n d the
disruption of basic infrastructure including food distribution, water,
electricity, a nd sanitation, or communities are left stranded a n d isolated in
their o w n hom e s unable to access assistance.

Example: conflicts or wars and Genocide the deliberate killing of a large group of
people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

The damage caused by disaster cannot be measured. It also differs with the kind
of geographical location, climate, earth’s specific characteristics, a nd level
of vulnerability. These determining factors affect generally the
psychological, socio – economic, political, a n d ethnical state of the affected
area.
Risk and Disaster Risk
Risk has various connotations within different disciplines. I n general,
risk is d e f i n e d a s “ t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e p r o b a b i l i t y o f a n e v e n t a n d its
negative consequences” (UNISDR, 2009). The term risk is thus
multidisciplinary a n d is used in a variety of contexts. It is usually
associated w i t h t h e d e g r e e t o w h i c h h u m a n s c a n n o t c o p e ( l a c k o f
c a p a c i t y ) w i t h a situation (e.g. natural hazard).

T h e t e r m disaster risk refers to the potential (not actual a n d realized)

disaster losses, in lives, health status, livelihoods, a ssets, and services w hic h
could occur in a community or society over some specified future time period.
 Disaster risk is the product of the possible d a m a g e caused by a hazard
due to the vulnerability within a community. It should be noted that the effect
of a hazard (of a particular magnitude) w o u l d affect communities differently
(Von Kotze, 1999:35).

It c a n also b e de te rm ine d b y the presence o f three variables: hazards

(natural o r a nthropoge nic ); vulnerability t o a ha z a rd; a n d c o p i n g c a pa c ity
linke d to the reduction, mitigation, a n d resilience to the vulnerability o f a
community.
Activity 1.2 FIX ME!!!
I n s t r u c t i o n : A r r a n g e d t h e g i v e n j u m b l e d letters t o identify t h e correct t e r m i n o l o g y. T h e
definition will h el p y o u to derive the correct a n s w e r. Answering this activity will develop your
visual a n d analysis skills. Write your a n s w e r in y o u r a n s w e r s h e e t .

JUMBLED LETTERS DEFINITION

1. RTAIESSD A sudden calamitous event, bringing great damage, loss, destruction, and
devastation.
2. GRNI FO IEFR A path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent
earthquakes.
3. TALAYMIC An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress.
4. AQRHTEKEAU Shaking of earth caused by waves moving on and below the earth's surface.
5. ICNLOVAC IPREOUTN When lava and gas are discharged from a volcanic vent.
6. CFCPIAI NEAOC Largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions.
7. OOYNHPT Type of tropical cyclone, or severe tropical storm.
8. LTARUNA RTAIESDS A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage
or loss of life.
9. ETUTODSRCIN A sudden or great misfortune or failure.
10. NMA EDMA RESTSAID Caused by man are those in which major direct causes are identifiable intentional or
non-intentional human actions.
Activity 1.3 Understanding Natural a n d M a n -M a d e Disaster
Direction: Identify the given set of images if it is Natural or M a n Made. Put y our a n s w e r o n
the blank spac e b e l o w e a c h picture.
Classifying Disaster
(Natural or Man-Made)

"Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines" by “Military convoy" by chelmonette is

ochacolombia is licensed under CC BY- licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
NC-ND 2.0
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 Classifying Disaster
(Natural or Man-Made)

"File:Ezra Acayan Mayon pic.jpg" by "Toxic Metal Barrel" by azzajess is

Ezra Acayan, licensed under CC BY-SA licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
4.0 ________________________________
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"Motor Vehicle Accident at Clinton and "6.0 M a g n i t u d e Earthquake i n the City
Lafayette Ave" by cisc1970 is licensed of Napa" b y Cal O E S is licensed under
under C C B Y -N C 2.0 CC BY-NC 2.0

_______________________________ _______________________________
Guide Question:
B a s e d o n the presented imag es , h o w will y o u differentiate natural f r o m m a n - m a d e
disasters? E x p l a i n y o u r a n s w e r in 2 -3 sentences. Wr i t e y o u r a n s w e r o n a s ep ar at e
s h e e t o f pap er.
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G i v e n the table, g ive a natural disaster y o u experienced within y o u r locality o r y o u h a d

h e a r d f r o m the n e w s recently. W h a t m a k e s it a natural disaster?
1. G i v e a m a n -m a d e disaster y o u experienced within y o u r locality or y o u h a d heard
f r o m the n e w s recently.

Natural Disaster Man-made Disaster

Activity 1.4 U nde r s t a ndi ng Disaster R i s k
Direction : In this activity, y o u m u s t identify t h e classification of disaster a s well a s the
disaster risk of a gi ven disaster situations. A c c o m p l i s h the table below. Wr i t e yo u r a n s w e r
o n a separate sheet of paper.

Disasters Classification of Disaster Risks (Effects)

Disaster
(Natural or Man-Made)
1. typhoon
2. war conflicts
3. volcanic eruption

4. chemical leakages
5. vehicular accident
6. earthquake
7. drought
8. thunderstorms
9. tuberculosis
10. rainfall-induced
landslide
 Classification of Disaster Risks (Effects)
Disasters
Disaster
(Natural or Man-Made)
11. floods in rivers
and coastal areas
12. avalanche
13. tsunami
14. bomb explosion
15. house

Sto p a n d Reflect
N o w review your previous Activity numbe r 1.3 and 1.4. D o you
think the given ideas/concepts a re clear for y o u to understand
different k in d s of disasters that the c o u n tr y h a s e x p e r ie n c e d
i n c l u d i n g its disaster risks? Agree or Disagree?
Activity 1.5 A m I Re a dy ?
Directions: A n s w e r the given question. Write your answer o n a separate sheet of paper.

D o y o u t h i n k y o u a r e relatively w e l l p r e p a r e d w h e n a d i s ast er m i g h t aff ect y o u r

c o m m u n i t y e i t h e r n a t u r a l o r m a n - m a d e a s w e l l a s t o its e ff e c t s ? L i s t d o w n five (5)
important things that y o u n e e d to prepare in order to lessen the p o s s i b l e d a n g e r t h at y o u
a n d y o u r f a m i l y m i g h t e n c o u n t e r w h e n a d i s ast er strike. Ex p l ai n y o u r a n s w e r s briefly
a n d write it o n y o u r a n s w e r sheet.

1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________