DRRR | Vulnerability and Exposure

Exposure

• the total value of elements at risk

• humans and their property

• ex: people, structures, infrastructures, economy, services, natural environment

• includes breadth and distance

• influenced by economic needs

Exposure and Disaster

exposure makes the disaster bigger

Exposure and Hazards

exposure can be affected by the duration of the disaster

Elements of Exposure

• physical

• economic

• environmental

• social

Physical Element of Exposure

people, property, and structures are exposed to hazards, located in urbanized areas

Economic Element of Exposure

jobs, livelihood, and sources of incomes are threatened by environmental destruction and damaged buildings and infrastructures

Environmental Element of Exposure

the environment can be affected by hazards, leading to loss of habitats and biodiversity

Social Element of Exposure

psychological well-being, social relationships, and social services (e.g. school and hospital operations) can be affected by the losses and damages sustained

Vulnerability

• the conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental processes or factors that increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards

• amplifies the hazard to become a disaster, meaning a hazard causes a disaster because of this

Elements of Vulnerability

• physical

• political

• economic

• social

• environmental

Physical Element of Vulnerability

• population density level

• age of population

• distribution of population

• remoteness of settlement

• site design

• infrastructure materials

Political Element of Vulnerability

• denial of access to quality education

• employment opportunities

• availability and access to resources

• access to infrastructure

• materials for infrastructure, basic services, and information

Economic Element of Vulnerability

• poverty

• lack of access to land and basic services

• economic status

• business interruption

• job loss

Social Element of Vulnerability

• social well-being

• levels of education

• literacy and training

• cultural beliefs

• traditional values

• morality

• inability of the elderly and disabled

• lack of resilience

• organization/system of good governance

• access to human rights

Environment Element of Vulnerability

• natural resource depletion

• resource degradation

• loss of habitats

Formula for Risk

Hazard x Vulnerability = Risk (while accounting for exposure and social factors)

Factors of Exposure

• severity/magnitude

• intensity/duration

• frequency

• historical and future trends

• impacts

• early warnings

Formula for Disaster

Hazard + Vulnerability = Disaster