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Planetary Health Alliance, 2024
While these are all important to improve disaster management and preparedness, it is also critical to understand the nature of the risks themselves. Natural disasters, or natural hazards, refer to sudden and forceful events triggered by natural forces in the environment, such as storms, floods, drought, wildfires, and heatwaves. The frequency, intensity, and impact of the events have worsened over the years. Globally, double the number of people were affected by natural disasters in the 1990s compared to the 1980s, while economic loss through extreme events rose tenfold within the past four decades. Extreme events like heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods, and tropical storms provide long-term implications for public health, with significant risks and challenges for global societies. While many places on Earth get to experience natural disasters, certain types tend to occur more often or are confined to specific geographic areas.
International Finance Corporation, 2021
This constant exposure has brought grief and hardship to Filipinos for millennia. The Philippines is uniquely susceptible to natural disasters due to its geographical setting and as an archipelago. Located to the west of the Pacific Ocean, the country is the source of the majority of typhoons, and its location at the Pacific Ring of Fire similarly exposes it to a variety of natural calamities, many of which are amplified by climate change. The entire range of hazards includes floods, earthquakes, storm surges, droughts, and volcanic eruptions, to name a few.
World Bank Group, 2021
This inherent vulnerability is further substantiated by additional research from global institutions. The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone nations globally due to its unique geographical location. It ranks as the eighth most affected country by extreme weather events worldwide and the second-highest in Asia. Approximately 60% of the nation's land area and 74% of its population are susceptible to various hazards. The most severe of these include tropical cyclones with strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, storm surges, El Niño-induced droughts, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Typhoons and climate-related events are the most frequently recorded disasters, with an average of 20 typhoons affecting the country annually. Over the past 40 years, the Philippines has also experienced 18 significant earthquakes, the most recent of which occurred in Cotabato and Davao Provinces in 2019. The Greater Metro Manila Area Risk Assessment study predicts that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on the West Valley Fault, referred to as "The Big One," could result in an estimated 48,000 deaths and $48 billion in economic losses, severely disrupting government and business operations as well as essential services.
Gustavo Gonzales, 2024
"The Philippines, with its 7,000 islands and many coastal cities, has always been extremely vulnerable to intense weather events and natural hazards."
World Bank Group, 2021
Since 1990, the country has experienced 565 disasters, resulting in approximately 70,000 fatalities and $23 billion in damages. Apart from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the natural hazards affecting the Philippines are expected to worsen due to climate change. The country's geographical position in the Northwestern Pacific Basin, the most active tropical cyclone region globally, makes it particularly vulnerable to cyclones, with an average of 20 tropical storms entering its area of responsibility each year, about eight of which make landfall. Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013 and was one of the most devastating, claiming 6,000 lives, affecting nine regions, and damaging 1.1 million homes, with total agricultural and infrastructure losses estimated at $802 million. Although not directly related to climate, the Philippines is situated in a region with significant tectonic activity, home to 22 active volcanoes. One example of the danger posed by volcanic activity was the eruption of Mount Mayon in early 2018, which led to the evacuation of as many as 90,000 people.
Okuda & Kawasaki, 2022
In areas with high poverty, people are more likely to live in risky environments, such as under a bridge or in unstable buildings, making them vulnerable to calamities. The economic effects on these communities are amplified by their limited resources, hindering their ability to recover or prepare for future events. The poor often suffer more because they have fewer resources to rebuild their lives after a disaster, leading to both immediate damage and long-term social and economic consequences. Livelihoods are destroyed, job opportunities are lost, and the cost of recovery can push vulnerable communities further into poverty. This is particularly true in rural areas, where agriculture and informal labor are highly susceptible to disaster disruptions. The lack of financial safety nets, insurance, or access to credit leaves the poor in a precarious position, unable to recover or rebuild easily. Disasters also impact social structures, displacing families and overwhelming social services like healthcare, education, and housing. Future generations suffer as children may lose access to quality education due to school destruction or financial strain. Mental well-being is also affected, with increased stress and trauma for those who lose loved ones or homes. Additionally, economic disruptions ripple throughout local economies, affecting businesses, markets, and supply chains, leading to job losses and increased unemployment. This cycle of vulnerability is difficult to break, particularly in struggling regions, as disasters result in financial losses, long-term poverty, economic stagnation, and social disruptions.
UNDRR, 2024
Disaster management is the process of organizing, planning, and carrying out measures to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
World Bank Group, 2021
This includes the assessment of risk, mitigation strategies, preparedness planning, and coordination with various stakeholders. In this way, the Philippines aims at developing a strong disaster management system that would improve its emergency response capabilities and, at the same time, reduce the vulnerabilities that increase the impact of disasters.
Lu et al., 2014, as cited in Ancho et al., 2024
Rescue workers are widely recognized as professionals who not only save lives but also mobilize communities to engage in self-help and mutual support, thereby reducing casualties and property damage during natural disasters or when the environment's sustainability is threatened.
Communication Tools Every Emergency Response Team Needs - NinthBrain, 2024
While working in the field, emergency responders must overcome numerous obstacles. These may include inefficient communication, inadequate knowledge, training, financing, insufficient resources, or a shortage of staff.
Townsend, 2022
Resource management is the process of organizing, planning, and coordination within an organization. The purpose of this system is to ensure that the right resources are available for use and promptly to reduce harm and save lives in the context of a disaster. This includes having a deep understanding of resources that are currently available and appropriately distributing them to achieve the most optimal result. Effective resource management plays an important role in disaster response and recovery by ensuring efficiency in resource allocation. It allows for a clear view of the available resources, making sure that they are allocated appropriately to the right people. By having ease of access to both the work at hand and the resources available, resource management allows the organization to better plan, schedule, and manage the use of these resources, reducing downtime and preventing exhausting resources. This means being able to hastily respond to emergencies while preventing strains that could delay rescue efforts. The importance of resource management becomes evident when considering the difficulties that arise without it. Without accurate data, disaster response teams struggle to assist affected citizens promptly.
Brijesh, 2023
Students define technology as the application of scientific knowledge and creative solutions to create tools, equipment, and systems that aid in problem-solving and the improvement of various parts of life. It encompasses computers, smartphones, and the internet, as well as various technologies and procedures used in everyday life. Technology allows us to communicate, learn, and do activities more effectively. Simply said, technology is a toolbox full of great ideas that improve our lives and connect the world.
Pandey, 2022
This applies to disaster management as well. Evidence shows that each country has alarming concerns about disaster management, especially before, when effective disaster management techniques were almost nonexistent. However, technology has advanced to a point where people are able to develop and implement effective disaster management plans. For instance, by utilizing technology to assist in recognizing disasters, agencies can respond and stop them from materializing, ultimately preventing significant damages. In times of crisis, technology also makes it easier for people to interact, allowing collaboration on solutions for problems related to natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and more. This signifies that science and technology will become increasingly crucial in assisting people in managing disasters.
Ogie et al., 2022
Social media has become an essential tool for disaster risk reduction, encompassing preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. There is an excellent opportunity to use extensive spatio-temporal data that is extremely valuable to disaster managers because of the notable increase in the variety and depth of time-sensitive information produced on social media platforms during emergencies. Communities frequently use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, and Weibo to remain in touch, exchange stories, and obtain essential information and resources to aid in disaster response and recovery during emergencies and disasters.
Krichen et al., 2024
Technologies such as radars, satellite imagery, and remote sensing can be utilized to gauge the extent and severity of the damages done by disasters. For instance, the monitoring of flood levels, the development of wildfires, and the damage caused by tornadoes and hurricanes can be done via satellite imagery. Decisions about which rescue and relief operations to launch first, how much medical assistance and emergency supplies are required, and how to set up disaster response teams can all be made using this information, thus further solidifying their usefulness in assessing damage after natural catastrophes.
How Can Algorithms Improve Natural Disaster Response?, 2023
Algorithms can assist with this process by assessing data from a variety of sources, including satellite photos, social media posts, sensor networks, and crowdsourcing reports. Algorithms, for example, can detect and classify evidence of damage such as collapsed buildings, flooded roadways, and fires.
Xu et al., 2024
Algorithms are essential for natural disaster management, as they enable rapid and efficient coordination during emergencies. The study addresses the overwhelming challenges posed by natural calamities—such as unpredictable conditions, limited resources, and the urgent need for timely rescue operations—by proposing a dynamic algorithm that integrates real-time data to optimize the scheduling and routing of rescue teams. This approach not only ensures effective resource allocation and swift response times but also adapts to rapidly changing disaster scenarios, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of emergency responses. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that incorporating advanced algorithmic solutions can significantly improve rescue operations and potentially save lives during natural disasters.
Lopez, 2024
The effectiveness of such innovations becomes limited when critical communication networks and infrastructure are compromised, as seen in real-world disaster scenarios where connectivity is fragile or entirely severed. This vulnerability was evident during the aftermath of Super Typhoon 'Pepito' (international name 'Man-Yi') in November 2024. The Philippines National Police (PNP) in the Bicol region identified Catanduanes as a primary concern due to significant communication challenges and infrastructure damage. According to PNP-Bicol Director General Andre Dizon, contact with nine municipalities in Catanduanes remained unestablished, hindering the flow of communication. Only Virac and San Andres were reachable at that time, with the latter experiencing additional complications in relief operations due to a fallen tree blocking a road. Furthermore, several police operations in Catanduanes suffered major structural damage, particularly those located in vulnerable town centers, increasing the difficulties in restoring normal operations and assisting in relief efforts.
Keller et al., 2025
In Southern California wildfires, numerous residents received no evacuation warnings, and the results were catastrophic. There have been other deadly fires where communication failures have been witnessed, including the 2017 Tubbs Fire, which took 22 lives in Santa Rosa; the 2018 Camp Fire, which took 85 lives in Paradise; the Woolsey Fire, which broke out simultaneously and took three lives in Malibu; the 2021 Marshall Fire that destroyed over 1,000 homes near Denver in Colorado; and Hawaii's 2023 Lahaina Fire that ravaged the historic town, claiming 102 lives.
Australian Parliament House, 2023
Similarly, in Australia, the emergency responders have also not been immune from communication issues. The Police Federation of Australia has blamed the government for not arming first responders with effective communications equipment, using examples of officers stuck on the wrong radio frequency or in the dead zone where little or no service was available at critical moments.
Challenges of First Responder Communication in Emergencies, 2024
One of the foundations of any successful emergency response operation is effective communication. Clear and uninterrupted communication is not only convenient for first responders, but it is also essential and can make the difference between life and death.
Integration Made Easy, 2023
This process can be both time-consuming and error-prone, severely hindering response efforts. Manually collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data can take hours or even days, depending on the scale of the disaster. Additionally, studies indicate that human error rates in manual data entry can range from 1% to 5%, influenced by factors such as data complexity and the experience of the personnel involved. This delay in processing vital information can exacerbate the disaster's impact, as timely decisions are crucial for effective resource allocation and response.
Volopay, 2019
The manual process is prone to human errors like data corruption, miscommunication, and incomplete reports, which can compromise the accuracy of the information. Studies have shown that even small data errors can have measurable effects on an organization's ability to accurately determine whether it is meeting its operational performance goals. The lack of consistent reporting formats further complicates communication among emergency teams, delaying recovery efforts.
Pavlik, 2023
Generative AI has demonstrated its effectiveness in streamlining intricate tasks like document management and medical data analysis, allowing professionals to prioritize essential, hands-on duties. This capability extends to disaster response, where AI can handle logistical operations, enabling teams to focus on direct coordination and aid efforts, ultimately improving efficiency. Automating the task of writing situational reports during calamities is one such application, as generative AI can efficiently process and generate critical information in real time.
Accenture, 2024
This technology leverages natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and image recognition to autonomously respond to prompts, mimicking human cognition and adapting over time. By generating multi-modal outputs—such as text, images, or audio—based on patterns from vast data sets, generative AI enhances both precision and creativity.
Haseley et al., 2023
The challenges posed by natural disasters, coupled with the inefficiencies of traditional disaster response systems, highlight the need for innovative solutions that leverage technology to streamline communication, resource allocation, and emergency response.
