Lesson 2: Risk Factors Underlying Disasters

Risk Factor

are characteristics, conditions, behaviors, or exposures that increase the likelihood of a particular outcome, usually a disease, injury, or other adverse event.

Risk Factors

are processes or conditions, often development-related, that influence the level of disaster risk by increasing levels of exposure and vulnerability or reducing capacity.

Risk Factor Examples:

heart disease from: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, family history

Disaster Risk Elements

Exposure, Hazard, and Vulnerability

Exposure

the “elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event”

Hazard

a potentially dangerous physical occurrence, phenomenon or human activity that may result in loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.

Vulnerability

the condition determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazard (food and agriculture organization of the united nation, FAO 2008)

The following are also taken into consideration when risk factors underlying disaster are involved:

Severity of Exposure, Gender and Family, Age, Economic Status of Country,

Severity of Exposure

measures those who experience disaster first-hand which has the higher risk of developing future mental problems, followed by those in contact with the victims such as rescue workers and health care practitioners and the lowest risk are those most distant like those who have awareness of the disaster only through news

Gender and Family

the female gender suffers more adverse effects. This worsens when children are present at home. Marital relationships are placed under strain.

Age

adults: 40-60 are more stressed after disasters but in general, children exhibit more stress after disaster than adults do.

Economic Status of the country

severe mental problems resulting from disasters are more prevalent in developing countries like PH. Disasters ten to have more adverse effects in DC than do man-cause disasters in developed countries.

Factors which underlie disasters:

Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Globalized Economic Development, Poverty and Inequality, Weak Governance, Poorly planned and Managed Urban Development

Climate Change

can increase disaster risk in a variety ways by altering the frequency and intensity of hazard events. (burning fossil fuels, deforestation,)

Environmental Degradation

changes to the environment can influence the frequency and intensity of hazards. Deforestation

Globalized Economic Development

results in an increased polarization between the rich and the poor of a global scale.

Poverty and Inequality

impoverished people are more likely to live in a hazard-exposed areas and are less to be able to invest in risk-reducing measures.

Weak Governance

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Disasters from Different Perspective

Physical Perspective, Psychological Perspective, Socio-cultural Perspective, and Political Perspective

The Human Effect of Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Displaced Populations, Health Risks, Food Scarcity,

Vulnerable Sectors

Most Vulnerable Sectors, Less Vulnerable Sectors, Not Vulnerable,

Most Vulnerable Sectors

composed of farmers, the urban poor, laborers, indigenous people, PWDs, women and children. Also called the abused sector and at the lowest level of society.

Less Vulnerable

c-members whose capacities start from their own ability to acquire material resources, skills, trainings, and position in society. (professionals, small entrepreneurs, ) role": extend assistance and support to the most vulnerable sectors

Not Vulnerable Sectors

having a high position in society. Do advocacy and charity for the benefit of the most vulnerable and less vulnerable sectors during and after the disasters.

Categories of Vulnerabilities

Physical/Material Vulnerability, Social/Organizational Vulnerability,

Physical Vulnerability

exposure of people, buildings, infra, or other physical assets to harm during disasters or emergencies.

Social Vulnerability

weakness or lack of support systems, structures, or organizations that help protect a community during disasters or crises.