disaster readiness and risk reduction

hazard

is a threat or harm that has the potential to cause damage

• geophysical (natural)

• biological (man-made)

two types of hazard

natural hazard (geophysical)

• occurs when an extreme natural event is destructive to human life and property

• this event could interfere with activities in a minor or completely disrupt activities

• volcanic eruption

• earthquake

• typhoon

• hurricanes

• tornados

• extreme temperature

give some examples of geophysical hazard

man-made hazard

• are caused by human activities

• this type of hazard can often be prevented

• disease

• infection

• bomb explosion

• leak of hazardous materials

• bridge / road collapses

• vehicle collisions

• terrorism

• war

give some examples of biological hazard

disaster

• a sudden calamitous occurrence that causes great harm, injury, destruction, and devastation to life and property

• it disrupts the usual course of life causing both physical and emotional distress such as intense feeling of helplessness and hopelessness

• are emergencies that cannot be handled by those affected without outside assistance

• a serious disruption of the functioning community or society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental impact, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources

• the people

• the property

two elements affected by disaster

asian disaster preparedness center 2012 (ADPC)

according to them there are two elements affected by disaster

the people

there is a threat to life, injury, diseases, emotional and mental stability and in worst cases, death

the property

uncountable damage to property, loss of assets, social and economic disruptions, and environmental destructions

natural made disasters

is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the earth

• floods

• hurricanes

• tornadoes

• volcanic eruptions

• earthquakes

• tsunamis

• storms

• other geologic processes

give the examples of natural made disasters

man-made disasters

are result of man’s negligence, errors, or intentions

• technological / industrial disasters

• terrorism / violence

• complex humanitarian emergencies

types of man-made disasters

technological / industrial disaster

this includes infrastructure collapse, leaks of hazardous material, accidental explosion, utility failure, and vehicle collisions

terrorism / violence

this includes bomb explosions, release of chemical materials and biological agents, release of radioactive agents, multiple massive shootings and mutinies (rebellion)

complex humanitarian emergencies

this includes conflict wars or genocide (deliberate killing or large number of people)

vulnerability

• is situation specific

• differs in the way they prepare for the hazard and the amount and type of resources they need to use and manage

republic act no. 10121 | philippine disaster risk reduction and management act of 2010

is defined as the characteristic and circumstances of a community, system or resources that make susceptible to damaging effects of a hazard

• proximity to a hazard event

• population density near a hazard event

• capacity and efficiency to reduce disaster risk

• building codes and disaster policies

factors that asses the vulnerability of an area

proximity to a hazard event

• an area frequented by a certain hazard predisposes it to high vulnerability, as an example of a hazard, is more likely to happen in the philippines than in brazil because the philippines is situated along the pacific ring of fire where frequent seismic activities occur, hence, this fact already puts the philippines in a vulnerable situation for seismic-related events

• in the same manner, houses, buildings, and other structures become vulnerable to flooding if they are built on floodplains.

population density near a hazard event

• if people are distributed evenly in an area, the impact of a disaster may be reduced to a minimum

• if all individuals crowd in one portion of a place, there is little space and time to escape from a hazard

population

refers to the number of individuals inhabiting a particular space at the same time

population density

refers to the number of individuals living in an area in relation to the size of that area

capacity and efficiency to reduce disaster risk

• The capacity of a community to reduce disaster risk includes the accessibility and availability of services and facilities that help in preparing for or during disasters

• ability of a community to anticipate, adapt, and respond to the changes in socio-ecological and economic impacts that are usually experienced after a disaster

building code and disaster policies

• buildings and other structures may increase disaster risk, when they fall or collapse due to a hazard such as an earthquake, they can cause injury and even loss of lives.

• in the design and construction of buildings, possible hazards should be considered

exposure

refers to the degree to which a community or society is likely to experience hazard events of different magnitude

capacity

is the capability and coping ability of school, households, and communities to manage when disaster hits (drrm)

r = h*v/c

r - risk of damage

h - hazard

v - vulnerability

c - the ability of people, organization and system to face or manage adverse conditions, emergencies or disasters

disaster risk equation