DRRM - Lesson 2

Disaster

A serious disruption in the functioning of a community or society caused by hazardous events interacting with exposure, vulnerability, and capacity.

When does a hazard become a disaster?

When it affects exposed and vulnerable communities and its effects exceed their capacity to cope.

Meaning of serious disruption

An interruption or breakdown in the normal functioning of a community or society.

Enumerate the possible losses and impacts of a disaster.

1. Human

2. material

3. economic

4. environmental losses and impacts.

Enumerate the characteristics of a disaster.

1. significant losses of life

2. damages homes and infrastructure

3. disrupts essential services and livelihoods

4. exceeds community capacity

5. requires external assistance.

Why may external assistance be needed after a disaster?

The affected community may no longer be able to cope using only its own resources.

Hazard

A process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause harm to people, property, livelihoods, society, the economy, or the environment.

Simple meaning of hazard

Anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage.

Does a hazard automatically become a disaster?

No. It becomes a disaster only when it affects exposed and vulnerable communities whose capacity to cope is exceeded.

Enumerate the possible effects of a hazard.

Loss of life, injury, health impacts, property damage, infrastructure damage, livelihood losses, social and economic disruption, and environmental degradation.

Difference between hazard and disaster

A hazard is a potential source of harm, while a disaster is the serious disruption and actual losses caused when a hazard affects a vulnerable and exposed community.

Exposure

The presence of people, infrastructure, housing, livelihoods, production capacities, and other assets in hazard-prone areas.

Simple meaning of exposure

People and assets are located in places where hazards may affect them.

Question answered by exposure

Who or what is located in harm’s way?

Effect of greater exposure

The greater the number of people and assets in hazard-prone areas, the greater the potential disaster losses.

Examples of exposed elements

People, communities, buildings, infrastructure, livelihoods, housing, and production facilities.

Example of exposure

Families living in coastal areas are exposed to storm surges.

Vulnerability

The conditions that increase the susceptibility of people, communities, assets, or systems to the effects of hazards.

Simple meaning of vulnerability

Conditions that make people, infrastructure, communities, or the environment more likely to be harmed.

Keyword for vulnerability

Susceptibility.

Enumerate the four factors that increase vulnerability.

Physical, social, economic, and environmental factors.

Physical vulnerability

Physical conditions that make people, structures, and communities more likely to suffer damage from hazards.

Enumerate the physical factors that increase vulnerability.

Weak buildings, settlements in hazard-prone areas, and inadequate infrastructure and drainage systems.

Social vulnerability

Social conditions that make people or groups less able to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazards.

Enumerate the social factors that increase vulnerability.

Limited disaster awareness, lack of preparedness, age-related vulnerability, disability, and limited access to information and support.

Economic vulnerability

Economic conditions that limit the ability of people and communities to prepare for and recover from disasters.

Enumerate the economic factors that increase vulnerability.

Poverty, limited financial resources, dependence on hazard-sensitive livelihoods, and limited ability to recover.

Environmental vulnerability

Environmental conditions or practices that increase the harmful effects of hazards.

Enumerate the environmental factors that increase vulnerability.

Deforestation, soil degradation, loss of mangroves and wetlands, and improper land-use practices.

Capacity

The strengths, attributes, resources, abilities, and systems available to manage and reduce disaster risks and strengthen resilience.

Simple meaning of capacity

The knowledge, skills, resources, facilities, and systems that help people and communities prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Keyword for capacity

Ability to cope.

Enumerate the components of capacity.

Abilities, resources, knowledge, skills, systems, facilities, strengths, and attributes.

Enumerate the examples of community capacity.

Early warning systems, evacuation centers, trained responders, resilient buildings, emergency funds, and public awareness programs.

Early warning system

A community capacity that provides timely information so residents can prepare or evacuate before a hazard becomes dangerous.

Evacuation center

A safe temporary shelter for people during emergencies.

Trained responders

Volunteers or emergency teams who conduct rescue, medical assistance, and emergency operations.

Resilient buildings

Structures designed to reduce damage and protect occupants during hazards.

Emergency funds and resources

Money, supplies, and equipment used for immediate response and recovery.

Public awareness programs

Activities that improve disaster knowledge, preparedness, and safe behavior.

How does capacity affect disaster risk?

As capacity increases, disaster risk decreases because the community can prepare, respond, and recover more effectively.

Disaster risk

The potential loss of life, injury, property, assets, livelihoods, services, and the environment that may occur when hazards interact with exposure, vulnerability, and capacity.

Simple meaning of disaster risk

The possibility of losses or damage when a hazard affects exposed and vulnerable people or communities.

Keyword for disaster risk

Potential loss.

What determines disaster risk?

Hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity.

Does a hazard alone create disaster risk?

No. Disaster risk exists when a hazard interacts with exposure and vulnerability, while capacity influences the level of risk.

Hazard–Vulnerability Framework or Conceptual Framework (Smith & Petley, 2009)

Disaster equals hazard multiplied by vulnerability.

Hazard–Vulnerability Formula

Disaster = Hazard × Vulnerability.

Disaster Risk Formula or UNDRR Conceptual Framework (Conceptual / Planning Level)

Disaster Risk = Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability.

Expanded Disaster Risk Framework (Including Capacity)

Disaster Risk = (Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability) / Capacity.

Resilience

The ability of a system, community, or society to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from a hazard efficiently.

Simple meaning of resilience

The ability to prepare for, withstand, adapt to, recover from, and improve after disasters while maintaining essential functions.

Keyword for resilience

Recovery or bounce back.

Does resilience mean disasters will never happen?

No. It means the community can reduce impacts, respond effectively, recover faster, and become better prepared.

Enumerate the abilities involved in resilience.

Resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt, transform, and recover.

Enumerate the characteristics of a resilient community.

Hazard-resistant infrastructure, regular preparedness activities, effective early warning systems, trained responders, and quick restoration of essential services.

How does resilience reduce disaster impacts?

It strengthens preparedness and response, reduces losses, and allows faster and more effective recovery.

Difference between capacity and resilience

Capacity refers to available strengths and resources, while resilience is the ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from disasters.

Characteristics of a resilient community after a typhoon

The community may still experience impacts, but losses are reduced and recovery is faster and more effective.