In-Depth Notes on Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Disaster Risk Reduction Management (Philippines)

Objectives of the Lesson
  • Update knowledge on disaster awareness, preparedness, and management.
  • Theoretical and practical skills in disaster management (risk reduction, response, recovery).
  • Practical skills for responding to disaster incidents.
  • Appreciate the impact of disasters and build sustainable communities.
  • Enumerate roles of youth in disaster awareness, preparedness, and management.
  • Understand and demonstrate essential life-saving skills.
Introduction to Disasters
  • Disasters have been part of human history; early descriptions include tales like Noah's Ark.
  • Flood myths are also found in Greek mythology, Puranas, and Mesopotamian stories.
Etymology of "Disaster"
  • Greek Origin:
    • dus: bad
    • aster: star
  • Originally referred to misfortunes due to celestial positions.
  • Translated to Italian as "disastro", French as "désastre".
Understanding Hazard
  • Definition: A phenomenon or condition causing potential harm.
  • Can lead to:
    • Loss of life or injury
    • Property damage
    • Social and economic disruption
    • Environmental damage
  • Types of Hazards:
    1. Natural Hazards: e.g., earthquakes, typhoons, floods
    2. Technological Hazards: e.g., pollution, nuclear accidents
    3. Biological Hazards: e.g., pathogenic microorganisms
    4. Societal Hazards: e.g., civil unrest
Emergency Situations
  • Definition: A threat to public health and safety.
  • Features:
    • Chaos, death, injuries, and property damage.
    • Displacement and inadequate basic supplies.
Disaster Definition and Examples
  • A significant disruption impacting the community’s normal functioning.
  • Examples include:
    • Bohol earthquake
    • Typhoon Yolanda
    • Indian Ocean Tsunami
    • Benguet landslide
    • Marawi Siege
Impact of Disasters
  • Effects on:
    • Life loss, injuries, and diseases.
    • Property damage and loss of services.
    • Social and economic disruption.
    • Environmental degradation.
Vulnerability Factors
  • Definition: Characteristics making a community susceptible to hazards.
  • Categories of Vulnerability:
    1. Intrinsic Vulnerabilities: e.g., age, sex, literacy
    2. Extrinsic Vulnerabilities: e.g., location, poverty
  • Poverty increases vulnerability:
    • More likely to live in hazard-prone areas.
    • Less resources for disaster coping.
Vulnerable Groups
  • Populations less able to cope with hazards due to social, economic, or geographic constraints.
Capacity in Disaster Management
  • Definition: Strengths, attributes, resources for managing and reducing risks.
  • Components of capacity include:
    • Infrastructure
    • Institutions
    • Societal coping abilities
    • Human knowledge and skills
Understanding Risk
  • Definition: The likelihood of an event and its consequences.
  • It is a relationship representation among hazard, vulnerability, and capacity.
Community Elements Exposed to Hazards
  • Five Elements:
    1. People
    2. Property (infrastructure, assets)
    3. Services (governmental and non-governmental)
    4. Livelihoods (urban and rural)
    5. Environment (air, water, soil)
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
  • Objective: Reduce disaster risk and manage residual risk.
  • Goals include:
    • Preventing new disaster risks.
    • Reducing existing disaster risks.
    • Strengthening resilience.