MODULE 2 – EFFECTS OF DISASTER: MULTI-PERSPECTIVE STUDY NOTES

Describe effects of disasters on individual & community life.
Analyze disasters from six major perspectives: physical, psychological, socio-cultural, economic, political, biological.

Focus: damage to tangible, material elements (people, property, infrastructure).
Highly visible, quantifiable; forms basis of post-disaster data collection.
Typical assessment questions:
• $\text{Families affected? (displacement, injury, death)}$
• $\text{Houses damaged/washed out?}$
• $\text{Buildings collapsed?}$
• $\text{Roads, bridges, dams damaged?}$
• $\text{Agricultural losses? (crop, fish cages, rice fields)}$

Concerns serious mental & emotional consequences.
Stress level during hazard ⟹ intensity of emotional outcomes.
Mental/Emotional impacts: stress, anxiety, sadness, trauma.
Detailed effects:
• Emotional: shock, terror, irritability, blame, anger, guilt, grief, numbness, helplessness, anhedonia, inability to feel loved/happy.
• Cognitive: poor concentration & decision-making, memory issues, disbelief, confusion, nightmares, low self-esteem/efficacy, self-blame, intrusive thoughts.
• Physical: fatigue, insomnia, cardiovascular strain, hyper-arousal, pain, low immunity, headaches, GI upset, appetite/libido loss, illness vulnerability.
• Interpersonal: conflicts, withdrawal, reduced intimacy/work output, distrust, externalizing blame/vulnerability, feelings of abandonment.

Examines community behaviour, traditions, and social conditions influencing risk & resilience.
Key determinants: social conditions (income, residence, resource access) + cultural settings (beliefs, customs, traditional knowledge).
Examples in Philippines:
• “Bayanihan” communal cooperation strengthens coping.
• Religious/animistic rituals for protection & spiritual comfort.
• Long-standing adaptations (e.g., stilt houses, seasonal relocation).

Measures loss in human, physical, financial capital; effect on growth, assets, employment, consumption.
Definitions:
• Human capital = skills/abilities of people.
• Physical capital = infrastructure enabling production.
• Financial capital = monetary & fiscal resources.
Costs:
• Direct economic cost = immediate spending for repairs, health care, response.
• Indirect loss = knock-on effects (lost industrial output, income decline).

Focuses on role of government & institutions across Disaster Risk Reduction & Management (DRRM) phases: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Recovery.
Political factors set: risk distribution, intervention capacity, beneficiary groups.
Effective governance ("governmentality") can reduce risk; failure heightens vulnerability and slows recovery.

Looks at living organisms linked to disaster effects (disease vectors, pests).
Spread of disease intensified by compromised sanitation, flooding, displacement.
Pest population booms can damage crops or transmit illness.

Disasters emerge where hazards meet environmental degradation.
Poor environmental management amplifies hazard intensity.
Damage examples: wildfires destroying forests, chemical spills polluting rivers.
Long-term changes: climate-driven weather pattern shifts, sea-level rise.

Displaced populations → shelter, water, healthcare & education strain.
• Example: 1991 Mt. Pinatubo lahar uprooted Zambales/Pampanga families; tent cities grew into permanent settlements.
Health risks:
• Water stagnation ⇒ bacterial & vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue).
• Post-impact morbidity/mortality may rise without rapid relief.
• Common health concerns: communicable disease, nutrition deficits, mental health, damaged infrastructure, climatic exposure.
Food scarcity:
• Crop loss & supply disruption raise prices, lower purchasing power, exacerbate malnutrition (esp. children).
• Example: post-Yolanda food shortage provoked looting in Tacloban.
Emotional aftershocks:
• PTSD in children & adults; untreated trauma causes lasting distress.

Elements located in hazard zones subject to potential losses.
Four categories:
1. Physical (bridges, roads, utilities, facilities).
2. Societal (children, elderly, PWD, homeless).
3. Economic (business activity, jobs, productivity).
4. Environmental (biodiversity, land, water, air).

Prevention – eliminate hazard or exposure.
• Early warning systems, public education, immunization programs.
Mitigation – lessen hazard impact via external interventions.
• Flood walls, reforestation, retaining walls.
Adaptation – behavioural changes to reduce vulnerability.
• Heeding alerts, hygiene practices, community-based early warning teams.

Infectious disease first detected Dec 2019; PH first case Jan 30 2020.
Perspectives to analyze: Economic, Psychological, Political, Socio-cultural, Environmental, Physical.
Provide statistics e.g., $\text{Total cases July 24 2020} = 76,444$ , $\text{Active cases} = 50,063$ .

Identify recurring local hazard.
List $10$ family actions (evacuation prep, communication, supplies, shut-offs, pet care…).
Name $3$ safe evacuation sites (e.g., barangay hall, school, relative’s house on higher ground).