DRR

Overview of Disaster and Disaster Risk

• The Earth undergoes constant natural processes, including the movement of plate tectonics and atmospheric wind movements, which continuously restructure the planet.

• While some processes are slow and steady, disasters occur when these processes become abrupt and sudden, leading to damage or mishap in human life.

• Etymology: The word "disaster" originates from the French word desastre, which is a combination of des (meaning bad) and astre (meaning star). Historically, disasters signify a "bad star" or "evil star."

• The Philippines Context:

  • The Philippines experiences an average of $20$ tropical cyclones annually.

  • Tectonic plate movements occur daily within the region.

  • There are $20$ active volcanoes in the country that are capable of erupting at any moment.

  • The country contains $8$ out of the $10$ world cities most at risk to disasters.

The Concept of Disaster and Hazard

• Disaster: A dangerous situation or threat resulting from natural or man-made events that disrupt the functions of individuals and the community as a whole. This disruption typically involves death, resource damage, and property loss. A community experiencing a disaster requires external assistance to recover.

• Disaster Formation: A disaster occurs specifically when a hazard is exposed to a vulnerable community.

• Hazard: A threat to life, environment, or property. A hazard is only classified as a disaster if it causes actual harm to life and the environment.

Classification of Hazards

• Natural Hazards: These are caused by naturally occurring phenomena, which can have an abrupt or slow onset. They are categorized by origin:

  • Biological: Diseases, epidemics, plagues (e.g., Bubonic plague, malaria).

  • Geological: Earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic activity.

  • Hydrological: Avalanches and floods.

  • Meteorological: Storm surges, cyclones (typhoons), and tornadoes.

  • Climatological: Droughts and wildfires.

• Man-made Hazards: These are results of human activities and usually occur near human settlements. Examples include:

  • Pollution.

  • Industrial and transport accidents.

  • Conflicts, including war and terrorism (e.g., the war in Deir Ez Zor or Marawi).

  • Technological structure failures.

  • Arson.

Disaster Risk Factors and Resilience

• Disaster Risk: Defined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) as "the combination of the probability of an event and its negative consequences." This includes the severity of the hazard, the number of people and resources at risk, and their specific vulnerability.

• Elements of Disaster Risk:

  • Exposure: Any element (people, property, or systems) present in a hazard zone that is prone to potential loss.

  • Vulnerability: A feature or condition of a community that makes it unable to withstand the impacts of hazards. It is often caused by limited resources, illnesses, disabilities, or a lack of proper disaster management planning.

  • Resilience: The ability of a community to withstand, accommodate, and recover from the effects of a disaster. It is the capacity to protect itself and bounce back.

Risk Assessment and Statistics

• Since $1980$, approximately $1.6 \times 10^9$ people have been killed in disasters worldwide.

• The global average annual loss is estimated to increase to $US\$415 \times 10^9$ by the year $2030$.

• Risk assessment involves analyzing data from previous hazards, exposures, and vulnerabilities to estimate potential economic, social, and infrastructure impacts.

Categories of Disaster Risk Factors

• Physical: Includes concrete objects like fire exits or the structural sturdiness of buildings to withstand seismic activity.

• Psychological: Relates to the mental state and the ability of an individual to respond to fear and trauma.

• Socio-cultural: Involves traditions, religion, social status, and systems like the bayanihan system (community cooperation).

• Economic: Resources, income sources (farming, employment), and the overall financial capacity of the community.

• Biological: The health of flora and fauna and the presence of diseases.

The Process of Event-to-Disaster Transformation

• An event only becomes a disaster when it impacts human life and damages property.

• The Inhabitants Rule: A tsunami hitting a deserted island is merely a hazard; it is not a disaster because there are no human inhabitants or properties affected.

• Preparedness Approaches:

  • Proactive Approach: Using technology (like weather satellites) and information dissemination to conduct evacuations and mitigation before a hazard (like a typhoon) strikes.

  • Unforeseen Hazards: Events like earthquakes cannot be predicted. For instance, the $7.2$ magnitude earthquake in Central Visayas in $2013$ killed $222$ people, displaced $350,000$ victims, and destroyed $73,000$ buildings.

• Response: The speed of emergency response teams and the use of warning signals (media announcements) are critical in reducing the number of casualties during a disaster.

Effects of Disasters on Community Life

• Global Impact Data: Since $1994$, natural disasters have affected over $4.4 \times 10^9$ people, claimed $1.3 \times 10^6$ lives, and caused losses totaling $US\$2 \times 10^{12}$.

Specific Impacts

• Population Displacement: Disasters force people into evacuation centers (often schools and churches in the Philippines). High concentrations of people lead to limited access to food and clean water.

• Health Hazards: Stagnant water from flooding breeds mosquitoes and bacteria. Common post-disaster illnesses include leptospirosis. Crowded centers facilitate the spread of epidemics due to poor hygiene and shared facilities.

• Food Security: Damage to farms, poultry, and aquaculture limits supply, driving up prices and leading to malnutrition and hunger.

• Psychological Trauma: Survivors can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

• Severity Factors:

  • Severity of Exposure: First-hand experience of a disaster (e.g., losing a family member) causes higher distress than observing via news.

  • Age: Individuals aged $40$ to $60$ years are often more prone to disaster-related distress than children due to the added pressure of job and family responsibilities.

• Resilience Factors:

  • Social Support: Emotional sharing and finding comfort in others.

  • Coping Confidence: Maintaining optimism and self-efficacy.

Identification of Hazard-Prone Areas

• Geophysical Locations: The Philippines is within the "Pacific Ring of Fire," making it highly susceptible to earthquakes.

• Climate-Related Zones:

  • Floods: Low-elevation areas, regions with poor drainage, or areas near bodies of water.

  • Landslides: Steep landforms with poor vegetation.

• Geophysical Zones: Areas near fault lines, trenches, or deep-focused zones are prone to earthquakes.

• Man-made Risk Zones:

  • Fire: Houses with faulty wiring, unattended candles, or leaking LPG tanks.

  • War: Conflict-prone areas like Marawi ($2017$).

Multi-Perspectival Analysis of Disaster Impacts

• Environmental/Physical Perspective: Includes immediate destruction like road cracks, soil erosion, and the loss of arable soil (topsoil layer needed for plant growth).

• Socio-economic Perspective: Developing countries are more vulnerable due to low economic resistance and high vulnerability. Urban areas with stable infrastructure are less vulnerable than rural areas lacking disaster education.

• Educational Perspective: Literacy in disaster management is essential, yet the use of schools as evacuation centers disrupts the progress of the students' curriculum (e.g., the Senior High School Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction subject).

• Biological Perspective: Disasters cause ecosystem imbalances and drastically decrease animal and plant populations, affecting agriculture and livestock.

• Political Perspective: Disasters influence public opinion of the government. Slow rebuilding efforts or perceived mismanagement of donations can significantly lower the trust rating of government officials.

Case Studies and Real-World Applications

Japan: Satellite Information Systems

• Context: Many drivers were unable to obtain crucial information during the $2011$ earthquake and tsunami.

• Solution: The Japanese government introduced disaster information delivery via vehicle navigation systems using satellite data.

• Timeline: Trial basis in $5$ municipal governments in $2018$, with expansion to $20$ by $2021$.

India: Cyclone Mitigation in Odisha

• Comparison: A super-cyclone in $1999$ killed $9,843$ people. In $2013$, the equally powerful Cyclone Phailin killed only $47$ people.

• Improvements: Establishment of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, construction of $200$ cyclone shelters, creation of early warning communication for fishermen, and building embankments against storm surges.

• Forecasting: Forecast accuracy improved from a $2$-day warning in $1999$ to a $4$-day warning in $2013$.

Central African Republic: Waka Waka Lights

• Event: An armed group raid in Bocaranga killed $20$ people and left homes looted.

• Solution: Distribution of Waka Waka solar lights allowed children to study and families to work in the absence of electricity, providing a psychological "brightening" of the heart.

California: Wildfire Dynamics

• Trends: Research titled "Extreme fire season in California: A glimpse into the future?" indicates global warming intensifies wildfires.

• The Wet-Dry Paradox: While global warming causes droughts, it also creates wet seasons. The unusually wet season of $2017$ in California promoted vegetation growth, which then dried out during the hottest summer on record, providing massive fuel for the fire season.

• Economic Impact: $2017$ was the most expensive wildfire season on record.

Texas: Fracking and Seismicity

• Issue: Wastewater injection (a byproduct of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking") has led to a surge in earthquakes in northern Texas. Fracking involves pumping an average of $1.5 \times 10^6$ gallons of water per well to fracture shale rock and release gas.

Questions & Discussion

• Q: Can India's mortality reduction be replicated?

  • A: Yes, by establishing dedicated authorities, creating physical shelters, and improving forecasting and dissemination of warnings.

• Q: Is it possible to achieve $0\%$ risk?

  • A: No, because many natural hazards are inevitable and unpredictable; mitigation can only reduce, not eliminate, risk.

• Q: How does age affect disaster recovery?

  • A: Adults ($40-60$) often struggle more due to the pressure of providing for families, which can subsequently slow the recovery of their children.

• Q: Identify the specific aspect affected: "Road cracks"

  • A: Environmental/Physical perspective.

• Q: Identify the specific aspect affected: "Price increase on basic necessities"

  • A: Socio-economic perspective.