Disaster Risk Reduction & Management – Quick Study Notes
Page 1
Opening: DRRM Class 2025 welcome slide.
Page 2
Core idea: Immediate, well-chosen actions (e.g., “Drop–Cover–Hold”) save lives during earthquakes and typhoons; preparation must focus on safest, proven practices (evacuate early, secure essentials, heed warnings).
Page 3
Reflection prompts stress lessons-learned, impact reduction (cannot stop hazards, can reduce impacts), and the role of resilience (can be built through planning, education, resources).
Page 4
Science & engineering reduce risk via sensors, forecasting, hazard-resistant design; human activities (deforestation, poor planning, climate change) raise risk; engineers implement codes, retrofits, evacuation systems.
Page 5
STEM students: apply technical skills to risk assessment, early-warning apps, community education, and evidence-based solutions.
Page 6
DRRM ≈ systematic approach to lessen hazard impacts through preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery.
Page 7
“Disaster”: sudden disruptive event; etymology from French “desastre” (bad star).
Page 8
Disaster = hazard + vulnerable/exposed community ➔ death, damage, need for outside help.
Page 9
Hazard: potential source of harm; two origins: natural & man-made.
Page 10
Natural hazards categories & examples:
• Biological – epidemics
• Geological – earthquakes, tsunamis
• Hydrological – floods
• Meteorological – cyclones
• Climatological – drought
Page 11
Man-made hazards: pollution, industrial/transport accidents, conflict, tech failures.
Page 12
Vulnerability = inability to withstand hazard (e.g., town near active volcano).
Page 13
Mitigation = pre-disaster actions to prevent/minimize effects.
Page 14
Core relation: (if hazard meets vulnerability & exposure).
Page 15
UNISDR definition: Risk = probability × consequences. Components: hazard, exposure, vulnerability.
Page 16–17
Risk factors:
• Physical (infrastructure strength).
• Psychological (mental readiness).
• Socio-cultural (traditions, cohesion).
• Economic (resources).
• Biological (ecosystem health).
Page 18
DRR goals: reduce vulnerability & exposure, raise preparedness via policy & measures.
Page 19–20
Hazard vs disaster: hazard = potential, disaster = realized damage.
Page 21–26
Major disaster effects: population displacement, health threats (e.g., leptospirosis), food shortage, psychological trauma.
Page 27
Earthquake hazard unit aims: cultivate discipline, flexibility, resilience.
Page 28–32
Earthquake basics:
• Cause: sudden slip on faults.
• Seismic waves: body (P, S) & surface (Love, Rayleigh); surface waves cause most damage.
Page 33–35
Quantifying quakes:
• Magnitude (energy, one value, Richter/Mw, logarithmic).
• Intensity (shaking effects, varies by site, MMI I–XII).
Page 36–41
Volcano hazards:
• PH: 24 active; notable eruptions (Pinatubo 1991).
• Lava flow: fluid vs viscous (silica, temp, gas content).
• Exposure & vulnerability principles apply.
Page 42–45
Vulnerability determinants:
• Physical (location, structural safety).
• Social (DRRM committees, drills, warnings).
• Motivational (leadership, funding, awareness).
Page 46–48
Socio-economic & demographic factors: poverty, rapid urbanization, high density increase risk.
Page 49–56
Structural vulnerability:
• Engineered (code-compliant) vs non-engineered/owner-built.
• Key elements: location, neighboring buildings, stories, shape/symmetry, age, materials, alterations, maintenance.
• Non-structural items (walls, fixtures, utilities) also critical.
• Critical facilities: hospitals, lifelines, transport hubs, schools.
Page 57–58
Elements exposed:
• Physical (infrastructure, lifelines).
• Social (children, elderly, PWDs).
• Economic (livelihoods).
• Environmental (biodiversity, water, landforms).
Page 59–60
Risk assessment importance: identify exposed elements, common ignition sources (e.g., faulty wiring), plan prevention & community vigilance; propose DRRM actions, education, elimination of exposure where possible.