hazards and disasters

geography of the Philippines

  • one of the most disaster prone countries in the world

  • surrounded by 3 bodies of water

  • part of the ring of fire

  • encounters at least 20 earthquakes daily

  • more than 300 volcanoes with 22 currently active

  • experiences and average of 19.5 typhoons a year and it is considered as the disaster that is the experienced the most in the country

causes of typhoon

  • overflow of riverbanks and lakes due to heavy precipitations

  • urbanization

  • obstruction of waterways to improper construction activities

  • incidence of storm surges in coastal areas that are already experiencing land erosion

climate change

  • a change in the usual weather found in a place

  • these shifts may be natural such as variations in the solar cycle

  • since the 1800s human activities have been the main cause of climate change

deforestation

  • lost of forests and trees

industry

  • the 3 largest greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide methane and nitrous oxide

human waste

  • pollution, conflict and wars, global warming

capitalism

  • the current economic and social system based on private property, usage, labor and production for profit

climate action

  • requires significant financial investments by governments and businesses but climate inaction is vastly more expensive

disaster

  • severe destruction of a community that involves the loss of many lives, property, livelihoods

  • destruction that surpass the ability of a community to recover

hazards

  • a dangerous situation or event that carries threats to humans

  • natural or man made

  • can lead to disasters once they affect humans

Natural hazards

Geophysical Hazards

  • natural events that happen to the earth

  • landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis

Hydrological Hazards

  • water-based events

  • flood, avalanche, tsunamis

Climatological Hazards

  • hazards that are a part of climate change, have long-term shifts

  • droughts, heat waves, cold waves\

Meteorological Hazards

  • atmospheric phenomena

  • rain, tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, hail

Biological Hazards

  • hazards that come from living things

  • flus, epidemics

Types of Man-made Hazards

Electrical Hazards

  • exposed wires

Physical Hazards

  • heat, air quality, slipper floors, poor lighting, noise

Chemical Hazards

  • those items that have toxic properties that could affect your body

Flammable Hazards

  • combustible items that can start a fire

Biological Hazards

  • bacteria, animals, humans, insects, birds, plants, viruses

Man-made Hazards

Transport Accidents

  • airplanes crash

  • cars crash

  • boats crash

Industrial Accidents

  • unsafe working conditions

  • dangerous workplace practices

Risk Assessment

  • Identify hazards and risk factors that could potentially cause harm and become a disaster

  • Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with the hazard

  • Find ways to eliminate and stop the hazard or control the risk

Disaster Preparedness and Risk Mitigation

  • refers to the information and capacity provided by the government and professional organizations to help those in the community and individuals to respond

  • giving early warning signals

  • contingency planning

  • storing of food and supplies

  • preparing evacuation centers

  • information dissemination to the public

NDRRMC: Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

Philippine Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010

  • It turned from being a recovery system for disasters to becoming a disaster risk reduction system

  • tasked to help the citizens prepare for natural disasters

  • Not only does it monitor natural calamities, but it also monitors human-induced emergencies like armed conflicts and maritime accidents

Following the contract, they made a plan for 2011-2028

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

  • Secretary: DOST, Department of Science and Technology

  • avoiding hazards and mitigating potential impacts (avoiding problematic situations) by reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing capacities of communities

Disaster Preparedness

  • Secretary: DILG, Department of Interior and Local Government

  • preparing the citizens from natural disasters (some can be unexpected) by having evacuation drills for example, also preparing them for the worst to happen for example, injuries or health emergency

Disaster Response

  • Secretary: DSWD, Department of Social Welfare and Development

  • after a disaster, helping the people with their basic needs

Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery

  • Secretary: NEDA, National Economic and Development Authority

  • helping the communities recover and fix destroyed buildings or facilities after a disaster