DISASTER

READINESS AND
RISK REDUCTION
MODULE

NO COPY RIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 DISASTER READINESS
1 AND RISK REDUCTION

LEARNING OVERVIEW

Hello learners!
This course is consistent with the aim of the K to 12 Science Program. It focuses
on the application of scientific knowledge and the solution of practical
problems in a physical environment. It is designed to bridge the gap between
theoretical science and daily living.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 Each lesson of this course emphasizes coverage of the basic aspects
of natural hazards and disaster. Lesson 1 to Lesson 5 which are Basic
Concept of Disaster and Disaster Risk, Hazards that Can Lead to Disaster,
Exposure and Vulnerability, Vulnerability across Sectors and Disaster
Preparedness respectively. These are introduction to the concepts of
hazards, exposure, and vulnerability which are ingredients of disasters. It
also lays down the conditions under which potentially harmful events
becomes disasters.
Lesson 6 to Lesson 11 is Basic Concepts of Hazards, Earthquake
Hazards, Volcanic Hazards, Landslides and Sinkholes, Hydrometeorological
Hazards and Fire Hazards respectively. These lessons provide background
on the aspect of the different types of natural hazards that had been
affecting different communities. These include the nature, origin,
processes, consequences and the prevention and mitigation of disasters
that natural hazards bring. Lesson 12 to Lesson 14 are Concept of Disaster
Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Community –
Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Disaster Preparedness: The
Role of the State and the Citizens respectively. These lessons present wide
range of measures that can be done aside from post – disaster efforts.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, you will be able to:

1. enumerate elements exposed to hazards;

2. explain the meaning of vulnerability;
3. explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to
disaster than others; and
4. analyze why certain structures are more vulnerable to specific
hazards than others.

EXPOSURE AND VULNERABILITY

Understanding the multi-faceted nature of vulnerability and

exposure is a prerequisite for determining how weather and climate
events contribute to the occurrence of disasters, and for designing and
implementing effective adaptation and disaster risk management
strategies.
Vulnerability and exposure are dynamic, varying across temporal
and spatial scales, and depend on economic, social, geographic,
demographic, cultural, institutional, governance, and environmental
factors (high confidence). Individuals and communities are differentially
exposed and vulnerable and this is based on factors such as wealth,
education, race/ethnicity/religion, gender, age, class/caste, disability,
and health status. Lack of resilience and capacity to anticipate, cope
with, and adapt to extremes and change are important causal factors of
vulnerability.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 Extreme and non-extreme weather and climate events also affect
vulnerability to future extreme events, by modifying the resilience, coping, and
adaptive capacity of communities, societies, or social-ecological systems
affected by such events (high confidence). At the far end of the spectrum – low-
probability, high-intensity events – the intensity of extreme climate and weather
events and exposure to them tend to be more pervasive in explaining disaster
loss than vulnerability in explaining the level of impact. But for less extreme
events – higher probability, lower intensity – the vulnerability of exposed
elements plays an increasingly important role (high confidence). The cumulative
effects of small- or medium-scale, recurrent disasters at the sub-national or local
levels can substantially affect livelihood options and resources and the capacity
of societies and communities to prepare for and respond to future disasters.

Various elements that may be exposed to hazards

A hazard is a potential source of
harm. Substances, events, or
circumstances can constitute hazards
when their nature would allow them, even
just theoretically, to cause damage to
health, life, property, or any other interest
of value. The probability of that harm being
realized in a specific incident, combined
with the magnitude of potential harm, make up its risk, a term often used
synonymously in colloquial speech.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

We happened to pass by the word Risk. How can we differentiate these 2?

We dwell in a world, which is

completely uncertain. There is end number
of factors that have the capability of
endangering our physical, moral or
financial health which always surrounds us
and they are beyond our control. You might
have encountered, tragic deaths or
causalities, loss of property and life due to
natural calamities or human-made disaster.
These forces ultimately pose a risk to
human life or wealth or nature. The term
‘risk’ refers to the chance of loss due to a
particular activity or inactivity.

Most people use the words risk and hazard synonymously, but
‘hazard’ implies something that can actually cause danger. So,
before you use these words interchangeably, you should know
the fundamental differences between risk and hazard.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

Conclusion

Therefore, it would not be wrong to say; that risk is likelihood while hazard
is the likely outcome. Both are different and should not be confused. While risk
has both positive and negative consequences, i.e. it may or may not result in a
loss, because risk might turn out as gain. On the other hand, hazard only results
in adverse effects.

WHAT ARE THE 4 MAIN TYPES OF VULNERABILITY?

In this modern age a majority of businesses are learning new ways to

overcome dire vulnerabilities that can increase the rate of cyber threats. It
adversely affects the community’s ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for or
respond to a hazard. Absence of coping strategies is also a part of vulnerability
and has to be considered in vulnerability assessment.
Vulnerability describes the characteristics and circumstances of a
community, system or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a
hazard. There are many aspects of vulnerability, arising from various physical,
social, economic, and environmental factors. Examples may include:

 Poor design and construction of buildings,

 Inadequate protection of assets,
 Lack of public information and awareness,
 Limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures,
and
 Disregard for wise environmental management.

Vulnerability varies significantly within a community and over time. This

definition identifies vulnerability as a characteristic of the element of interest
(community, system or asset) which is independent of its exposure. However, in
common use the word is often used more broadly to include the element’s
exposure.

Any questions regarding this lesson? Let me know, message

me! 

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

1. Physical vulnerability - The physical vulnerability of an area also
depends on its geographic proximity to the source and origin of the
disasters e.g. if an area lies near the coast lines, fault lines, unstable
hills etc. it makes the area more vulnerable to disasters as compared
to an area that is far away from the origin of the disaster. Physical
vulnerability includes the difficulty in access to water resources, means
of communications, hospitals, police stations, fire brigades, roads,
bridges and exits of a building or/an area, in case of disasters.
Furthermore, the lack of proper planning and implementation in
construction of residential and commercial buildings results in buildings
that is weaker and vulnerable in earthquakes, floods, landslides and
other hazards.

2. Economic vulnerabilities - Economic vulnerability of a community can

be assessed by determining how varied its sources of income are, the
ease of access and control over means of production, adequacy of
economic fall back mechanisms and the availability of natural
resources in the area.

3. Social vulnerability - A socially vulnerable community has weak family

structures, lack of leadership for decision making and conflict
resolution, unequal participation in decision making, weak or no
community organizations, and the one in which people are
discriminated on racial, ethnic, linguistic or religious basis. Other social
factors such as culture, tradition, religion, local norms and values,
economic standard, and political accountability also play a vital role
determining the social vulnerability of a community. Social vulnerability
to natural phenomena is greatest among the poorest people in
developing countries owing to a lack of information and resources with
which to take the appropriate measures. Within this group, children,
women and the elderly are considered to be the most vulnerable. To
reduce social vulnerability, all of the above factors must be addressed
but this requires knowledge and understanding of the local conditions,
which can in most cases only be provided by local actors.

4. Environmental vulnerability - The tendency of the environment to

respond either positively or negatively to changes in human and
climatic conditions.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 Reasons why there are certain structures that is more
vulnerable than the other

1. Location
Other structures are more vulnerable
because they are built near the fault line
that may be damaged when there is an
earthquake, tsunami, landslide and the
likes. You can easily use this knowledge if
you are thinking to buy a house. When you
are in the market for a house, find the
natural hazard disclosure statement in the
disclosure packet. In addition to disclosing
a property’s proximity to flood and fire risk,
there are three earthquake-specific
disclosures:

 proximity to an Earthquake Fault Zone

 disclosure of a Seismic Hazard Zone (landslides and
liquefaction)
 Area of Potential Flooding from dam failure

2. Use of cheap materials

The most dangerous is the use of

non- durable materials of other
companies to save money so the
quality of the structure are unstable
that’s why it is easy to break when
there is an earthquake. We are not
just talking about earthquakes but
also the presence of fire hazard.
Use of cheap materials for building infrastructures can cause the fire to
spread out easily.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 Additional information you might find useful for this lesson

Japan’s ways of preparing their infrastructures for possible earthquakes -

Japan is a country that has experienced more than its fair share of natural
disasters, and in doing so they’ve become one of the best prepared nations on
earth. When you compare the amount of disasters that have hit the nation, plus
the population density, and compare it to the fatality rate, the modern numbers
are actually surprisingly small. The ability to innovate, invest, educate, and learn
from past mistakes has made Japan the most earthquake-ready country in the
world.

1. Earthquake-resistant buildings

Given the regularity of

earthquakes in Japan, all houses are
built to withstand some level of tremor.
Houses in Japan are built to comply with
rigorous earthquake-proof standards
that have been set by law. These laws
also apply to other structures like
schools and office buildings. It’s said
that around 87% of the buildings in
Tokyo are able to withstand
earthquakes.

Many structures are built to become a little more flexible if hit by a tremor,
and some structures are built on Teflon, which allows buildings to move with the
shock, while still others feature inflated, rubber, or fluid-filled bases, which can
absorb shock. Tokyo’s famous Skytree was built to withstand natural disasters by
mimicking the shape of ancient wooden pagodas, which have survived through
centuries of earthquakes.

Because of Japan’s positioning on the globe, it’s rather

partial to reoccurring tremors, as well as more devastating
earthquakes. To prevent further devastation, most buildings
here are built to withstand earthquakes. In fact, the collapse
ratio of buildings in Japan, even against a powerful
earthquake, is actually rather low.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas

 2. Earthquake-ready bullet trains

Japan is a train-dominated
country and their network of
shinkansen (bullet trains) are the
transport of the future, whizzing
across the countryside at an eye-
watering pace. To ensure the safety
of all passengers, the trains are
equipped with earthquake sensors
that are triggered to freeze every
moving train in the country if
necessary. In 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude quake hit Japan, there were 27
moving shinkansen in action. Every single train was triggered by smaller pre-
quakes and stopped before the major quake hit, resulting in zero deaths or even
injuries.

3. Water Discharge Tunnel

One of the most impressive feats

of engineering is Tokyo’s little-known
Water Discharge Tunnel located on the
outskirts of the city, sitting patiently
underneath a soccer field and skate
park. This large hidden tunnel collects
flood waters caused by natural
disasters like cyclones and tsunamis
and safely redistributes the water into
the Edo River. This means if the area is hit with an earthquake and triggers a
tsunami, the city should be spared any major flooding. It took 13 years to build
and cost US$3 billion, but you can’t put a price on how many lives it promises to
save.

Prepared by: Mr. Raymart S. Rosas