Module 4

LESSON
2
Natural Disaster

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• describe the impacts of natural disasters in

environmental change;
• explain the effect of natural disaster in the aspect of food
& nutrition; &
• identify the association of lifestyle change & effects of
natural disasters.

Introduction:
Hello, how are you? Hope you are doing good! Welcome to Lesson 2 of Module
4. In this lesson, you are about to learn what are the effects of natural disaters in the
environment and the lives of people. Moreover, there are some tasks that you need
to accomplish so that you will grasp the gist of this topic. So are you ready? Alright,
let’s begin!

Activity:

Based on your knowledge, list two natural disasters that happened recently in the
Philippines. Identify the type of natural disaster, the location where it happened, and the
date/month when it happened.
Analysis:

From your given answers from the ACTIVITY, relate your answer to the
question. Is it possible to have a lesser damage from the mentioned natural
disasters? Can you give an example how the damages can be lessened?

Abstraction:

Natural disasters are catastrophic events with atmospheric, geological, and hydrological
origins. Example of these are droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and landslides (Figure 1 & 2).
These disasters often create damages, like fatalities, injuries, diseases, and other negative physical and
mental health effects. Natural disasters also result in social grievances, scarcity of resources, and
migration of people.

Figure 1. A hotel building in Kidapawan City that Figure 2. A flooded downtown area in Tugegarao City is
crumbled after the magnitude 6.5 quake that hit North flooded as the Cagayan River swells.
Cotabato Thursday morning of October 31, 2019
Photo retrieved from: Inquirer
Photo retrieved from: Minda News
 TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTERS

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural hazards because of its geographic location. There
are various types of natural disasters (Figure 3). In the Philippines, the common natural disasters are
typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and fires.

EFFECTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS

The aftermath of natural disasters gives an additional problem to the community or even
government. It disrupts the lives of the people by displacements, destruction of livelihoods and
property, deaths, and injuries. Other than that, it also has a huge impact in the environment.
IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTER IN AN INDIVIDUAL
The impact of natural disaster in an individual level can often be felt physically, mentally, and
emotionally. Natural disaster does not just cause physical injury and destruction of property, it also
causes loss of resources. And because of that, it usually leads to population migration.

IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTER ON A COMMUNITY

Every time a natural disaster hits, communities usually loose so much in economic resources.
Establishments and houses are damaged. Recovery in a community becomes difficult. However, there
are some communities who find an opportunity to rebuild their community after the disastrous event.
There are also times that a certain percentage on the population will migrate or forced to migrate to a
place where people feel safe and secured. Often times, people migrate to urbanized area where
livelihood, clean water, and food source is available.

IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTER ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Natural disasters have positive and negative impacts in our environment, it can either totally
destroy the environment or reconstruct it after the disastrous event. Natural disasters can defoliate the
forest, destroy the habitat of various species, cause erosion in riverbanks, and a whole lot of more. In
an urban landscape, infrastructures and homes can also be damaged. Despite the damages that it
causes the environment, natural disasters are not just considered as endings, but also beginnings. A
second chance to begin again and reconstruct the surrounding to avoid the same disastrous event from
happening.

IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTER ON FOOD PRODUCTION

Agriculture is greatly affected by natural disasters. It has an effect on livelihoods and food
security. According to a study done in 2015, droughts have caused a great loss and damage, and 80%
of it affected the agriculture sector, especially the livestock and crop production. Floods also have
caused more than half of the total damage and loss to crops. The fisheries were overwhelmingly
affected by tsunamis and storms such as hurricanes and cyclones. The study clearly depicts that natural
hazards, specifically those extreme weather events, regularly impacts the agriculture and hamper the
eradication of hunger, poverty and the achievement of sustainable development.
Application:

Read the excerpt from the study published in 2018 by Bhopal et al. Based
on the excerpt, is it possible to prevent migration from happening? How
do you think we can prevent the drastic change in lifestyle after a natural
disaster?

Syria is a semi-arid country which has suffered from increasing regularity of droughts
since the 1960s. The economy has been heavily reliant upon the agricultural sector, which contributed
around a quarter of GDP and over a third of employment of the work force. During the drought in 2007–
2010, poor soil conditions meant seeds were either not planted or failed to germinate, resulting in food
shortages that drove up food prices, including the cost of animal feed. In order to survive many farmers
had to sell off their assets, including livestock, thus losing their livelihoods. Many people migrated to
urban centers to access food and fresh water which further increased pressure on public services. The
subsequent water scarcity and economic depression contributed to decreased agricultural productivity, a
weakened economy and further food insecurity.

Disasters and food security: The impact on health (2018)

Bhopal, A., Blanchard, K., Weber, R., & Murray, V.
Assessment:

Modified TRUE OR FALSE. Write the word TRUE is the underlined word fits the statement. If
NOT, provide the correct answer.

1. Migration is the movement of either people or animals

fromone area to another.
2. People often move to rural areas after being affected
by anatural disaster.
3. Volcanic eruption is an example of a natural disaster.

4. Natural disasters can totally destroy the environment or

reconstruct it after the disastrous event.
5. Fisheries are greatly affected by drought.

Excellent! You just finished lesson 2 of this module! Should you have any questions or
queries regarding this lesson, please do not hesitate to reach out to your instructors.

Are you ready to take your next lesson? Good luck and enjoy reading.