DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION

“BASIC CONCEPT OF DISASTER AND DISASTER RISK”

Lesson 1

NAME: ____________________________________________ SECTION:

_______________________
SUBJECT TEACHER: _________________________________ DATE:
__________________________

Disasters are everywhere, like a slip and fall accident, road accident, electric shock,
house fire or major calamities due to natural hazards like earthquakes, typhoons and
landslides or catastrophic events due to human-induced hazards like terrorism or war.
In this chapter, we will discuss what is a disaster and its difference to disaster risk
as well as how they are related. Knowing these concepts in your everyday routine,
may save your life!

Concept of Disaster

Concept of Disaster
Risk

Nature of
Disasters

Effects of
Disasters

LESSONS and COVERAGE

image © google

Scan the QR Code in the separate box to the right. What do you feel
after watching the video? Write down some of your thoughts below.

LET’S REVIEW 10 minutes

Scan me!

General Chemistry 2 | 11
 ACTIVITY NO. 1 5 minutes

DIRECTION: In this activity, recall everything you

have learned before this lesson. Answer the first and
second column questions – What I know about disaster
and disaster risk; and What I want to know about
disaster and disaster risk.

MELCs
 Explain the meaning of disaster.
 Differentiate the risk factors underlying disasters
 Describe the effects of disasters on one’s life
 Analyze disaster from the different perspectives (physical, psychological, socio-cultural,
economic, political, and biological).

OBJECTIVES:
❑ Differentiate disaster and disaster risk;
❑ Discuss the different risk factors underlying disasters and differentiate them;
❑ Describe the effects of disasters on one’s life; and
❑ Analyze disaster from the different perspectives (physical, psychological, socio-cultural,
economic, political, and biological).
TARGETS

ACTIVITY NO. 2 25 minutes DISASTER AND

DISASTER RISKS EXPLAINED
Directions: Read the following passage.

Figure 1.1 A slip and fall accident (disaster) which may cause injury
may be due to various hazards such as a slippery banana peel, scattered
marbles or slippery or wet floor.

General Chemistry 2 | 12
Figure 1.2 The hazard in a road accident
(disaster) which causes injury or death to
pedestrians are moving vehicles along the
roads.

Figure 1.3 The main causes of electric shock

(disaster) especially to innocent kids are faulty
appliances, damaged or frayed cords or
extension leads, electrical appliances coming
in contact with water and incorrect or
deteriorated household wiring.

Figure 1.4 Earthquakes may produce different

types of hazards like ground shaking, liquefaction,
tsunami, ground rupture and landslides. The 7.2
magnitude earthquake which rocked Bohol,
Philippines on Oct 15, 2013 resulted to about 200
people killed and considerable damage to roads,
houses, buildings and heritage churches.

General Chemistry 2 | 13
 Figure 1.5 Tropical cyclones or typhoons bring
hazards such as floods and strong winds.
Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name:
Ketsana) ravaged Luzon, submerging areas in
Metro Manila in floods at record-breaking levels
on September 2009. . From the total of affected
population, 464 were killed, 529 injured, and 37
were missing. Furthermore, a total of 15,798
families or 70,124 people took shelter in 244
evacuation centers. The damages to
infrastructure and agriculture was estimated at a
cost of P11 billion.

DISASTER VS HAZARD

A disaster or “kalamidad” in Filipino is “a sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss,
or destruction. (Merriam-Webster). The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR 2015) defines a disaster as “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society
due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of vulnerability and exposure, leading to widespread
human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.”
A “hazardous event” is “the occurrence of a natural or human-induced phenomenon in a
particular place during a particular period of time due to the existence of a hazard. (UNISDR 2015). A
“hazardous event” becomes a disaster when there are losses such as injuries, deaths, damaged property,
loss opportunities, economic losses or damaged environment. The keyword in the definition of a disaster
is “LOSSES.” Disasters occur because a hazard is triggered. A hazard or “peligro” in Filipino is “a
potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity that may cause the loss of life or
injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation” (UNISDR 2015).
Disasters can affect an individual or a community. The magnitude of a disaster and its impact
depends on the hazard that triggered the disaster. From an individual level, the losses maybe loss of
income, or property injury or even death. From a community level, a disaster may involve a population of
people who were displaced, large number of deaths or millions of pesos of losses in property or income.
From the previous figures, let us identify the hazards that may have resulted to the disasters:
 Slip & fall accidents are caused by wet or uneven floors and scattered objects on floors.
 Road accidents are caused by moving vehicles.
 Electric shocks are caused by faulty wiring or unsafe handling of electric gadgets.
 Buildings collapse occur due to earthquake ground shaking.
 Floods are caused by heavy rainfall or overflowing river or water storage.

ACTIVITY NO. 3 30 minutes

DIRECTION: Identify the hazards that each icon portrays and the possible harmful effect (disaster) it
may cause. Write it in the space provided.

General Chemistry 2 | 14
1. Physical
Hazard, A slip/trip accident. It may lead to having injuries (the type of injury depends on the height of
the fall)
2. _Physical Hazard, A slip and fall accident. Depending on the height of the fall, It may lead to having
major injuries and possible death.
3. _Physical Hazard, A Equipment malfunction accident. It may lead to serious back injuries, and
depending on the height of the fall possibly even death.
4. _Physical Hazard, A slip and fall accident. These type of accidents are very common and may lead to
having scratches on whatever part of the body that u have fallen on to. Most likely on the knees and
arms, and theres a chance that if your head took damage, it may cause serious brain damage and
possibly a concussion.
5. _Physical Hazard, A electrical shock accident. These types of accidents are common among children,
it may cause health problems in the future, it can leave permanent scars, and if the electrical current
goes through your eyes, you maybe left with cataracts.
6. Safety Hazard, Car accidents. This can possibly lead to having major injuries and possibly death.
7. _Psychological Hazard, House bombing. This can lead to serious __harm to the environment, the
surrounding community, and the people near the bomb site.
8. Physical Hazard, Dog bite Accident. If the dog has rabies and the person that was bitten was not
threated immediately it can lead to serious brain damage and death.
9. Physical Hazard, Car accident. This type of accident may lead to serious injury and depending on the
level of impact, death.
10. _Natural Hazard, Flooding. __It may lead to environmental illness, environmental damage, Damage
to buildings and such, It can also cause potential sicknesses to the people.
11. _Safety Hazard, Tripping accident. It may lead to having scratches and scars in the should, knees, and
face. It can also lead to possibly having a concussion if the impact was too hard.
12. _Natural disaster, Earthquake. This type of disaster can cause serious harm to the people leading to a
massive amount of injuries and possibly death if not handled well. (It depends on the magnitude of the
earthquake)
13. _Safety Hazard, Collapsed Building accident. If close to the building that is being destroyed.
depending on the height of the building, it may cause serious injuries and a high chance of death.
____________________________________________________________________________
14. _Chemical Hazard, Radioactive leakage. This type of disaster can lead to explosions, can cause major
harm to your health and a lot more.
15. Physical Hazard, Bombing accident. This type of disaster can lead to serious injury and death.
16. _Natural Hazard, Tsunami. This type of disaster can cause serious damage to buildings, surroundings
in many ways and can end lives.

General Chemistry 2 | 15
17. _Safety Hazard, Plane crash. This type of disaster can end lives, it is a serious type of disaster that
must be avoided at all cost.
18. Natural Hazard, Tornado. This type of hazard can destroy surroundings in a harmful way, especially if
the hurricane is aggressive. It can also seriously injure people in many ways possible.
19. Natural Hazard, Earthquake. This type of earthquake can seriously injure people specifically in the
legs. It can change landscapes of roads, mountains, and a lot more.
____________________________________________________________________________
20. Natural hazard, Rock slide. This type of hazard is Very dangerous because it is unexpected. With that
being said, it can cause major injuries to people, and can end lives.
21. Natural Hazard, Lightning strike. This type of hazard can cause explosions, set fire, and can impart
electrical charges on metal pipes. It can end lives and injure people.
22. _Natural Hazard, Tropical Cyclone. This type of hazard, Especially when the winds are very strong,
can remove roofs, make trees fly, and a lot more. This type of hazard can seriously injure a person in
many ways.
23. Natural Hazard, Typhoon. This type of hazard, especially when the storm signal is at level 4, can
seriously harm people in not 1 but many ways. It can you’re your surroundings, can lead people to
have illness, can damage supplies, and can possibly end lives.
24. _Natural Hazard, Volcanic Eruption. This type of hazard is very dangerous, it can cause harm to the
health of the people affected by the explosion, it can destroy surroundings/ the environment by setting
it on fire by the lava being released by the volcano. It can also end the lives of people that are living in
the affected area if not evacuated. People not affected by the volcanic eruption may still be affected
by the ash fall of the volcano which if inhaled can lead to
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis._
25. _Natural Hazard, Typhoon flooding. This type of hazard may lead to having sickness, possible
drowning, and a lot more.
26. _Chemical Hazard, Wildfire. This type of hazard is dangerous not only to our health, but to future
generations as well. Because it damages the ozone layer and it decreases the oxygen percentage and
increases the global warm rate at a high level.
____________________________________________________________________________

VULNERABILITY AND DISASTER RISK

Not all hazards result to a disaster. Only when a person, community or structure are vulnerable to
the hazard that a disaster may occur. The magnitude of the disaster which can be measured by the losses
(lives, injuries, damaged structures, loss income, etc.) depends on the vulnerability. Vulnerability or
“bulnerabilidad” or “kahinaan” in Filipino is associated with “the conditions determined by physical,
social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a
community to the impact of hazards” (UNISDR 2015).
The various vulnerability factors will be discussed in detail later. However, in the previous figures
on hazard & disaster, what are the vulnerable elements and what are the vulnerabilities that may have
caused the disaster?
 Slip & fall accidents: People with poor eye sight, physically impaired or senior citizens, Type of
footwear (high heels), Inattentive with surroundings
 Road accidents: People with poor eye sight, physically impaired or senior citizens, Children,
People not using pedestrian lanes or following traffic signals
 Electric shocks –Kids, No safety protection on electric gadgets
 Buildings collapse – Poorly built houses and buildings, Buildings near faults
 Floods – Low lying areas or flood plains, clogged drainage

When a hazard is triggered and a person, community or structure (which are the exposed
elements) are vulnerable to the hazard, a disaster may occur as shown in Figure 1.6.

General Chemistry 2 | 16
 Figure 1.6 The impact of disasters depends on the hazard and vulnerability

A disaster due to landslide (hazard) occurs because people (Exposed elements) settle in unsafe
areas (vulnerability) like unstable slopes. Structures (Exposed elements) that are not designed to resist
earthquakes (vulnerability) are highly vulnerable to damage or collapse due to earthquakes (hazard).
Communities (Exposed elements) near coastal areas (vulnerability) without early warning system and
tsunami disaster mitigation structures are highly vulnerable to a tsunami (hazard). Communities (Exposed
elements) in low-lying areas (vulnerability) are highly vulnerable to flooding (hazard) due to intense
rainfall.

Disaster and Disaster Risk are two terms that must be distinguished from each other. After the
event, a disaster may occur and the losses like total number of deaths, injuries, damaged structures,
displaced people and damaged properties can be determined.

Disaster risk is “considered to be a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability. It is normally

expressed as a probability of loss of life, injury or destroyed or damaged assets which could occur to a
system, society or a community in a specific period of time” (UNISDR 2015). Hence, the losses in
disaster risk are predictions only if the hazard occurs. The predicted losses are a result of an assessment of
the hazard and vulnerability. Hence, in a disaster, the losses are after the event, while in disaster risk, the
losses are estimates only if the event occurs or before the event as shown in Figure 1.7.

General Chemistry 2 | 17
 Figure 1.7 Disaster and Disaster Risk

Figure 1.8 below, show the relationship between hazard and vulnerability. The intersection of the
two circles represent the disaster risk which can be expressed in terms of losses. The magnitude of the
hazard (example: amount of earth that may fall due to the landslide) increases the disaster risk. The
vulnerability can be express in terms of population or number of houses (settlement in on or below
unstable slopes) exposed to the hazard. The larger the vulnerable exposure the higher the risk.

To reduce the impact of a

disaster, we can avoid or manage the
hazard or reduce the vulnerability.
Some hazards like slippery floors or
faulty wiring can be avoided or
managed. But some natural hazards like
earthquakes and typhoons cannot be
managed or avoided. We can only
reduce the effect of natural hazards by
disaster risk reduction.

Disaster risk reduction (DRR)

is “the concept and practice of reducing
disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including
through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of
land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events” (UNISDR 2009).
The new definition of disaster risk reduction is “the policy objective aimed at preventing new and
reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contributes to strengthening
resilience” (UNISDR 2015). DRR strategies can be classified into three general categories (1) Avoid the

General Chemistry 2 | 18
hazard, (2) manage the hazard, and (3) Reduce vulnerability. Figure 1.9 presents these three strategies for
a slip accident.

Figure 1.9 DRR Strategies in Daily Life

One effective DRR strategy is to avoid the

hazard (Figure 1.10). As you can see in the
figure when the hazard is avoided the
intersection between the hazard circle and
vulnerability circle is reduced meaning less
possible losses. Relocation of households
from the unsafe areas prevents losses in
case a landslide occurs.

Figure 1.10. Avoid the Hazard

Another DRR strategy is to manage the hazard (Figure 1.11). When the hazard is managed the
possibility of the hazard being triggered is reduced and. the intersection between the hazard circle and
vulnerability circle is reduced meaning less possible losses. Protection of unstable slopes using barriers
and vegetation reduces the possible occurrence of landslides.

General Chemistry 2 | 19
 Figure 1.11. Manage the hazard

Another general DRR strategy is to reduce vulnerability to the hazards. When the vulnerability is
reduced by adding a fence or wall to prevent the falling earth reaching the settlement, the intersection
between the hazard circle and vulnerability circle is reduced meaning less possible losses (Figure 1.12)

Figure 1.12. Reduce Vulnerability

Disaster risk reduction starts with the individual. Everybody should be “safety conscious” in
everyday living. One should always “think safety first” so that accidents in daily life can be avoided.
When an individual is safe, he/she is better prepared for bigger disasters.

Figure 1.12. Think Safety

ACTIVITY NO. 4 30 minutes

General Chemistry 2 | 20
 DIRECTION: With the same figure as Activity No. 2, suggest DRR measures on how to reduce
the vulnerability or manage the hazard for each figure.

1. _Make sure to wipe the floor properly or pick any unnecessary trash because this can cause
accidents.
2. _Make sure to add barriers to avoid this type of Hazards.
3. Make sure to check if the ladders have no defects to avoid this type of hazard.
4. _Make sure to add a sign that indicates “wet floor, be careful” or wipe the floor to avoid slipping.
5. _To avoid this or to reduce this type of hazard, If the plug is not used then add a tape or try to
block it using any type of object. If it is wet, then try to add a sign that it is wet. If there is a child
then the best possible solution for this is to block the station when not in use.
6. _To avoid car crashes, make sure to first follow the rule book. Make sure to use your seatbelt at all
cost to atleast reduce the impact.
7. _To avoid this type of hazard, try to create a bunker to avoid any type of injuries or death.
8. This type of hazard can be avoided if the dogs are properly trained and if the humans that
approach a dog are not threatening the dog in someway that they can cause irritation to the animal.
9. To avoid/reduce this type of hazard, try to look at your left and right before crossing the road. Try
to maintain a certain speed limit to avoid bumping to a car or any type of vehicle. Try to learn
about road signals to signify the driver if u were _to cross a highway or a lane.
10. Clean your surroundings, especially your canals to at least reduce the possible chances of flooding
happening
11. _Try to pick up any unnecessary objects to avoid tripping.
12. _This hazard is unavoidable… But you can reduce the possibility of it splitting apart if the house
had a strong foundation.
13. _This type of hazard is avoidable if you try to stay away from big buildings. This can also be
avoided if building check-ups are observed regularly.
14. _This type of hazard is avoidable or can be reduced if security is strict. This can also be avoided if
the containers for radioactive chemicals are regularly being changed or upgraded into newer better
ones.
15. _This type of reduced can be avoided if security is strict and the government is observing the
movement of the people.
16. _This type of hazard cannot be avoided unless if they make all the houses wave proof or
something close to a powerful aquarium tank just like the house of the squirrel in spongebob.
17. _This type of hazard can be avoided/ reduced if they avoid flights during terrible weathers.
18. _This type of hazard cannot be avoided but we can reduce the no. of injuries by following the
protocols.
19. __This type of hazard cannot be avoided
20. __This type of hazard can be avoided if people don’t cut down trees, if they regularly check if
there are defects that can cause harm in the future.
21. _This type of hazard cannot be avoided but the impact can be reduced by not making your house
either out of wood or metal.
22. _This type of hazard can be avoided if you regularly check the durability of your rooftop
especially if the shape of your rooftop has a triangular shape. Rather than having a triangular
shaped rooftop, just have a flat headed one and use cement rather than using tiles.___
23. _This type of hazard cannot be avoided but the impact of it can be reduced if the people follow
protocols
24. _This type of hazard cannot be avoided but the chances of it happening can be reduced by finding
ways on how to cool down a volcano. If it has signs that Its about to explode, leave the affected
area immediately.
25. _Flooding can be reduced if the people clean their cannals/drainage systems.
26. _Wildfire can be avoided if we can avoid lighting it up on fire y either messing around or having a
picnic in the forest or not fixing or stuff or leaving it behind.

ACTIVITY NO. 5 20 minutes

General Chemistry 2 | 21
DIRECTION: Safety/Disaster Slogan. Express a catchy slogan that promotes ‘safety or disaster
awareness’ with your original poster. Present this in class. Use A4 size paper and any medium
(crayons, colored pencils, pencil, pens or digital art using software).

General Chemistry 2 | 22
General Chemistry 2 | 23
 ACTIVITY NO. 5 20 minutes

DIRECTION: Hazards at Home. Observe objects in your house that can become a hazard. How can
this object become a hazard and lead to harmful effects to you and your family? What should you do to
avoid the possible harmful effect or disaster? You may take photos of your home or draw sketches to
show the hazard. This can be presented similar to Figure 1.14 as poster printed in A4 paper. Watch the
videos for your guidance: Related Videos:

 Spot the hazard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sekwr3qlS1E

 Hazards at the workplace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6_6N0m9H1I
 Hazard Blind Spots - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ucHKl5dr8

“Hospitality in Disaster Readiness is crucial. It is in a way a

tool to facilitate good relations in times of calamities. Disasters
do not confer only in physical forms but also attack the victim
psychologically, HOSPITALITY mitigates this risk.”

How will
hospitality, as a hallmark, be a
factor in mitigating risk?

____It is a factor especially when trying to comfort traumatized victims especially in times of hardships.
Especially to those that suffered a lot, they need someone to comfort them, they need a shoulder to lean
on. So Hospitality is a very important factor when mitigating risk.

CHECK YOURSELF

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is a serious disruption of the functioning community or a widespread human, material, economic, or environmental
losses.
a. Vulnerability c. Disaster Risk
b. Disaster d. Hazard
2. It is the chance or likelihood of suffering harm and loss as a result of a hazardous event.
a. Vulnerability c. Disaster Risk
b. Disaster d. Hazard

3. It is a set of prevailing or consequential conditions, which adversely affect the community's ability to prevent,
mitigate, prepare for and respond to hazardous events.
a. Vulnerability c. Disaster Risk
b. Disaster d. Hazard

General Chemistry 2 | 24
4. Disaster is frequently described as a result of various condition except ________. 
a. Exposure to hazards. c. Having enough capabilities.
b. Conditions of vulnerability present. d. Insufficient capacity or measures to cope with
the disaster.

5. It is a situation or occurrence with capacity to bring damages to lives, properties, and the environment.

a. Hazard c. Element at Risk

b. Capacity d. Vulnerability

ACTIVITY NO. 6

Disasters are There are some types

How dangerous are
dangerous that are dangerous.
disasters?
And there are ways
that we can prevent
those disasters from
happening

General Chemistry 2 | 25
General Chemistry 2 | 26