Keirstine Honey Lim

BSDC 4-A

Effective disaster management plays a very important role in keeping our communities
safe. In the Philippines, we are one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
Located along the Pacific ring of fire and at the center of a typhoon belt, we are very
vulnerable to the major disasters that include typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, etc.

In our country, the role of the media in disaster reduction is multifaceted. Media,
including television, radio, newspapers, and digital platforms, plays a very significant
role in informing, educating, and empowering individuals and communities to effectively
prepare for and respond to disasters.

One of the key roles that the media plays in reducing disaster risk is by providing timely
and accurate information during disasters. When a disaster strikes, access to reliable
information is very important for individuals and communities to make informed
decisions about how to protect themselves and their assets.

During the occurrence of typhoon Odette, the media did a commendable role by
disseminating early warnings through diverse mediums, contributing significantly to
public education and crisis awareness. In comparison, way back 2013 for typhoon
Yolanda and during the 2021 typhoon Odette that both hit Cebu, there was a difference
between the number of casualties logged. According to the Office of the Civil Defence
405 died and 66 were missing after Odette compared with more than 6,000 lost due to
Haiyan.

On the 8th of November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda with the international name, Haiyan, hit
the Philippines, causing massive damage and affecting more than 14 million people. It
was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded in history. Though the
intensity of the typhoon itself was not directly caused by lack of precautions, some
critics pointed out that we should have been prepared for such extreme events since we
already know that we are a disaster prone country. Some contributing factors cited were
inadequate urban planning, weak building structures, and insufficient infrastructure
resilience.

In terms of the disaster response that time, some areas experienced delays in receiving
assistance, which prompted discussions about the coordination and effectiveness of
local government responses. Many international countries and various humanitarian
organizations also mobilized significant aid and support in the aftermath of Typhoon
Haiyan. However, challenges in the immediate delivery of aid to affected areas were
reported, raising questions about the efficiency of the response.
Keirstine Honey Lim
BSDC 4-A

During mid-December 2021, Super Typhoon Rai which is also known as Odette in the
Philippines, was the 15th storm that hit our country and was the strongest that year with
winds estimated at 150 mph. It affected more than 16 million people and caused severe
damage to a variety of infrastructure and socio-economic sectors, thus disrupting the
ability of local governments to provide the needed services.

With regards to the disaster response, the Government of Philippines led humanitarian
efforts in affected regions. Our country welcomed international humanitarian assistance
and invited the humanitarian community to scale-up collective efforts to save lives.
According to the United Nations and Development Programme (UNDP), the much
improved early warning system and a faster disaster response led to a lower number of
casualties reported than the previous disasters that hit the Philippines.

When it comes to economic progress, regions with greater levels of development are
more equipped with the necessary infrastructure and resources to handle potential risks
and dangers. For example, developed areas prioritize the construction of reliable
transportation networks, well-equipped healthcare facilities, and efficient systems for
handling disasters.

Similarly, localities with higher economic development are more likely to have access to
better education and healthcare services. This enables them to be more informed about
potential risks and hazards while also having the means to protect themselves.

On a personal level, individuals with higher income levels are generally less vulnerable
to risks and hazards. They can afford insurance coverage for their homes or businesses
against natural disasters or accidents. Moreover, they have greater access to quality
healthcare services that can help them recover from health-related risks more
effectively.

While the role of media in disaster preparedness is crucial for providing timely
information, raising awareness, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, it is
very essential for us not to overlook the potential vulnerabilities associated with specific
industries or technologies within highly developed regions. Therefore policymakers
should strive for balanced economic growth that takes into account potential risks and
hazards to ensure sustainable development.
Keirstine Honey Lim
BSDC 4-A

there are aspects related to disaster preparedness that have been subjected for
analysis such as the lack of

This time, communities were prepared.

In our country, the media serves as a backbone in disseminating early warnings, public
education, and crisis education.

By disseminating timely and accurate information, the media can help to raise
awareness, build resilience, and minimize the impact of disasters on human lives and
livelihoods.

During the occurrence of typhoon Odette, the media did a commendable role by
disseminating early warnings through diverse mediums, contributing significantly to
public education and crisis awareness

.point in disseminating early warnings. It was informed in different mediums about the
upcoming strong typhoon.

The Philippines is located in a region that is much prone to typhoons and earthquakes.
With that, we should have effective disaster management to help build our nation’s
resilience in times of natural and man-made disasters. During typhoon Odette,

Its importance lies in its ability to save lives, reduce damage to properties and
infrastructure as well as promoting quick recovery to the affected communities.

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-super-typhoon-rai-odette-humanitarian-
needs-and-priorities-revision

https://actionaid.org/sites/default/files/00-aaip_yolanda_rte_-_final_report_-_march_14.p
df

https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/super-typhoon-odette-rai/

https://www.undp.org/philippines/blog/typhoon-odettes-catastrophe-case-dinagat-island
s-province
Keirstine Honey Lim
BSDC 4-A