Do you find any similarities in the

scenarios? Discuss your observations.

EXPOSURE
AND
VULNERABILIT
Y

DISASTER READINESS AND RISK

REDUCTION
Exposure and Vulnerability

– In 2016, the Philippines is ranked as the third country with very high disaster risk based on the World Health Index
calculated for the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security. This is an infamous
recognition of the Philippines as a disaster-stricken country. On average, there are 22 tropical depressions that hit the
country though not all of those bring disaster. There are also earthquakes that hit the country hard, most recently 2013 and
2016. The Visayas region was greatly affected and many properties and infrastructures were destroyed. On the other hand,
the northernmost province of Batanes has been known as the crossroad of typhoons, but every time a typhoon hits its
province it always registers zero casualties. From the data on the Phillipines and the case of Batanes, what would be the
factors that make an area experience or prevent disaster?
What is Vulnerability?

–Vulnerability is defined as “the conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or
processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of
hazards”. Vulnerability is multi-dimensional in its nature, and next to the four dimensions above, some authors also include
cultural and institutional factors. Examples include, but are not limited to; poor design and construction of buildings,
inadequate protection of assets, lack of public information and awareness, high levels of poverty and education, limited
official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, disregard for wise environmental management or weak institutions,
and governance (e.g. including corruption etc.).
–
–Vulnerability is one of the determinants of the effects and impacts of hazards. If the experiences of a certain community to
typhoons have a long history of disasters and failed response, it could learn from it and change its ways of life. Vulnerability
affects how people live, their resources, and their capacity to address hazards.
–
–Vulnerability can also be defined as lack of power to be safe in times of disasters. Disasters might affect the whole country
or community, but its effects and impacts vary. These variations or levels of vulnerability depend on wealth, education,
gender, age, and their social conditions.
Vulnerability of Sectors of Society to Disasters

–The level of suffering in times of disaster differ among different sectors of society. Which sector of the society
suffers the most during a disaster occurrence? Why are some sectors of society more vulnerable than other?
–As a tropical country and due to its geographical location, the Philippines is exposed to different types of
hazards, like typhoons. When a tropical cyclone hits a specific community, the degree or level of vulnerability
varies due to some factors that might affect the capacity and resiliency of different sectors of society.

–The level of vulnerability to a typhoon of illegal settlements in the seaside area is higher
than those settlements located in higher places and gated communities. Poverty is
significant factor in vulnerability and capacity, but it does not necessarily mean that lower-
income families are always vulnerable to hazards. Susceptibility to hazard increases due to
lack of education and training on disaster preparedness. Communities living in rural areas
do not have easy access to information available about disaster readiness and risk
reduction
–The following factors may affect different sectors of society:
–Socio-Economic Factors
–Socio-Economic status or wealth plays a vital role on why some sectors of society are more vulnerable than others.
Rich or developed countries do not suffer as much relative to developing nations when a natural hazard occurs.
Disasters might affect the supply of food and other essential commodities and services of a country.
–The same is true to families whose houses are not compliant to the National Building Code of the Philippines
(materials, structure, ventilation, sanitation, and others). When a strong earthquake hits their location, their houses are
more likely to be affected or destroyed. While families that reside in a structurally sound concrete homes or high-rise
condominium, have lesser vulnerability during earthquakes, fires, or typhoons.
–There are also families that have the budget to buy first aid kits and stock necessary supplies (food and clothing) that
might need during and after a disaster, while others cannot even purchase food thrice a day because of their everyday
financial struggle.
–Government and other non-governmental civic organizations education programs and activities lessen the impacts or
effects of disasters. The quarterly National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) of the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD) together with other government agencies and local government units like the Bureau of Fire Protection,
Municipalities/City/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other relevant agencies help
improve the level of awareness and preparedness of communities when disaster happens.
–Government ganecies also have the primary task of ensuring a safe and resilient environment and community. They are
responsible for planning and creating measures to lessen the impact of disasters on the cities.
–The movement of people from one place ot another is called migration. This shift can be due to different factors, and
displacement also affects the level of vulnerability of people. Migrants, refugees, and internally-displaced persons
(IDP) do not receive the same response and relief from the government. Typically these types of people suffer most
Remember! Internally-displaced persons (IDP) are
persons or group of persons who are forced or obliged to
leave or to flee their homes or places of habitual
residence to avoid effects of armed conflicts, violations
of human right, and natural and man-made disasters; and
have not crossed an internationally recognized state
border.
–Demographic Factors
–Settlement patterns and population density that is both associated with urbanization increase vulnerability to disaster risk. Rapid
urbanization comes with ballooning of population. It has increased the number of people exposed and vulnerable to disaster risk. Due to
its rapidness, unplanned development and poor infrastructure pose a serious threat.
–Urbanization attracts people from surrounding areas making it more difficult for the government to provide adequate resources and
training to increase capacity and prevent disasters. Rural and small communities also have high vulnerability because of lack of
resources. Government budget for rural communities is smaller than for urban areas.
–Age of population or the number of young and seniors living in communities is also a prime factors in determining the level of
vulnerability. These groups are more vulnerable because of their inability to respond and cope with disasters. They require more attention
from the government and society during emergencies. In a typical evacuation scenario, the first to be evacuated are women, children, and
elderly people. People who also suffer from illness are also vulnerable and need immediate attention during emergencies.
–Social groups such as the marginalized (groups excluded or underrepresented in planning and decision-making) are those discriminated
during the post-disaster rescue, relief operations, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts.
–The following are the most commonly identified marginalized or excluded groups in times of emergencies:
 Pregnant women
 Racial or ethnic community
 Mentally and physically challenged individuals
 Tourists
 Migrants
 Prisoners
–These groups of people are not biologically excluded but separated through socially constructed barriers. For example, after a typhoon
hit a coastal community, the pregnant women and the elderly were left in evacuation centers for care and medical assistance. During
typhoon Haiyan “Yolanda” a jail breakout of the inmates was reported in Leyte Provincial Jail. This breakout was done to save their
lives.
Activity 2: Explore Your World!: Using the table below, identify the vulnerable group
according to the following cause and effect.
– Activity No. 3: Analysis: Analyze the following given questions and answer briefly on the space provided.
Activity No. 4: Comparison: Scientific data suggest that super typhoons like Yolanda
(Haiyan) in 2013 are the new normal. Compare and contrast how these super typhoons
could affect the following sectors of society.
Elements Exposed to Hazards

– Exposure can be described as the situation of communities

including its people, residences, infrastructure, and economic
resources that are located in areas that are hazard-prone (UNISDR,
2017). If a typhoon with heavy rainfall hits a residential area, they
may be affected by the flood. Exposure varies from location and
the presence of hazards in the area. The exposure of the
communities around an active Mayon volcano located in Legazpi,
Albay in Bicol Region is different from those who live in the
mountains of Mindanao.
– Below are some examples of elements exposed to hazard:
–Elements Exposed to Particular Hazards!

–The conduct of disaster risk assessment is an essential activity which can practically
determine the different elements exposed to certain types of hazards. The vulnerability of
such elements if not recognized and given action can be considered as an impending disaster.
–In this situation, we can say that without any knowledge on these elements such as housing
infrastructures, material possessions, assets, as well as the people living in particular areas
where there are particular hazards; all are exposed to s specific level of risk and
vulnerability. In most cases, these elements are barely observed and often neglected though
in many instances, these elements are also common causes of many disastrous events which
have claimed people’s lives, properties, and infrastructures.
–Specific Types of Elements Exposed to a Particular Hazards
–An electrical fire is one of the most common disasters which happens in many populated places. In this
instance, people, infrastructures and assets are the most common elements exposed to this particular hazard.
 Electrical gadgets and appliances left unattended
– There were many cases wherein electrical devices and gadgets have been the cause of fire. When overheating
happens in densely populated areas where houses are made of light materials, it is more likely to create a
disastrous situation.
–
–
 Faulty electrical wirings
– Most of the electrical fires happen because of defective wiring. In most cases, non-compliance to standards
were the common reasons for the occurrence of electrical fires.
 Faulty outlets and outdated appliances
– Some fires started because of outdated or poorly maintained old appliances.
 Light fixtures
– Light fixtures such as light bulbs are also subject to electrical fires. Lamps with too high or wrong wattage is
one of the leading causes of electrical fires.
 Extension cords
– Overloaded extension cord is another primary cause of electrical fires.
 Space heater
– Some people with a high-level use of heaters are considered to be a contributing factor to
causes of electrical fires.
 Biological substances and chemicals
– Many people are unknowingly exposed to substances that are hazardous to health which are
usually in the wide range of chemical and biological agents which used in household work
activities or even in the workplace. Many of these substances are volatile and flammable.
Improper containers, wrong handling, storage, or disposal practices can start a fire (though
not of electrical but of chemical or biological origin).
– Types of Vulnerabilities of Elements Exposed to Hazards

 Physical Vulnerability- refers to objects that are susceptible to hazards. This includes classifying the
vulnerability of different elements such as houses, buildings, and infrastructures.

 Social Vulnerability- encompasses identifying people’s capacity to cope with hazards, the ability to form a
structured organization, and creating an implementation of proper disaster risk reduction and management.

 Environmental Vulnerability- describes the potential degradation of the surrounding landscapes including
bodies of land and water, and biodiversity due to hazards. This vulnerability is of great concern because of
the environment’s diverse role to the people and the community.

 Economic Vulnerability- identifies the potential losses of resources of the people and the community. This
is linked to other types of vulnerabilities. Economic losses are incurred when physical disaster occurs.
Destruction of houses, buildings, or infrastructures has a significant effect on the resources of a person,
community, or business.
– Activity No. 3: Analyze certain elements exposed to particular hazards inside your home and write also which type of
hazard it is.
– Scenario Analysis: What do you think will happen to the residence/house when the following hazards described below
take place?
Hazard Vulnerability of Exposed Element (House)

Earthquake

Fire

Flood

Typhoon
Hazard is defined by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNNDRR) as a “process, phenomenon or
human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption
or environmental degradation”. There are three main types of hazards; natural, anthropogenic, and socio-natural.
Natural hazards are predominantly associated with natural processes and phenomena. These hazards are impossible to
prevent. Natural hazards can further be categorized as biological, geological/geophysical, and hydro-meteorological,
depending on its origin.
– Anthropogenic hazards are human-induced hazards, induced entirely or predominantly by human activities and
choices. Technological hazards which are anthropogenic in nature, also may arise directly as a result of the impacts of a
natural hazard event.
– Socio-natural hazards is the combination of anthropogenic and natural factors such as environment degradation and
climate change. It can also happen when a natural hazard interacted with degraded environmental resources. Many
incidents of land subsidence, flooding, and drought can be attributed to the interaction of a natural hazard and a
degraded environment.
– Socio-natural hazards is the combination of anthropogenic and natural factors such as environment
degradation and climate change. It can also happen when a natural hazard interacted with degraded
environmental resources. Many incidents of land subsidence, flooding, and drought can be attributed to the
interaction of a natural hazard and a degraded environment.

– Activity : Explore Your World!: Identify the types of hazards for each of the following situations. Write your answer on the
space before the number.
–
_______________________1. Mayon Volcano eruption
– _______________________2. Earthquake in Japan
– _______________________3. Sinkhole in Florida
– _______________________4. 1720 feet tall Tsunami
– _______________________5. Terrorist Incidents
– _______________________6. Civil disorder
– _______________________7. Blizzards
– _______________________8. Drought
– _______________________9. Tephra fall

– _______________________10. Avalanche
Hazard Profiling
– Profiling hazards is important in predicting the possible disasters that a certain hazard can
bring. They are useful in planning for a disaster especially if the same impacts are likely to
bring by a hazard that frequents a certain place. This step addresses the scope and extent of
damage that a particular hazard could cause. Hazarad profiling also determines the type of
impact a hazard will bring.Hazards can be profiled in different ways; magnitude of event
(high- scale or low-scale), frequency (number of times in a year), duration (short-term or
long-term), and causality effects (direct or indirect).
Hazard Profiling (Magnitude)
– The magnitude of the hazard can be assessed by the measurements obtained from scientific
instruments.  Sometimes, scaling can vary depending on the reference tables used per country. For
example:
 Magnitude 5.0 above is considered high scale in earthquakes based on the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
 Floods reaching 1.0 meter is likewise considered high-scale.
 Typhoons with winds up to 150 kph are deemed strong and powerful.
Hazard Profiling (Frequency)
– The frequency of the hazard to occur in an area is important because it tells its(area) proneness to hazard. This is
usually, but not always, associated with the area’s geographical location. On Earth or its topographical condition.
For example, a coastal community may be frequented by storm surges if it belongs to the typhoon belt. Coastal
community may be frequented by flooding, and not storm surges, if its topography or level of ground is lower
than the sea level. Usually, government agencies record frequencies of natural hazard occurrences to see any
patterns to serve as tools in preparing for a disaster.
Hazard Profiling (Duration)

– The impact of hazards varies in duration. The assessment of the duration is either short or long. In earthquakes
for example, the length of shaking, trembling, and even the after-shocks are recorded. If this event happened in a
span of more than a minute, the earthquake is deemed to be long. Another example is the volcanic eruption that
can last for days. The assessment of this duration can have implications on how extensive preparatory activities
should be and even the post disaster plans.
Hazard Profiling (Casualties)
– The impact of hazards can also be assessed based on the causality of events, that is, whether the exposed element
receives the likely disaster directly or indirectly. Sometimes, other elements that are not visibly present in the site
of event also suffer some degree of consequences because all communities interact within and outside their
territory.
–
Hazard Profiling (Casualties)
– The impact of hazards can also be assessed based on the causality of events, that is, whether
the exposed element receives the likely disaster directly or indirectly. Sometimes, other
elements that are not visibly present in the site of event also suffer some degree of
consequences because all communities interact within and outside their territory.
–
Impacts of Hazards
– The impacts of hazards are the likely outcome of disaster. The exposed elements will initially receive all the
negative impacts. In some cases, however, not all the impacts of hazards are adverse. Some natural hazards
result in changes that may be beneficial or supportive of the other existing elements:
– 1. Physical Elements
– 2. Socioeconomic Elements
– 3. Environmental Elements
Impacts of Hazards (Physical)
– Death of people, destruction and loss of vital infrastructure like transport system , roads,
bridges, power, lines and communication lines, wide spread loss of housing
Impacts of Hazards (Socio-economic)
– The positive impacts of hazards on the socioeconomic elements may be in the form of introducing new habits,
practices, systems, or values that may be geared toward the values of resiliency and recovery. The impacts will
induce adaptation on the part of the affected community. They will tend to create new operations or ways of
living that can withstand the next possible occurrence of the same hazard. Hazards can also bring negative
impacts to these types of elements. In the economic point of view, areas most frequented by hazards usually
would have lower standards of living or poor living conditions. One reason is their inability to join in market
competitions given limited or constrained resources. They may not be considered in the network of trade
because of their proneness to a hazard.
Impacts of Hazards (Environmental)
– Just like other exposed elements, perhaps the initial impact of hazard to the ecosystems and other organisms in
them may be disastrous. However, in some cases, again due to adaptation, or because natural hazards are
natural events and hence part of the natural cycles on Earth, the occurrence may benefit certain components of
Earth. For instance, the ashes spewed out during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo revealed to have made some
soils in Zambales fertile.
Your Reflections:
Explain the impact of various hazards on people and the environment.
Activity For each of the hazards below, state one possible impact/effect on health, property, and environment. Provide
examples and also answer the question below.
Hazard Impact on Health Impact on Property Impact on Examples
Environment
Volcanic eruption

Tsunami

Explain the
Virus
impact of
various hazards
Nuclear Radiation
on people and
the
environment.
Earthquake
P.T
Evacuation Plan: An evacuation plan lays out how to exit a building/facility/house safely during an
emergency. Evacuations are more common than many people realize. They are most frequently the results of fires and
floods. Major storms such as hurricanes cause often result in mass-scale evacuations. In addition, hundreds of times a year,
transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing many people to leave their homes and places of
work.
–Scenario: Your community is located in a so-called catch-basin area in your community. When a typhoon or tropical
depression comes with heavy rains, your community easily submerges into water. A lot of people in your community
suffer every rainy season. In order to mitigate the effects of rains and flood in your community you have created an
evacuation plan.
–You will create/draw an evacuation plan and evacuation procedures based on your house structure to help your family
in times of heavy rains and flood. You will submit your evacuation plan on a one long-sized bond paper. Here is an
example of an evacuation plan: