Disaster Management and Hazard Exposure

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of Vanuatu's citizens are exposed to natural hazards every year?

81%

64% (correct)

55%

90%

How many earthquakes place an average of 90,000 people at risk in Vanuatu annually?

1 million

250,000

90,000 (correct)

100,000

What is a key factor that contributes to Japan's lower disaster risk despite high exposure to earthquakes?

Reduced public health expenditure

Higher building codes and infrastructure preparedness (correct)

A lower adult literacy rate

Less emphasis on ecosystem protection

Which of the following conditions is NOT included in the adaptive capacities indicator?

Participation in sports Signup and view all the answers

What is the coping capacity index percentage of Vanuatu?

81% Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT used to measure coping capacities?

Economic stability Signup and view all the answers

What does the adaptation process primarily aim to address?

Negative impacts of climate change Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of vulnerability can significantly influence whether an extreme impact is considered a catastrophe?

Preparedness and education levels Signup and view all the answers

Compare Vanuatu's coping capacities to Haiti's during disasters; which statement is correct?

Haiti lacks more coping capacities than Vanuatu. Signup and view all the answers

How do storms impact Vanuatu compared to larger countries?

The entire country is impacted. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects the condition of investment in the context of adaptive capacities?

Public health expenditure Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by a high lack of coping capacities in a country?

Low medical services Signup and view all the answers

What future change could increase the risk to Vanuatu's population?

Rising sea levels Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Vanuatu's citizens have access to sanitation in good times?

57% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does not contribute to the level of susceptibility in a country?

Cultural beliefs Signup and view all the answers

In terms of recovery, how long does the Red Cross usually anticipate for a recovery process?

Months-long Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of the population in Vanuatu that lives in extreme poverty?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as an indicator of adaptation capacity?

Political stability Signup and view all the answers

What access to sanitation percentage does the Philippines have compared to Vanuatu?

74% Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is related to the dependency ratio in assessing vulnerability?

Poverty and dependencies Signup and view all the answers

What is a prominent issue cited by Professor Birkmann when discussing disaster prevention and relief?

Social and governmental failings Signup and view all the answers

What defines a disaster as per the provided content?

A hazard that results in great losses beyond local recovery capabilities Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to identify areas exposed to hazards?

To manage risk and establish safety management activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following natural disasters are Vanuatu particularly at risk from?

Tsunamis, earthquakes, storms, and volcanoes Signup and view all the answers

What does the World Risk Index (WRI) assess?

Global disaster risk from extreme natural events Signup and view all the answers

What is a major factor contributing to Vanuatu's high ranking in disaster risk?

Extreme vulnerability of the society to natural events Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of disaster risk does Vanuatu hold according to the World Risk Report 2014?

36.5 % Signup and view all the answers

How is risk particularly heightened according to the World Risk Index?

When vulnerable societies encounter extreme natural events Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT considered a hazard as per the provided content?

Personal disagreements between individuals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Disasters and Hazards

Disasters are hazards resulting in significant losses, overwhelming local resources for recovery.
Programs and interventions aim to reduce or prevent exposure to hazards.
Hazard exposure is the risk faced by individuals or communities from dangerous events or phenomena.
Identification of hazard-prone areas is vital for effective risk management and safety activities.

Vanuatu's Natural Disaster Risk

Vanuatu ranks as the world's most at-risk country for natural hazards according to the UN University World Risk Index.
Main natural threats include storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
For four consecutive years, Vanuatu has been recognized as the most disaster-prone nation in the World Risk Report.
Other countries at high risk include the Philippines, Tonga, and Guatemala, while Germany and Qatar have the lowest risks.

Risk Assessment and Vulnerabilities

The World Risk Index (WRI) evaluates global disaster risks from extreme natural events.
High vulnerability increases disaster risk, particularly for societies lacking resilience to extreme conditions.
Vanuatu's population of approximately 250,000 faces high exposure, with about 64% at risk annually due to natural hazards.

Coping Capacities

Vanuatu scores poorly on coping capacities, standing at 81% on the index.
Coping capacities refer to resources available during disasters to mitigate damages.
Key indicators include government effectiveness, medical services, and material coverage (e.g., insurance).
Compare with Manila’s better coping ability during Typhoon Haiyan, where Vanuatu's capital faced severe impacts without immediate aid.

Susceptibility Factors

Access to sanitation in Vanuatu is low at 57%, compared to the Philippines at 74%.
About 10% of Vanuatu’s population lives in extreme poverty, and 8% faces chronic undernourishment.
Susceptibility is measured by public infrastructure, nutrition, poverty levels, and economic capacity.

Long-term Adaptation Strategies

Adaptation involves long-term planning and structural changes to address climate change impacts.
Key factors for adaptation include adult literacy, gender equality, public health investment, and socioeconomic conditions.
High vulnerability often leads to repeated disasters unless structural and preparatory measures are improved.

Comparative Resilience

Countries like Japan with high exposure to earthquakes have lower disaster risks due to better preparedness and infrastructure.
Effective disaster risk management is influenced by a society’s vulnerability and preparedness levels.

Conclusion

In understanding disaster risks, proactive adaptation and improvement of coping capacities are critical.
Ongoing monitoring and investment in resilience can mitigate the severe impacts posed by natural hazards in communities like Vanuatu.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the concepts of disaster management and hazard exposure. It delves into how communities can be affected by disasters and the importance of external assistance in recovery. Understanding these topics is crucial to implementing effective interventions and programs for risk reduction.