Disaster Perspectives

Disasters From Different Perspectives

• Natural disasters can be looked at from different points of view.
• You are expected to identify the different perspectives on disasters upon completion of this lesson.
• Be able to explain different disaster perspectives.
• Show how to formulate helpful methods to face different disasters.
• You should be able to manifest readiness to face possible disasters

Physical Perspective

• Calamities are phenomena causing great physical damage to community infrastructure, people, and properties.
• These effects are easily measured and the most common.
• Natural disasters generally affect physical infrastructural facilities and agricultural productivity.
• Natural disasters can lead to loss of life and cause damage to property.
• The magnitude of the disaster, geography, and recovery efforts influence the effects of a disaster.
• Reducing the immediate effects of a disaster is important.
• Physical disaster effects include injuries, physical disabilities or illness, sanitation issues, and damage to infrastructure.

Psychological Perspective

• Disaster victims may suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other serious mental health conditions.
• Disasters are mostly unpredictable, leaving victims in shock.
• Victims tend to deny loss and escape from reality; denial makes them more vulnerable to stress and anxiety.
• The death of a loved one can leave victims feeling insecure, depriving them of love, attachment, and belonging.
• Other psychological effects of a disaster include distress, hopelessness, emotional effects, hatred/revenge, cognitive effects, dependence/insecurities, physical effects, grief/isolation, interpersonal effects, guilt, helplessness, and a lack of trust.

Socio-cultural Perspective

• Filipinos are generally known as "matiisin" (enduring), resourceful, helpful, optimistic, and prayerful.
• Filipinos showed these characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) prevailed nationwide due to national health emergency.
• Many people temporarily lost jobs, were stranded, or were repatriated as OFWs.
• People were restricted from leaving their homes for months.
• Most Filipino families relied on government help, but limited resources led people to find ways to survive.
• Socio-cultural effects of disasters include changes in individual roles and disruption of social and personal relationships.

Economic Perspective

• Disasters affect a community's economic condition.
• Disasters reduce local and international trade.
• Transportation systems can be partially or totally paralyzed.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led to partial and total shutdowns of local businesses.
• Many people lost their means of living.
• Economic effects of disasters include loss of life, unemployment, loss of property, loss of household articles, loss of crops, and loss of public infrastructure.

Political Perspective

• Natural disasters are commonly thought to be less politically charged than armed conflicts.
• The effects of natural disasters and distribution of aid are linked to politics.
• Disasters can have major political consequences, affecting political stability and legitimacy.
• Government agencies play a significant role in disaster preparedness, prevention, and recovery.
• Social systems establish vulnerability to natural disasters.
• Governments are often considered responsible for the disaster's effects.
• Political effects of disaster: Trust in political institutions promotes credible risk assessments and hazard policies.
• Low trust can lead citizens to ignore recommendations.
• Confidence in government aid may reduce individual motivation to take measures.

Biological Perspective

• A prevalent disease/virus causing disturbing effects at an epidemic or pandemic level is a biological disaster.
• Epidemic Level: Affects large numbers within a community (e.g., Dengue).
• Pandemic Level: Affects a much larger region, even continents (e.g., Swine Flu).
• Biological disasters can quickly wipe out entire populations.
• Effects including loss of lives, public demobilization, negative economic effects, unemployment, and hunger.

Explore how natural disasters are viewed from different perspectives, including their physical effects. Understand how disasters cause damage to infrastructure, property, and people. Learn methods to face disasters and show readiness for possible calamities.