Understanding Disaster Management

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'disaster' originate from?

The word referencing natural catastrophes

The Latin word for calamity

The word 'des' meaning bad and 'aster' meaning star (correct)

The Greek term for catastrophe

Which phase of the disaster cycle focuses on preventing or reducing the impact of disasters?

Recovery

Mitigation (correct)

Response

Preparedness

During which phase does a community activate emergency plans to address immediate effects from a disaster?

Recovery

Preparedness

Mitigation

Response (correct)

What is not a classification of disaster?

Technological Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the recovery phase in the disaster cycle?

Rebuilding and restoring affected communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about disaster is accurate?

Disasters can result in extensive societal and ecological losses. Signup and view all the answers

How are man-made disasters characterized?

Resulting from human actions, either intentional or unintentional Signup and view all the answers

What does 'preparedness' entail in the context of disaster management?

Conducting emergency drills and training Signup and view all the answers

What does vulnerability refer to in the context of disaster risk management?

The possibility or susceptibility to acquire consequences from disasters. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT commonly associated with social vulnerability?

Public transportation availability Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes the concept of economic vulnerability?

It is determined by the economic stability of individuals, communities, and the nation. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is included in the dimensions of exposure and vulnerability?

Educational level of individuals Signup and view all the answers

What best defines exposure in the context of disaster management?

The presence of people and assets in hazard-prone areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of vulnerability relates specifically to the environmental aspects of a community?

Environmental vulnerability Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic factor contributes to vulnerability in disaster scenarios?

Gender Signup and view all the answers

What does the capacity in disaster risk management indicate?

The strengths and resources a community has to manage disasters. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of landslide occurs suddenly when a massive part of very steep slopes breaks loose?

Topples Signup and view all the answers

What describes the process that transforms soil to behave like a liquid during extreme shaking?

Liquefaction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of landslide is characterized as failures triggered by an earthquake on steep slopes?

Earthquake induced landslides Signup and view all the answers

What are mudflows and earthflows primarily associated with?

Rainy seasons Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes complex slides in the context of landslides?

Combination of two or more types of movements Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of loss of life due to disasters?

Injury and mortality Signup and view all the answers

What effect do disasters have on infrastructure and service?

Disruption of essential services Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects a long-term developmental setback caused by disasters?

Hindrance of developmental efforts Signup and view all the answers

What is a common economic impact of disasters?

Disruption and destruction of businesses Signup and view all the answers

How does a disaster risk differ from a general risk?

Disaster risk indicates potential losses from a specific event Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between environmental degradation and disasters?

Disasters often exacerbate environmental issues like deforestation Signup and view all the answers

What major health concern arises directly from disasters?

Public health issues like contaminated water Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect can disasters have on survivors?

Increased trauma, stress, and grief Signup and view all the answers

Which facility is considered an industrial and high potential loss facility containing hazardous materials?

Dams and ponds Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of droughts?

Prolonged low precipitation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a hydrological hazard?

Riverine floods Signup and view all the answers

Which natural hazard involves sudden shaking of the earth's surface?

Earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hazards is categorized as a biological hazard?

Vector-borne diseases Signup and view all the answers

What typically triggers landslides?

Heavy rainfall Signup and view all the answers

Which natural hazard is characterized by violent rotating columns of air?

Tornadoes Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon can lead to severe food shortages?

Famine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Disaster

Originates from the word "des" meaning "bad" and "aster" meaning "star"
In ancient times, people thought celestial events influenced human affairs
Defined as severe disruption to a community's functioning, involving significant losses, according to Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010
World Health Organization defines disaster as an event beyond a community's adaptation capacity, causing distress
John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health defines disaster as sudden, overwhelming, and unforeseen events affecting households, communities, and provinces

Disaster Cycle

Mitigation: Actions taken to prevent or reduce disaster impacts before they occur.
Preparedness: Planning, procedures, and resources developed to respond effectively to a disaster.
Response: Activating emergency plans and deploying resources to address immediate disaster effects.
Recovery: Restoring affected communities to their pre-disaster state or better.

Classifications of Disasters

Natural: Disasters caused by natural processes and phenomena
Man-made: Disasters arising from human actions, intentional or unintentional

Effects of Disasters

Loss of life: Human deaths and injuries caused by the disaster.
Physical damage and destruction: Extensive damage to infrastructure, buildings, and facilities.
Displacement and migration: People forced to leave their homes temporarily or permanently.
Economic impact: Business disruptions, job losses, and decreased economic activity.
Environmental degradation: Landslides, erosion, deforestation, and habitat destruction.
Health issues: Contaminated water, lack of healthcare access, and disease spread.
Psychosocial impact: Mental health and well-being toll; survivors may experience trauma, stress, and grief.
Infrastructure and service disruption: Disruptions in essential services like water, electricity, and communication systems.
Long-term developmental setbacks: Hindrance of long-term development efforts, delaying progress in affected areas.
Community resilience: Disasters prompt communities to develop greater resilience, improving preparedness and response.

Disaster Risk

Risk: Measure of expected losses due to a hazardous event in a specific area over a given time.
Disaster risk: The potential for a disaster to occur.
Hazard: Any situation, condition, individual, or item predisposed to danger.
Exposure: People, infrastructure, and tangible assets located in hazard-prone areas, making disaster possible.
Capacity: Combined strengths, attributes, and resources available to manage and reduce disaster risks.
Vulnerability: Susceptibility to acquiring the consequences of a disaster.

Factors Affecting Vulnerability

Age
Gender
Social status
Educational level
Employment
Flexibility of the environment
Race
Technology

Types of Vulnerability

Physical vulnerability: Pertains to the physical profile of a subject, divided into:
- Industrial and high potential loss facilities & facilities containing hazardous materials: Dams, fuel reservoirs, pipelines, food processing facilities, hydropower plants.
- Infrastructure: Public and government facilities, transportation, power resources.
- Population: Distribution of inhabitants within an area.
Social vulnerability: Inability of individuals or groups to withstand disaster impacts.
Economic vulnerability: Determined by individual, community, and national economic stability through financial sustainability.
Environmental vulnerability: Tendency of the environment and natural resources to suffer damage or loss.

Dimensions of Exposure and Vulnerability (E&V)

Social dimension of E&V: Covers a wide range of social and economic factors, including:
- Household resources (income, assets)
- Access to social services (education, healthcare)
- Social networks and connections
- Social inequality (poverty, discrimination)
- Displacement and migration (forced or voluntary)

Natural Hazards

Geological:
- Earthquake: Sudden shaking of the earth's surface due to tectonic plate movements.
- Volcanic eruption: Explosive release of magma, ash, and gases from volcanoes.
- Tsunami: Large ocean waves generated by underwater seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
- Landslides and avalanches: Mass downslope movement of soil, rock, or snow.
Meteorological:
- Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons: Powerful tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rainfall.
- Tornadoes: Violent rotating columns of air extending from thunderstorms to the ground.
Hydrological:
- Flash floods: Rapid onset of flooding in low-lying areas.
- Riverine floods: Flooding along rivers and streams.
- Landslides: Mass movement of soil and rock often triggered by heavy rainfall.
Biological:
- Epidemics and pandemics: Widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases.
- Vector-borne diseases: Diseases transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes.
- Famine: Severe food shortages leading to malnutrition and starvation.

Types of Landslides

Topples: Sudden detachment of a large portion of steep slopes, rotating forward.
Rock falls: Freely falling chunks of detached rock.
Earth flows: Slow, viscous movement of soil and rock.
Mudflows: Rapid, fluid movement of soil and rock mixed with water.
Complex slides: Combination of two or more types of movements.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of disasters, their definitions, and their impacts on communities. It covers the disaster cycle, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery strategies. Test your knowledge of how communities can effectively manage and respond to disasters.