Disaster Risk Management - Basic Concepts PDF

BASIC CONCEPT OF DISASTERS AND DISASTER RISK OBJECTIVES Describe how hazard becomes 01 a disaster. Differentiate hazard, vulnerability, 02 exposure, disaster, and disaster risk. Appreciate the importance of the lesson by citing the way...

BASIC CONCEPT OF DISASTERS AND DISASTER RISK OBJECTIVES Describe how hazard becomes 01 a disaster. Differentiate hazard, vulnerability, 02 exposure, disaster, and disaster risk. Appreciate the importance of the lesson by citing the ways 03 by which disasters and disaster risk can be minimized.  CONCEPT OF DISASTER 1. What comes into your mind when you hear the word disaster? 2. Why is the Philippines is considered as one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries? 3. What is your idea about natural phenomenon, natural hazard, and natural disaster?  WHEN DOES A NATURAL EVENT BECOMES A HAZARD? A natural event can be likened to a weak concrete fence that could collapse even with just a slight push. It does not pose a threat to anything or anybody if there is nothing or no one nearby. Once you parka car or stand right beside it, it becomes a hazard. WHEN DOES A HAZARD BECOME A DISASTER? A natural event such as tsunami becomes a hazard if it poses a threat to people.. The tsunami waves that are about to hit a beach area with people, animals, trees, and houses are considered as hazard. After the tsunami hits the populated area, it is no longer just a hazard but a disaster with victims and destruction or damage all over the place. TYPES OF DISASTER NATURAL DISASTER Natural disasters occur when a natural phenomenon or a combination of different natural phenomena result in (1) significant injury to, and even death of, humans and animals; (2) destruction to physical infrastructures and properties; and (3) damage to a great portion of, or the whole environment. Research shows that "nine-tenths of the natural disasters that occur on Earth belong to the following four categories: floods (40%), tropical cyclones (20%), earthquakes (15%), and droughts (25%)" (UNICEF et al, 2011). TYPES OF DISASTER MAN-MADE DISASTER Man-made disasters are caused by human actions or activities such as: deliberate purpose, recklessness, technological imperfections, ignorance, complete disrespect for the environment, and unwise decisions.  EXPOSURE Exposure refers to people and property. VULNERABLITY Vulnerability refers to factors such as physical, social, economic, and environmental, that increase the susceptibility to the impact of the hazard. Example: Coastal city dwellers with low storm surge awareness level will not likely respond very well to storm surge warnings. Vulnerability can be reduced, for example, through an aggressive information, and education campaign on storm surge hazard.  REMEMBER A disaster happens when the probable destructive agent, the hazard, hits a vulnerable populated area. A natural event like a volcanic eruption or tsunami which hits an uninhabited area does not qualify as a disaster. It becomesa disaster only if it hits vulnerable population and properties -- in short, if there are victims. ELEMENTS OF DISASTER RISK DISASTER RISK The risk of losing lives or causing injury to people and of losing or damaging property due to a hazard increases as the levels of exposure and vulnerability increase. Disaster risk is a function of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. It seeks not only to express the chance of the disaster happening but also to quantify the impact.  ESTIMATING DISASTER RISK Earthquakes, storms, etc. Resistance against natural hazards. People, property, etc. ESTIMATING DISASTER RISK Risk assessment estimates the impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures. The disaster risk model implies, the magnitude of disaster depends on: 1) the severity of natural event, 2)the quantity of exposure of the elements at risk which includes lives and properties, and 3) vulnerability level or quality of exposure. The model can thus be expressed as: Disaster Risk = Hazard x ; Exposure x Vulnerability  ESTIMATING DISASTER RISK Disaster Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability According to this formula, if there is no hazard, then the risk is null (the same if population or vulnerability is null). The occurences of natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions cannot be prevented but reducing exposureand vulnerability can minimize their impact. NATURE AND EFFECTS OF DISASTERS Disasters are inherently unexpected or come quickly with little or no warning. Hence, this underscores the need for timely warnings and quality hazard-related information issued by competent monitoring and warning agencies. Disasters create demands beyond the capacity of a government. During a disaster, the situation is usually beyond the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) or national government to respond and handle. When the President declares a state of emergency, response and recovery programs shall be formulated and implemented both by public and non-government entities.  CHARACTERISTICS OF DISASTERS Knows no political boundary. Requires restructured and new responding organizations. creates new tasks and requires more people as disaster responders. Renders inutile routine emergency response equipment and facilities. Worsens confusion in understanding roles of people and organizations. Exposes lack of disaster planning, response and coordination. Inexperienced disaster organizations often fail to see what their proper roles are.  IMPACTS OF DISASTERS Disasters often result from failure to anticipate the timing and enormity of natural hazards. Disasters do not only result in deaths and destruction or damage to homes and buildings but also in the destruction of crops and decreased quality or quantity of water. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS MEDICAL EFFECTS The medical effects of disasters include traumatic injuries, emotional stress, epidemic diseases, and indigenous diseases. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS DAMAGE TO CRITICAL FACILITIES Widespread disasters can destroy or damage facilities that may be critical not only in maintaining a safe environment and public order, but also in responding disaster. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS DISRUPTION OF TRANSPORTATION During the initial stages of a disaster, almost all surface means of transportation within a community are disrupted by broken bridges and roads and streets that are rendered impassable by landslides or floods. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS ECONOMIC IMPACT Disasters disrupt economies as normal business operations and other economic activities are curtailed. People must also leave thier jobs and devote their time to disaster-related activities, such as search and rescue, or to caring survivors.  IMPACTS OF DISASTERS GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE There is increasing evidence of global climatic change brought about by both human activity and disasters. In this section, more severe cyclonic storms, an increase in both flooding and drought, and a trend towards desertification cannot be ruled out. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPACT The poor are the most prone to disasters like earthquakes and typhoons because of the structures they live in which are unreinforced and poorly built. IMPACTS OF DISASTERS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPACT When disasters happen, social and political inequities are usually exposed, which may lead to major political and social changes.  DECLARATION OF STATE OF CALAMITY The declaration of a state of calamity in an area is necessary for the following reasons: (1) to keep the prices of basic and prime commodities under control; (2) to authorize and facilitate the receipt and distribution of donations from overseas;. (3) to allow the importation of needed commodities like food, clothing, medicines, equipment, and other items for relief and recovery operations;  (4) to provide victims of calamity access to interest-free loans from government financial or lending institutions; (5) to give authority to local government units to exercise the prerogative to allot funds for their town's recovery and rehabilitation efforts without the need for approval of the central government.  HOW TO BE READY DURING A DISASTER  EMERGENCY PLAN EMERGENCY KIT STAY INFORMED Develop a family emergency Assemble a well-stocked Keep informed about plan that includes emergency kit that potential hazards or communication strategies includes essential items disasters that may occur and meeting points. Assign such as non-perishable in your area by monitoring responsibilities to each food, water, medications, local news, weather alerts, family member, such as flashlights, batteries, a and emergency gathering supplies. first aid kit, and important management websites. documents.  DO THE DRILL SECURE THE HOME VOLUNTEER Familiarize yourself with Take measures to protect Volunteer for local evacuation routes in your your home, such as preparedness and community, both for your securing heavy furniture response initiatives. Join home and workplace. or appliances, reinforcing community emergency Practice evacuation drills windows and doors, and response teams to with your family to ensure installing smoke detectors contribute your skills and everyone is informed. and fire extinguishers. knowledge during times of crisis.  BEING READY IS OUR SECRET POWER, GUIDING US THROUGH TOUGH TIMES WITH COURAGE.