Disaster Risk Reduction A systematic effort to analyze and manage the causes of

disasters by reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing capacities in order to lessen the

adverse impacts of hazards and the
probability of DISASTER
Introduction:
According to the figures released by the Center for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters in
Geneva, 3,852 disasters killed more than 780,000 people over the past 10 years, affected more
than 2 billion others and cost a minimum of us$960 billion ((Presently US $1.9 trillion))
International Impact
4 most visited countries by Natural Disaster 1995-2015
1. United States (472)
2. China (441)
3. India (288)
4. Philippines (274), Precisely 3rd in 2013
The Philippine Geography and Its Disaster Vulnerability
2nd largest archipelago composed of 7,500 islands with 28,962 km
with 130 rivers and 59 lakes
surrounded by 2 mayor plates (Pacific and Eurasian)
Average of 5 earthquakes occurring everyday
Average of 16 perceptible earthquakes per year
The Philippine Geography and Its Disaster Vulnerability
200 volcanoes along 5 volcanic belts with 21 active volcanoes.
19-24 storm enter the PAR, only 6-9 make a landfall.
Deadliest typhoon in the Philippines is TYPHOON HAIPONG killed 20, 000 people in
September 1881
Modern record is typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) strongest typhoon ever recorded to impact an
archipelago.
5 REASON WHY PH IS DISASTER PRONE
1. Warm Ocean Waters
Located just above the equator, the Philippines faces the western Pacific without
much else in the way to take the force of storms before they make landfall.
You need temperatures above 28C (82.4F) for typhoons to form
In the western Pacific, the water's normally above 28 degrees
2. Coastal Homes

A lot of people live on low-lying coastal islands in the Philippines, with more than 60
percent of the population living in coastal zones
Storm surges for landfall of Super Typhoon Haiyan reached 23 feet (7 meters) in
some places and were more than 16 feet (5 meters) high.
3. Deforestation
In past typhoons, mudslides have killed many storm survivors in the Philippines.
Hillsides denuded of trees have fewer roots to hold them together, which can lead
to mudslides when they are hit by sudden huge outbursts of rain.
4. Ring of Fire
the Philippines rests on the Pacifics earthquake and volcano Ring of Fire.
A magnitude of 7.2 earthquake killed 222 people, for example, on the island
province of Bohol.
5. Underdevelopment
Combination of poverty and population shifts puts the Philippines among the top 10
worldwide nations at risk of coastal flooding.
KNOWN HAZARDS IN THE
BICOL REGION
Typhoons
Floods / Storm Surges
Landslides
Drought
Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Epidemics
Agricultural (Infestations)

Disaster- disaster n. -It is a serius disruption of the functioning of the community or society
involving widespread human, material, ECONOMIC, OR ENVIRONMENTAL LOSSESS AND IMPACTS
WHICH EXCEEDS THE ABILITY OF THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY OR SOCIETY TO COPE USING ITS
OWN RESOURCES.
An occurrence causing widespread destruction and distress; a catastrophe.
A grave misfortune.
Informal- A total failure
A disaster is present when need exceeds resources!
Disaster = Needs > Resources
A response need that is greater than the response available
Example:
If a Volcano erupts on an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ring and there
is no environmental damage or significant ashfall?
If an Earthquake occurs in a prepared city in Japan and there are no
casualties, damage, or impact on day to day life?
If a very large refugee population from Somalia occupies a small
community in Kenya completely overwhelming the local resources?
Terminologies:

Hazard a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss
of life, injury or other impacts, property damaged, loss of livelihood and services, social and
economic disruption, or environmental damage.
A trigger event that could cause loss of life, or damage to property or to the
environment.
Four classes of hazard:
Natural hazards (Hydrological, Meteorological, Geological, Hydrometeorological)

Technological hazards

Biological hazards

Societal hazards

Natural Hazard
Earthquake
Landslides
Avalanche
Volcano
Tornado
Hurricanes,
floods
Fires
Meteors
Etc

Technological
Hazards

Building
Collapse
Industrial
Explosion
Fire
Transportatio
n Accident

Biological

Sanitation
Pandemic
s
Epidemics

Societal

Addictions
Economic

Types of Hazards

Sudden Natural Hazards - (tornado,

earthquake, landslides, flashflood, etc.)
Slow-On-Set Hazards - (typhoon, drought, volcanic eruption, etc.)
Industrial Hazards - ( Air crash, explosion)
Human-made Hazards ( Fire, war, civil strife, bomb threats, terrorism, epidemic, etc.)
Emergency
An actual threat to public safety and / or public health
Vulnerability
The degree to which people, property or the environment are exposed to loss, injury or
damage caused by the impact of a hazard.
Vulnerability may arise from various physical, social, economic and environmental factors
such as poor designs, lack of public information and awareness, limited official recognition
of risk and preparedness measures, and disregard for wise environmental management.

Community

is people, property, services, livelihoods and environment i.e. the elements exposed to
hazards
Capacity
The degree to which the affected community can minimize losses in the event of
a disaster (risk modifier)
It is the ability to deal with hazard
Risk- possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or loss) will happen.
Elements at risk : Are the Persons, Buildings, Crops and other such like societal components
exposed to known hazard, which are likely to be adversely affected by the impact of the hazard.
Genesis of Disasters

Practice 1 (40 mins)

Activity 1: Classifying Phenomena according to hazards (40 mins)
Pre-Activity: (5 mins)
1. List down theses hazards
A. Ground shaking
B. Tornado
C. Landslide
D. Flood
E. Indoor fire
F. Lava flow
G. Industrial pollution
H. Typhoon
I. Forest fire
J. Liquefaction
K. Storm surge
L. Tsunami
M. Extreme rainfall
During Activity (5 mins.)
2. Ask the learners to classify the phenomena in a table. They can classify them in any way they want but they have to
describe the basis of their classification. Make them write their answers in their activity notebook.
3. Ask the learners to pair up with their seatmate (if odd numbered class, one group can be three learners) and tell them
that they have to come up with a final classification scheme written on a sheet of paper. They should discuss the
differences and similarities, if any, and the basis for their classification with each other.
Post Activity (30 mins.)
4. Choose a volunteer to share with the class the classification that they made.
5. Allow the learners to compare their answers with the one written on the board. Use this as a jump off point to the
discussion of the types of hazards listed below.
6. Emphasize to the learners that this subject will mostly focus on Geological, Hydrometeorological, and fire hazards.
Activity 2.
Get into a group and Pick a Team Name.. (5-10)
What Hazard exist in my community
What vulnerabilities Exist?
How can we reduce these vulnerabilities