This document provides an overview of disaster risk and management in the Philippines. It begins with the Philippines' geographic profile as an archipelago that is prone to various natural hazards due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and Pacific typhoon belt. Several major recent disasters that impacted the Philippines are described, demonstrating the country's high risk ranking. The document then discusses how factors like climate change, unplanned urbanization, and societal changes have contributed to increased disaster losses. It outlines the disaster management cycle and various approaches to disaster planning. Key components of emergency preparedness and response are identified for effective disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines.
3. At the end of this lecture, SN’s will be able to:
1. Understand Philippines Disaster Risk Profile;
2. Classify the major types of disasters based on their unique characteristics
and describe their consequences;
3. Identify societal factors that have contributed to increased losses (human
and property) as the result of disasters;
4. Describe two principles of disaster planning, including the agent-specific
and the all-hazards approach, and the basic components of a disaster plan;
5. Discuss the five areas of focus in emergency and disaster planning:
preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and evaluation;
6. Describe risk assessment, hazard identification, and vulnerability analysis;
7. Assess constraints on a community’s or organization’s ability to respond;
8. Describe the core preparedness actions; and
9. Recognize situations suggestive of an increased need for additional
comprehensive planning.
4. We are an archipelago of 7,107 islands
A total land area of approximately 300,000 square
kilometers (116,000 sq. miles)
Three main islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
The seas surrounding the islands are the Philippine
Sea on the east, the South China Sea on the west,
and the Celebes Sea on the south.
The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers
southwest and Taiwan directly north.
The Moluccas and Sulawesi are to the
south/southwest, and Palau is to the east beyond
the Philippine Sea.
5. PACIFIC RING OF FIRE:
This is the area where the Philippine Sea and Eurasian Tectonic Plates meet and is prone to
occurrences of different geologic hazards
11. PACIFIC TYPHOON BELT
This explains the occurrences of different weather disturbances such as typhoons.
Our country is visited by an average of 20 typhoons per year, according to the Philippine
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
12. The 15 countries with the highest risk
worldwide
Country Risk (%)
1. Vanuatu 56.71
2. Antigua and
Barbuda
30.80
3. Tonga 29.39
4. Solomon Islands 29.36
5. Guyana 22.87
6. Papua New Guinea 22.18
7. Brunei Darussalam 21.68
8. Guatemala 20.69
9. Philippines 20.69
10 .Bangladesh 18.78
3rd in 2011 – 2013
2nd in 2014
3rd in 2015 – 2016
3rd in 2017
3rd in 2018
9th in 2019
Developed by Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft in
cooperation with the United Nations University
in Bonn)
13. 193 Countries UN-recognized
Over 99 percent of the world’s population
The countries with the highest disaster risk
worldwide are the Philippines (WRI 46.82), India
(WRI 42.31), and Indonesia (WRI 41.46).
Publisher WorldRiskReport 2022 Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft
Ruhr University Bochum – Institute for International Law of
Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV)
14.
15. How do we differentiate disasters from
hazards?
17. Serious disruption of the functioning of a community
or a society
Human losses
Material losses
Economic losses
Environmental
losses
Photo credit:: Google Images
18. Cebu City hospital staff members cope with disaster |
Inquirer News
A catastrophic event that
results in casualties that
overwhelm the
healthcare resources in
that particular
community.
Al-Madhari & Zeller
19. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2009 Tropical Storm Ondoy
464 37
Dead Missing
5294.9 M
Injured Affected
PhP 11B Damages
20. Major Disasters in the Philippines 2013 Bohol Earthquake
209 Dead
8 Missing
877Injured
3.2 M Affected
PhP 2.25B Damages
21. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2013 Typhoon Yolanda
6 300 Dead
1 062 Missing
28 688 Injured
16 M Affected
PhP 89.6B Damages
22. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2018 Mayon Volcano Eruption
Around 90 000
Affected
PhP 166 M
Damages
23. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2018 Typhoon Ompong
82 2
Dead Missing
138 3 M
Injured Affected
PhP 33.9B
Damages
24. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2019 Major Earthquakes
Porac, Pampanga (M 6.1)
Itbayat, Batanes (M 5.9)
Castillejos, Zambales (M 5.9)
San Julian, E. Samar (M 6.5)
Tulunan, Cotabato (M 6.6)
Davao Del Sur (M 6.9)
25. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2020 Taal Volcano Eruption
737 K
Affected
PhP 3B
Damages
26. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2020 (to present) Novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As of 16 August 2023 (WHO):
4,173,631
confirmed cases
66,646
deaths
27. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2013, Zamboanga Crisis
7
Dead
119 000
Displaced
PhP 3.2B
Damages
28. Major Disasters in the Philippines
2017, Marawi Crisis
87
Dead
350 000
Displaced
PhP 17B
Damages
30. 3 Broad Categories of Man-
made Disaster:
Complex Emergencies
are situations where populations suffer significant
casualties as a result of war, civil strife, or other political
conflicts. This can result fromm a combination of forces
such as drought, famine, disease, and political unrest.
After 2017 Marawi battle, displaced Filipinos hope to return home
31. 3 Broad Categories of Man-
made Disaster:
Technological Disasters
* NA-TECH Disaster (Natural and
Technological Disasters)
a natural disaster or phenomenon
that triggers a secondary disaster, as
a result of weaknesses in the human
environment
The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident in Soviet
Union
32. 3 Broad Categories of Man-
made Disaster:
Technological Disasters
Sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars
33. 3 Broad Categories of
Man-made Disaster:
Disasters that are not caused
by natural hazards but occur
in human settlements
(Human-settlement Disaster)
700 Residents Homeless in 14-hour Fire in March 2015
34. Disaster Categories
Disaster are categorized based on the
following:
Onset
* Sudden/Rapid
* Slow / Gradual and Progresive
Impact
* Sudden
* Prolonged
Duration
* Short
* Prolonged/ Protracted
Location
35. Disasters in Hospitals and other Health Care
Facilities
Internal
Disruption of normal hospital function
due to injuries or deaths of hospital
personnel or damage to the physical
plant, as with hospital fire, power
failure or chemical spill.
External
Include scenarios such as
earthquakes, mass casualty events
or epidemics where the hospital
itself may or may not be affected
but is a critical part of the larger
response.
36. 1. Today 50 % of the world
population lives in urban
centers by 2030 this is expected
to increase to 60%.
2. The majority of the largest cities,
known as Mega Cities are in
developing countries while 90%
of the population growth of
developing countries will be
urban in nature.
UNPLANNED
URBANIZATION
38. Weather :
• Short term changes
• Can change rapidly
(what is happening
outside right now)
Climate :
• Long term state
• Occurs over seasons
or longer
39. • Change in climate
identified by changes
in properties
• Persists for an
extended period
• Due to natural
variability or as a
result of human
activity
40. •Stronger and more
frequent typhoons
•Droughts
•Extremely warm and cold
seasons
(Aftermath of Typhoon
Haiyan in 2013)
Photo credit:: Google Images
41. Rapid rise in global
temperature brought
about by the greenhouse
effect.
Photo credit:: Google Images
49. Premature Deaths, Injuries and Illnesses Damaged local health care
Infrastructure
Increased Risk of Communicable
Diseases
Psychological, emotional, and social impacts Food Shortage/Insecurity Displaced Population
51. 2009 Tropical
Storm Ondoy
464 Dead
37 Missing
529 Injured
2020 (to present) Novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As of 06 Feb. 2022: 3.6 million
confirmed cases 54, 214 dead
52. DOH: 177 health
facilities affected
due to Abra quake
| GMA News
Online
15 health facilities incur
minor damage from
Paeng: DOH
53. The major causes of communicable
disease in disasters can be
categorized into four areas:
Infections due to contaminated food
and water
Respiratory infections
Vector and insect-borne diseases
Infections due to wounds and injuries.
More than 400 cases of diarrhoea
and gastroenteritis in typhoon-
affected areas due to ST Rai, with
141 health facilities damaged by
the storm, according to
Philippine Government agencies
https://reliefweb.int/
54. Emotional instability, stress
reactions, anxiety, trauma and
other psychological symptoms are
observed commonly after the disaster and other
traumatic experiences.
Disaster and its impact on mental health: A narrative review
Nikunj Makwana
Published online 2019 Oct 31
In the Philippines, after super typhoon
Haiyan affected the Visayas Region,
approximately 800,000 people suffered
from mental health problems. Of this
number, about 10% or 80,000 people
were dealing with severe depression
https://bmcproc.biomedcentral.com/articles/
55. 18 March 2021, Rome – A new report released today by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) shows that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather
disasters such as floods, droughts and megafires as a result of climate change is having a
devastating effect on food security and livelihoods.
https://unfccc.int/news/climate-change-related-disasters-a-major-threat-to-food-security-fao
56. Fighting in Zamboanga over the next
four weeks displaced more than 100,000
people, most of them in the Muslim
minority. The conflict resulted in dozens
of deaths and the destruction of more
than 10,000 homes.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/04/30/philippines-
protect-zamboangas-displaced-minorities
59. 5 Basic Phases of DM
Preparedness
Mitigation and Prevention
Response and Early Recovery
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Evaluation
60. Preparedness - proactive disaster planning designed to structure disaster
response prior to its occurrence.
*Disaster planning encompasses a) Risk Assessment, and b) Warning
Mitigation - measures to reduce the harmful effects of disasters by limiting
its impact on human health, community function, and economic
infrastructure.
Prevention - activities to prevent a disaster from occurring and actions to
prevent further disease, disability and loss of life.
61. Response - actual implementation of the disaster plan.
* Emergency Management to address the event/incident.
- focuses on emergency relief: saving lives, providing
first aid, minimizing and restoring damaged
systems and providing care and basic life
requirements to victims (food, water, shelter)
Recovery - actions to stabilize and returning community to normal or pre-
impact status.
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - activities to counter the long-term
effects of disaster and future development.
62. Evaluation - examines what or which activities worked, did not work, what
specific problems, issues, and challenges were identified.
“Future disaster planning needs to be based on empirical evidence derived
from previous disasters”
64. Nursing
Actions
• Disaster Plans
• Community Risk
Assessment
• Initiate Disaster
Prevention measures
• Perform disaster drills
and table top exercises
• Identify educational
and training needs for
all nurses
• Develop disaster
nursing databases for
notification,
mobilization, triage of
staffing resources
• Develop evaluation
plans for nursing
response
• Activate disaster response plan
• Mitigate all on-going hazards
• Activate disaster emergency
disaster plans
• Establish need for mutual aid
relationship
• Ongoing triage and provision of
nursing care
• Evaluate public health needs
• Establish safe shelter and delivery
of adequate food and water
supplies
• Provide sanitation needs and
waste removal
• Establish disease surveillance
• Establish vector control
• Evaluate the need for additional
nursing staff
• Continue provision of nursing and
medical care
• Continue disease surveillance
• Monitor the safety of food and water
supply
• Restore public health infrastructure
• Re-triage and transport of patients to
appropriate level of care
• Reunite family members
• Monitor long term physical health
ouctomes and mental health status
og survivors
• Provide counceling and debriefing for
the staff
• Provide staff with adequate time to
rest
• Evaluate disaster nursing response
actions
• Revise original disaster preparedness
plan
65. “Disaster Planning continuum is broad in
scope and must address collaboration
across agencies and organizations,
advance preparations, needs assessment,
event management, and recovery
efforts”
“Formulation of Comprehensive Disaster
or emergency operations plan”
66. Types of Disaster Planning
• Agent-specific Approach - preparedness
activities are focused on the “most likely threats”
to occur based on their location.
• All-hazards Approach - conceptual model for
disaster preparedness that incorporates disaster
management in all major types of disaster
events to maximize planning efforts, resources
and expenditures.
67. Common Issues and Challenges that can ba
addressed in the core preparedness activities:
Communication Problems
Triage, transportation and evacuation
problems
leadership Issues
The management, security of, and distribution
of resources at the disaster site
Warning system and messages
Search and Rescue
Media Issues
Patient Identification and Tracking
Health Care Infrastructure damages
Management of volunteers,
donations and other large number
resources
Apathy and resistance to the
planning efforts
68.
69. Hazard Identification and
Mapping - is the advance
identificationof potential
problems or events that are
most likely to affect an
institution or community.
71. SAMPLE PROBABILITY SCALE
1
Most Unlikely
2
Unlikely
3
Likely
4
Very Likely
5
Almost Certain
The event may
occur only in
exceptional
cases
The event could
occur at some
time, but
probably will
not
The event might
occur at some
time, and
probably will
The event will
probably occur
in most or
many cases
The event is
expected to occur
in many or most
cases
72. SAMPLE IMPACT SCALE
1
Negligible
2
Minor
3
Moderate
4
Severe
5
Devastating
No casualty
(dead, injured,
missing)
Injured: 1-5
Dead: 0
Missing: 0
Injured: 1-20
Dead: 1-2
Missing: 1-2
Injured: 1-50
Dead: 1-20
Missing: 1-20
Injured: 50 & above
Dead: 21 & above
Missing: 21 &
above
No damage to
property
Minor loss and/or
damage to property (up
to Php 500,000 worth of
damage)
Significant loss and/or
damage to property
(Php 500,001-3M)
Major loss to
property (Php 3-
10M)
Catastrophic loss to
property (Php 10M
above)
No delay in
normal
functioning
Up to one day delay in
operations
Up to 1 week delay in
operations
Between 1
month delay in
operations
More than 1 month
delay in operations
73. Hazard
Probability Impact Average
Probability +
Impact /2
Rank
Rate Remarks Rate Remarks
Fire/
Conflagration
5
Given the socioeconomic
factors and vulnerability,
the probability of the hazard
especially barangays with very
high susceptibility to fire is
ALMOST CERTAIN.
5
Based on the historical data, the most
significant or major fire incident had
caused a DEVASTATING IMPACT to the
affected barangay. The damages and
losses incurred at Barangays IX and Punta
Tabuc are costed at Php 10M
5 1
Vehicular
Accidents
(Mass Casualty
Incidents)
5
Based on available data, the
average number of accidents
per month, ranging from self-
inflicted traffic accident to
vehicular collision is 20.
Therefore, the probability is
EXPECTED.
3
Based on the statistics of Injuries related
to vehicular accidents from 2018 to 2022,
it has recorded a total of _____ cases,
ranging from minor sustained injuries to
multiple fractures and limb amputation,
and even death. Therefore, the Impact
rating is MODERATE.
4 2
76. Vulnerability Examples
Unsafe housing
design and
construction
Conflicts in the
community
Lack of
settlements
planning and
policy
Lack of education
Lack of knowledge
and skills on
preparedness and
protective measures
Attitude of
helplessness
dependence and
indifference
Social inequity and
poverty
With disability/
impairment
Inadequate
protection of
assets
77. 4 Types of Vulnerability
Physical Vulnerability may be determined by aspects such as population density
levels, remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for critical
infrastructure and for housing.
Social Vulnerability refers to the inability of people, organizations and societies to
withstand adverse impacts to hazards due to characteristics inherent in social
interactions, institutions and systems of cultural values. It is linked to the level of
well being of individuals, communities and society. It includes aspects related to
levels of literacy and education, the existence of peace and security, access to basic
human rights, systems of good governance, social equity, positive traditional
values, customs and ideological beliefs and overall collective organizational
systems.
78. 4 Types of Vulnerability
Economic Vulnerability. The level of vulnerability is highly dependent upon the
economic status of individuals, communities and nations The poor are usually more
vulnerable to disasters because they lack the resources to build sturdy structures
and put other engineering measures in place to protect themselves from being
negatively impacted by disasters.
Environmental Vulnerability. Natural resource depletion and resource degradation
are key aspects of environmental vulnerability.
79. Vulnerability Analysis
Refers to the process of determining who is
most likely to be affected, the property most
likely to be damaged, and the capacity of the
community to deal with the effects of the
disaster.
80. Risk
Refers to the potential
disaster losses in lives,
health status, livelihood,
assets and services.
Photo credit:: Google Images
81. Elements at Risk
• People
• Critical Facilities and services
• Lifeline Utilities
• Livelihood
• Environment
Photo credit:: Google Images
82.
83. Risk Assessment
A method to determine
the nature and extent of
risks by analyzing potential
hazards and evaluating
vulnerability of the
communities
87. Combination of all the
strengths, attributes and
resources available within a
community, society or
organization
*Resource Identification is an
essential feature of disaster
planning
88. Established DRRM
system
Size and
Sophisticatio of
health care system
Strong community
organizations
Specialized Nursing
Personnel and
equipment
Adequate
communication
systems
Available
emergency
resources
Healthcare facilities
and utilities with
sound structural
integrity
Capacity Examples
89. The following disaster prevention measures can be implemented following the
analysis of hazards, vulnerability, and risk:
■ Prevention or removal of hazard (e.g., closing down an aging industrial facility
that cannot implement safety regulations).
■ Removal of at-risk populations from the hazard (e.g., evacuating populations
prior to the impact of a hurricane; resettling communities away from flood-
prone areas).
■ Provision of public information and education (e.g., providing information
concerning measures that the public can take to protect themselves during a
tornado).
90. ■ Establishment of early warning systems (e.g., using public service
announcements).
■ Mitigation of vulnerabilities (e.g., sensors for ventilation systems capable of
detecting deviations from normal conditions; sensors to check food, water,
currency, and mail for contamination).
■ Reduction of risk posed by some hazards (e.g., relocating a chemical depot
farther away from a school to reduce the risk that children would be exposed to
hazardous materials; enforcing strict building regulations in an earthquake-
prone zone).
■ Enhancement of a local community’s capacity to respond (e.g., health care
coordination across the entire health community, including health departments,
hospitals, clinics, and home care agencies).
91. Theoretical foundation for disaster planning
Disaster planning is only as effective as the assumptions upon
which it is based
Core preparedness activities must go beyond the routine.
Community needs assessment.
Identify leadership and command post.
The first 24–48 hours: design of the local response.
Identification and accommodation of vulnerable populations.
Identification of training and educational needs, resources, and
personal protective equipment (PPE).
Plan for the early conduct of damage assessment
92. Essential step in disaster planning
and preparedness is evaluation for
effectiveness and completeness
through Disaster Drills.
Drills are staged large, full-scale
exercises, using moulaged victims
and resources to assess
communication protocols,
notification procedures, and as
stipulated in the disaster response
plan.
93. KEY
MESSAGES
A professional mandate
exists that calls for
nurses to participate in
the development of and
serve as an integral part
of a community’s
disaster preparedness
plan.
Nurses must participate as
full partners with the
medical and emergency
management
communities in all aspects
of disaster response and
recovery.
Editor's Notes
Disasters are integral part of the human experience since the beginning of time. It had caused premature deaths, impaired quality of life and altered health status. And the risk of the disaster is ubiquitous, which means they are widespread, and happens everywhere at the same time.
Th recent dramatic increase in natural disasters, their intensity , the number of people affected by them, and the human and economic losses associated with these events have placed an imperative on disaster planning for emergency preparedness.
Global warming, shifts in climates, sea level rise and other societal factors may coalesece to create future calamities. Also, we have wars, acts of terrorism and other human-induced hazards are reminders of the potential threats and deadly consequences of inhumanity.
In the PH, nurses are one of the largest sectors in the health care workforce, and therefore will certainly be on the front lines of any emergency response.
The Philippines as we are all probably aware is situated in the highly seismic area called the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Geologic hazards arte large-scale and complex natural events that happen on land. They are geologic conditions that are capable of causing damages. Such volcanic eruption, earthquakes, landslides induced, ground rupture, ground fissures, ground tremor or shaking, and seismic sea waves or tsunamis.
Pacific Ring of Fire. This position allows for the formation of volcanoes. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), these are Mts. Mayon, Taal, Kanlaon, Bulusan, and Ragang are the most active volcanoes. There are 27 active volcanoes in the Philippines, mostly located on Luzon island.
We have the so-called Philippine Fault Zone, which has a length of 1200 km, a major tectonic feature that transects from Luzon down to Mindano, in the entire archipelago of the Ph. And it has been the cause of large-magnitude earthquakes such as Luzon, Ragay Gulf, Masbate earthquakes.
A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur rapidly, in the form of an earthquake - or may occur slowly, in the form of creep.
Trenches are long, narrow and very deep steep, V-shaped depression causing the seafloor to and the outermost crust to bend.
If we will examine the seismicity or the frequency of occurrence of earthquakes, almost all parts of the country experience earthquakes.
Generally, we encounter an average of 20 earthquakes a day, per latest figures from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Tsunami are seismic sea waves or giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea.
The Philippines is located in the World’s busiest typhoon belt.
Typhoon form when cold air moves and meets the warm water.
A typhoon is also sometimes called a hurricane or a cyclone, depending on where they are located. Both hurricanes and typhoons are cyclones. They are referred to as hurricanes in the Northern Atlantic Ocean and they are called typhoons in the Western Northern Pacific Ocean region.
It can be the start of a low-pressure system or a start of a storm. There are different types of weather disturbances, some of which are tropical cyclones (tropical depression, tropical storm, typhoon/hurricane), tornado, intertropical convergence zone, and monsoons (northeast and southeast monsoon).
The 2022 report focuses on digitalization in the context of global disasters, analyzing the role that digital technologies play in disaster management, preparedness, and response. This year's report highlights how digital technologies have influenced disaster preparedness and response, along with the associated risks and challenges, including disinformation, misuse of data, and inequitable access to technology in the event of a disaster.
Hazards present the possibility of the occurrence of a disaster caused by natural phenomenon, failure of man-made sources of energy or by human activity.
Disasters have been defined as ecologic disruptions, or emergencies, of a severity and magnitude that result in deaths, injuries, illness, and property damage that cannot be effectively managed using routine procedures or resources and that require outside assistance
Natural are those caused by natural of environmental forces and can either be geophysical, hydrometeorological and climatological
Geophysical are geophysical conditions , large, and complex natural events that happen on land
Climatological are long-lived processes climate variability - climate related disasters such as drought, wildfires, forest/bush fires
Hydrometeoroloical are short-lived processes
Man-made are human generated. Are those disasters in which the principal direct cause are identifiable human actions, deliberate or otherwise.
Examples of Natural disasters are earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, ice storms, tsunamis, ash fall, pyroclastic surge, and lahar deposits and other natural phenomena.
Examples of Man-made include biological, chemical, biochemical terrorism, radiological events, housefires, transportation accidents, armed conflicts and acts of terrorism
Complex emergencies - are situations where populations suffer significant casualties as a result of war, civil strife, or other political conflicts. This can result fromm a combination of forces such as drought, famine, disease, and political unrest.
Technological disasters are massive disasters due to industrial accidents, unplanned release of nuclear energy, fires, explosions from hazardous substances such as fuel, chemicals and nuclear materials.
NATECH also referred to as synergistic disasters, a combination of technological and natural disasters. Example is a chemical plant explosioin following an earthquake.
The Chernobyl incident, when windstorms spread radioactive materials across the country, increasing by almost 50% of the land area contaminated.
400 liters of oily mixture from the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars
Around noon on June 21, 2008, the motor vessel Princess of the Stars sank off Sibuyan Island, Romblon, in rough seas whipped by Typhoon “Frank.”
The passenger ship owned by Sulpicio Lines sailed from Manila and was bound for Cebu City. Of the more than 800 passengers, only 32 survived. More than 300 bodies were recovered in the search and retrieval operations that followed.
Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/383095/what-went-before-sinking-of-mv-princess-of-the-stars#ixzz816J0zO6e
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
The entire city was shocked recently when an intense fire devastated many houses on the night of March 8, 2015 at the railway sector of Roxas City, and Sitio Cassandra, Punta Tabuc Roxas City. Many families lost their homes and their belongings. 182 houses and a warehouse were gutted by a fire in March 8, 2015. The affected houses were totally burnt and considered uninhabitable.
Disasters can be further categorized based on their unique characteristics such as onset, impact, duration and location.
Onset - refers to the beginning
Impact - its effects to the areas or communities
Duration - the time during which something exists or lasts.
Examples: Earthquake: sudden onset, sudden impact and short duration
Droughts and famines have a more gradual onset or chronic genesis (the so-called creeping disasters) have prolonged impact
Location - is the place the disaster occurs, particularly the population density of the location.
Before digging deeper on the next topic, discuss first the difference between weather and climate.
Weather pertains to the short-term changes in atmospheric variables such as temperature and rainfall and it can change rapidly. Look outside. That is weather.
On the other hand, climate is the long term state of atmospheric variables like rainfall and temperature. It occurs over seasons or longer. Hence, it may take time to be experienced.
Climate change, as defined by Republic Act 10121, is “a change in climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity”. Our lives are and will continually be affected by climate change. Climate change contributes to increasing disaster risk, hence it could lead to more disasters.
Ask the participants to share their thoughts and understanding about climate change.
Definitely, climate change is real and is happening. Why? Because we’ve experienced stronger and more typhoons (e.g. Typhoon Haiyan which was recorded as the strongest one). Secondly, we are experiencing more droughts in various parts of the region. Third, there are extremely warm and cold seasons.
With climate change, disaster risk increases especially to the most vulnerable areas.
One of the known effects of climate change is global warming. According to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, there is mounting evidence that the earth is rapidly getting warmer and much of this is caused by human activities.
What causes this rapid rise in global temperature? The presence of too much greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) in the earth’s atmosphere which traps the sun’s heat is blamed for this. This natural phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect.
Life as we know it would be impossible if not for the greenhouse effect, the process through which heat is absorbed and re-radiated in that atmosphere. The intensity of a planet’s greenhouse effect is determined by the relative abundance of greenhouse gases in its atmosphere. Without greenhouse gases, most of Earth’s heat would be lost to outer space, and our planet would quickly turn into a giant ball of ice. Increase the amount of greenhouse gases to the levels found on the planet Venus, and the Earth would be as hot as a pizza oven! Fortunately, the strength of Earth’s greenhouse effect keeps our planet within a temperature range that supports life.
This diagram illustrates the greenhouse effect. Ideally, natural heat comes from the sea. Some of the heat is bounced back by the atmosphere, while some heat is absorbed by the earth. However, because of presence of too much greenhouse gases, more heat is being trapped instead of getting out of earth’s surface. That’s what the greenhouse gases do. Because there are just too many of them in the atmosphere, they make the planet warmer. Hence, it is called the greenhouse effect.
Notes to the facilitator:
The diagram may be too technical or advanced for community-level participants. Be careful that they may not readily appreciate the diagram.
To make the discussion more interesting, call for a volunteer to try and explain the concept of greenhouse gas based on their general knowledge. Another option is to ask the participants to give different examples on how to explain greenhouse effect in a simple way.
Here are some practical examples of explaining the greenhouse effect in a simple way:
Greenhouse effect can be illustrated using our clothes. Those wearing undershirt (sando) feel more comfortable. Meanwhile, those wearing t-shirt with undershirt, jacket, blanket, and others can trap the heat of the body. The more layer of clothes we add, the more heat is trapped in our body.
Greenhouse effect can be compared to cooking of rice in a pot. The cover of the pot traps the heat from boiling water. Hence, it causes the rice to be cooked.
What are greenhouse gases or GHG? Imagine your grandmother or mother cooking using wood or “uling.” The smoke released by these burning is sent out to the atmosphere and that is greenhouse gas. The chemical released into the atmosphere also is a greenhouse gas.
Here are some examples of common GHGs:
Firstly, carbon dioxide which is commonly released by usual human activities such as burning of fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Smokes released by manufacturing companies release carbon dioxide.
We also have methane which comes from wastes of animals, garbage and even human poops. Industrial processes which generate human-made gases; agricultural production such as raising farm animals and use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers; and land use changes especially deforestation of tropical forests are releasing too much greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxide is also another source coming from fertilizers and pesticides.
Chloroflourocarbon or CFCs from airconditioning units, refrigerators and hairsprays. Luckily, there are now airconditioning units, refrigerators and hairsprays that are known as CFC free.
Cutting and burning of trees or pagkakaingin. When we cut trees, there will be no “inhaler” of carbon dioxide which as mentioned earlier is a source of greenhouse gas. Trees and plants inhale carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen. Now, when we burn trees or if we do kaingin, the smoke is released into the atmosphere which adds to the warming of the earth.
In 2012, according to the World Research Institute (WRI) Climate Access Indicators Tool (CAIT), the energy sub-sectors serve as the main sources of greenhouse gases in the Philippines followed by the agriculture sub-sectors. So what are these energy sub-sectors? We have electricity, transport and those manufacturing companies. For the agriculture sub-sector, we have farm animals.
According to an ongoing temperature analysis led by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased by at least 1.1° Celsius (1.9° Fahrenheit) since 1880. The majority of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15 to 0.20°C per decade.
As the maps show, global warming does not mean temperatures rise everywhere at every time by same rate. Temperatures might rise 5 degrees in one region and drop 2 degrees in another. For instance, exceptionally cold winters in one place might be balanced by extremely warm winters in another part of the world. Generally, warming is greater over land than over the oceans because water is slower to absorb and release heat (thermal inertia). Warming may also differ substantially within specific land masses and ocean basins.
According to an ongoing temperature analysis led by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), the average global temperature on Earth has increased by at least 1.1° Celsius (1.9° Fahrenheit) since 1880. The majority of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15 to 0.20°C per decade.
As the maps show, global warming does not mean temperatures rise everywhere at every time by same rate. Temperatures might rise 5 degrees in one region and drop 2 degrees in another. For instance, exceptionally cold winters in one place might be balanced by extremely warm winters in another part of the world. Generally, warming is greater over land than over the oceans because water is slower to absorb and release heat (thermal inertia). Warming may also differ substantially within specific land masses and ocean basins.
Disasters affect communities and their populations in different ways.
Physical destruction
Disruption of lifeline utilities and critical facilities
Substantial percentage of the population may be rendered homeless and forced to flee or evacuate
economic and social disruption
More importantly, disasters may have short and long term health effects.
Disasters may cause premature deaths, illnesses and injuries
Disasters may destroy the local health infrastructures, which impedes ability to respond to the emergency. The disruption of the health care services and delivery may lead to long term consequences in terms of increased morbidity and mortality.
Disasters can create environmental imbalances, increasing the risk of communicable diseases and environmental hazards.
Large scale disasters may create a burden on other health care systems
The Disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process by which governments, businesses, and civil society plan for and reduce the impact of disasters. It involves stabilizing the area and restoring all essential community functions. .
The disaster continuum provides the foundation for the disaster timeline.
Warning or forecasting which refers to monitoring of events to look for indicators that predict the location, timing, and magnitude of future disasters.
Communities that embrace the agent-specific approach focus their preparedness activities on the most likely threats to occur based on their geographic location (e.g., hurricanes in Florida). The all-hazards approach is a conceptual model for disasterpreparednessthatincorporatesdisastermanagement components that are consistent across all major types of disaster events to maximize resources, expenditures, and planning efforts. It has been observed that despite their differences many disasters share similarities because certain challenges and similar tasks occur repeatedly and predictably
HCVRA are the three cornerstone methods of data collection and gathering for disaster planning.
HCVRA are the three cornsertone methods of data collection and gathering for disaster planning. A
HCVRA are the three cornsertone methods of data collection and gathering for disaster planning. A
HCVRA are the three cornsertone methods of data collection and gathering for disaster planning. A
HCVRA are the three cornsertone methods of data collection and gathering for disaster planning. A
a state of being vulnerable - open to attack, hurt or injury
Regardless of the type of approach used by planners (agent-specific or all-hazard), all hazards and potential dangers should be identified before an effective disaster response can be planned.
1)Theoretical foundation for disaster planning
Effective disaster plans are based on empirical knowledge of how people normally behave in disasters
2) Disaster planning is only as effective as the assumptions upon which it is based. The effectiveness of planning is enhanced when it is based on empirical information.
3) Core preparedness activities must go beyond the routine. Many disaster-related issues and challenges have been identified in the disaster literature, and they can be anticipated and planned for.
4) Community needs assessment. A community needs assessment must be conducted to identify the preexisting prevalence of disease and to identify those high-risk, high-need patients that may need to be transported in the event of an evacuation
5) Identify leadership and command post.
6) The first 24–48 hours: design of the local response.
7) Identification and accommodation of vulnerable populations. A community disaster plan must accommodate the needs of all people, including patients residing in hospitals and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living, psychiatric care facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
9) Identification of training and educational needs, resources, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Thedisasterplanprovidesdirectionforidentifyingtraining needs, including mock drills, and acquiring additional resources and PPE.
10) Plan for the early conduct of damage assessment. In emergency medical care, response time is critical (Schultz et al., 1996). A critical component to any disaster response is the early conduct of a proper damage assessment to identify urgent needs and to determine relief priorities for an affected population