2. Definition of Disaster and
Disaster Risk
This section aims to:
Explain the meaning of disaster
Differentiate the risk factors
underlying disasters
Describe the effects of disasters on
one’s life
10. DISASTER
defined as a serious disruption of the
functioning of society, causing
widespread human, material, or
environmental losses, which exceed the
ability of the affected people to cope
using their own resources. An event,
either man-made or natural, sudden or
progressive, causing widespread human,
material, or environmental losses.
12. Disaster Risk
The probability that a community’s
structure or geographic are is to be damaged
or disrupted by the impact of a particular
hazard, on account of its nature,
construction, and proximity to a hazardous
area.
It signifies the possibility of adverse effects
in the future. It is derived from the
interaction of social and environmental
processes, from the combination of physical
hazards and the vulnerability of exposed
elements.