The nature of disaster and disaster risk

2. Objectives:
• At the end of the lesson, students are expected
to:
1. describe the meaning of disaster;
2. identify the different kinds of disasters that
are common in the Philippines;
3. explain the natural hazards and human
made disasters that happened to the local
setting; and
4. value the importance of knowing disaster
risks in life.

3. Introduction
• Disaster risk management video
(https://youtu.be/y16aMLeh91Q).

4. Activity Time
News articles:
• https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/02/04/2330898/16-dead-3-missing-davao-floods-landslides-
ndrrmc
• https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/24/23/2-killed-as-military-truck-rams-into-christmas-eve-shoppers-
in-davao-city
• https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/davao-del-norte-cities-towns-classes-suspension-after-
earthquake-december-4-2023/
• https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/12/28/regions/350-houses-razed-by-fire-in-davao-city/1925849

5. Disaster

7. Hazard
Is a threat or harm that has the
potential to cause damage (e.g.
injury, destruction of properties,
environment degradation) to a
community

8. Potential impacts of
disaster
• Loss of life
o Represents the number of fatalities resulting from a
disaster.
o Loss of life is a critical metric in assessing the severity
of an event and is a primary concern for emergency
response and relief efforts.
o Understanding the potential loss of life helps
authorities make informed decisions regarding
evacuation, medical response, and resource
allocation.

9. Potential impacts of
disaster
• Property damage
o Refers to the harm caused to buildings,
infrastructure, and physical assets as a consequence
of a disaster.
o This includes destruction or impairment of residential,
commercial, industrial, and public structures.
o Assessing property damage is essential for estimating
the economic impact of a disaster and planning
recovery efforts.

10. Potential impacts of
disaster
• Disruption of services
o Involves the breakdown or interruption of essential
functions and services critical to daily life.
o This can include disruptions to transportation,
communication networks, healthcare, utilities (water,
electricity, gas), and emergency services.
o The severity of service disruption can significantly
impact the ability of a community to respond and
recover from a disaster.

11. Classification of disasters
• Natural disasters- are large-scale hydrological,
meteorological, geological or biological events that can
potentially cause extensive damage to a community
rendering it unable to cope with the disaster’s
consequences using only its own resources.

12. Areas exposed to natural
hazards

13. Classification of disasters
• HUMAN INDUCED DISASTERS- caused directly by
one, or a combination of deliberate or negligent human
actions, human error, or a failure in human organized
systems.
Categories:
• Technological/ industrial disasters
• Transportation disasters
• Social disasters

14. Areas exposed to human
induced hazards

15. Risk and disaster risk

16. Disaster risk

17. Disaster risk drivers

18. Disasters scale of impact
• Local: Some disasters have a localized impact, affecting
a specific community, city, or region. Examples include
house fires, localized flooding, or industrial accidents.
• Regional: Others may have a broader impact, affecting
multiple cities or an entire region. Examples include
hurricanes, earthquakes, or large-scale industrial
incidents.
• Global: Certain disasters, such as pandemics or global
economic crises, can have widespread and even global
impacts.

19. Level of Disruption
• Low: Some disasters may cause minimal disruption, with
affected communities able to quickly recover without
significant long-term consequences. Examples include small-
scale power outages or minor floods.
• Moderate: Moderate-level disasters can disrupt normal
functioning for an extended period, requiring concerted efforts
for recovery. Examples include medium-scale earthquakes,
hurricanes, or industrial accidents.
• High: High-level disruptions result in severe and prolonged
impacts, often requiring extensive resources and time for
recovery. Examples include major earthquakes, tsunamis, or
widespread pandemics.

20. Need for External
Assistance
• Low: Localized and smaller disasters may be manageable by
the affected community or region without significant external
assistance. Local resources, emergency services, and
community support can be sufficient.
• Moderate: Moderate-level disasters may require some
external assistance, including support from neighboring
regions, national agencies, or non-governmental
organizations. Coordination and resource-sharing become
crucial.
• High: Disasters with a high level of impact often necessitate
substantial external assistance, including international aid,
support from specialized agencies, and collaboration with
neighboring countries. The affected region may struggle to
cope without significant help.

21. Impacts of disaster
• 1. Loss of Life and Injury:
Immediate and direct impact on human lives, with
injuries and fatalities occurring during the disaster event.
• 2. Infrastructure Damage:
Destruction of buildings, roads, bridges, power lines,
and other critical infrastructure, leading to disruptions in
communication, transportation, and utilities.

22. • 3. Economic Loss:
Disruption to economic activities, loss of businesses,
agriculture, and livelihoods. The cost of rebuilding and
recovery can be substantial.
• 4. Humanitarian Crisis:
Displacement of populations, creation of refugees,
and an increased demand for emergency services,
shelter, food, and healthcare.
• 5. Health Impacts:
Spread of diseases due to contaminated water,
inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded living
conditions in temporary shelters.

23. • 6. Psychosocial Effects:
• Trauma, stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues
affecting individuals and communities, especially in the
aftermath of the disaster.
• 7. Environmental Consequences:
• Habitat destruction, soil erosion, pollution of air and
water, and long-term ecological impacts.
• 8. Social Disruption:
• Breakdown of social structures, communities, and
traditional ways of life. Disasters can exacerbate existing
social inequalities.
• 9. Educational Disruption:
• Closure of schools and educational institutions, hindering
the access to education for children and youth.

24. • 10. Disruption of Services:
• Interruption of essential services such as healthcare,
emergency response, and public services, leading to
further challenges in managing the crisis.
• 11. Communication Breakdown:
• Disruption of communication networks, making it
challenging to coordinate rescue and relief efforts.
• 12. Long-Term Environmental Changes:
• Some disasters, especially natural ones, can lead to
long-term changes in landscapes, ecosystems, and
climate patterns.

25. • 13. Increased Vulnerability:
• Disasters can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, such as
poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources, making
affected populations more susceptible to future crises.
• 14. Impact on Agriculture and Food Security:
• Destruction of crops, livestock, and agricultural infrastructure
can lead to food shortages and increased vulnerability to
hunger.
• 15. Economic Instability:
• Disasters can lead to economic recession or instability at
local, regional, or national levels, affecting employment, trade,
and financial systems.

26. Response mechanisms
• 1. Early Warning Systems:
• Implementation of systems to detect and alert communities
about imminent disasters, allowing for timely evacuation and
preparation.
• 2. Emergency Services Activation:
• Rapid mobilization of emergency services, including fire
departments, police, medical teams, and search and rescue
teams, to respond to immediate needs.
• 3. Evacuation and Sheltering:
• Establishment of evacuation plans, evacuation routes, and
shelters to move people out from harm and provide temporary
accommodation for displaced individuals.

27. • 4. Medical Assistance and Healthcare:
• Deployment of medical teams to provide emergency medical care,
treat injuries, and manage public health issues to prevent the spread
of diseases.
• 5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management:
• Coordination of logistics to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of
relief supplies, including food, water, shelter materials, and medical
supplies.
• 6. Search and Rescue Operations:
• Deployment of specialized teams to locate and rescue individuals
who may be trapped or stranded in the disaster-affected areas.
• 7. Communication and Information Management:
• Establishment of communication networks to facilitate coordination
among response agencies, disseminate information to the public,
and address misinformation.

28. • 8. Coordination and Collaboration:
• Collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, international
organizations, and local community groups to ensure a unified and
effective response.
• 9. Psychosocial Support:
• Provision of mental health and psychosocial support services to
individuals and communities affected by the disaster, addressing
trauma and stress.
• 10. Security and Law Enforcement:
• Maintenance of law and order, prevention of looting or violence, and
ensuring the safety of response teams and affected populations.
• 11. Assessment and Data Collection:
• Conducting rapid assessments to gather information on the extent of
the damage, identify immediate needs, and inform the allocation of
resources.

29. • 12. Recovery Planning:
• Initiating the early stages of recovery planning, including assessing
long-term needs, identifying reconstruction priorities, and developing
strategies for rebuilding.
• 13. International Assistance and Cooperation:
• Collaboration with international organizations and neighboring
countries for additional support, resources, and expertise.
• 14. Community Engagement and Empowerment:
• Involving affected communities in the decision-making process,
empowering them to actively participate in their recovery and
rebuilding efforts.
• 15. Public Information and Education:
• Providing accurate and timely information to the public about safety
measures, available resources, and the ongoing response and
recovery efforts.

31. Response and recovery
challenges
• Limited resources
• Infrastructure damage
• Logistical challenges
• Communication breakdown
• Security consensus
• Environmental hazards
• Public health risks
• Coordination and collaboration
• Long-term recovery planning
• Inequality and vulnerability
• Climate change and preparedness

32. Ways to mitigate the
effects of disaster
1. Preparedness and planning
o Early warning system
o Education
2. Infrastructure resilience
3. Land use planning
4. Emergency Response coordination

33. Let’s apply what we learn!
• Create a public awareness campaign
slogan. The slogan should aim to
educate the community about the
risks, preventive measures, and the
importance of preparedness.

34. Test your knowledge
• Choose a natural hazard or human-induced disaster that
occurred in your local setting.
• Discuss its causes, effects, and the impacts it had on the
community.
• Analyze the response and recovery efforts implemented
by the local government and community.
• Provide suggestions on how these efforts could be
improved to better address future occurrences.

35. Assignment
• Research and write a short essay on the importance of
disaster preparedness and risk reduction in your local
community.
• Include specific examples and recommendations for
improving disaster resilience.