INTRODUCTION TO

DISASTER CONCEPTS
SCI04 LECTURE 2
 By the end of this discussion I will be able to:
1. I can explain what a disaster is:
2. I can differentiate factors that put us at risk
3. I can explain when a disaster might happen.

Learning Objectives
Review

What is the difference

between disaster and
hazard?
What does this map represent?
 Disaster Risk
Disaster risk is expressed as the likelihood of loss of life, injury
or destruction and damage from a disaster in a given period of
time. It is widely recognized as the consequence of the
interaction between a hazard and the characteristics that make
people and places vulnerable and exposed.

(UNISDR Global Assessment Report 2015)

 DISASTER RISK
- “the probability that a community’s structure or
geographic area 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 (ADPC,
2012)
- the possibility of adverse effects in the future
The vulnerability of countries worldwide to extreme
natural events has declined. On average, people
are better prepared for natural hazards such as
cyclones or earthquakes than they were five years
ago.
“On a global scale, vulnerability to extreme
natural hazards has declined. Many countries have
learnt from previous disasters and are improving
disaster preparedness,” says Peter Mucke,
WorldRiskReport Project Director and Managing
Director of Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft.
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-risk-report-2017
Seatwork: Reading Activity
In 5-10 sentences, create a summary for the article.

Exposed: Why Vanuatu is the world's most 'at-risk'

country for natural hazards

Source:
http://www.dw.com/en/exposed-why-vanuatu-is-the-
worlds-most-at-risk-country-for-natural-hazards/a-
18319825
 Natural
Disaster

Coping
Disaster
Adaptation
Risk
Susceptibility
 World Risk Index Formula

𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑧𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑥 𝑣𝑢𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑘 =
𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑒

“…interaction between exposure to natural hazards including

the adverse effects of climate changes and the vulnerability of
societies.” (World Risk Report)
 Disaster
A result of the combination of:

1. The exposure to a hazard;

2. The conditions of vulnerability that are
present, and;
3. Insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or
cope with the potential negative
consequences.”
 Disaster Risk Factors
1. Physical factors: tangible objects or infrastructure
 availability of fire exits
 sturdiness of the building
 presence or absence of objects that can harm you
or help you
2. Psychological factors: state of mental capacity and
health, perception of self, etc.
 Are the involved babies? Kids? Adults? People with
special needs?
 self-assessment of capability to respond to
disasters, fear
 Disaster Risk Factors
3. Socio-cultural factors: religion, social status,
traditions, perception by society, etc.
4. Economic factors: assets and liabilities,
income, economic class, etc.
5. Political factors: government structure,
diplomatic issues, etc.
6. Biological factors: flora and fauna in
environment, health, diseases, etc.
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
Factors that make it more likely that those
affected will have more severe or longer lasting
stress reactions after disasters.

a) Severity of Exposure - highest at risk are

those that go through the disaster
themselves (direct exposure); next, those in
close contact with the victims, then those
who had indirect exposure.
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
Factors that make it more likely that those
affected will have more severe or longer lasting
stress reactions after disasters.

a) Severity of Exposure - highest at risk are

those that go through the disaster
themselves (direct exposure); next, those in
close contact with the victims, then those
who had indirect exposure.
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
Factors that make it more likely that those
affected will have more severe or longer lasting
stress reactions after disasters.

a) Severity of Exposure - highest at risk are

those that go through the disaster
themselves (direct exposure); next, those in
close contact with the victims, then those
who had indirect exposure.
 “At least half of the survivors from
Philippine Natural Disasters (Baguio
Earthquake, Mt. Pinatubo Eruption,
and Mudslides in Ormoc) suffer from
distress or mental health problems
that need clinical care.”
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
b) Gender and Family
■ Almost always, women or girls suffer more
negative effects than do men or boys.
■ Disaster recover is more stressful when children
are present
■ Women with spouses experience more distress
during recovery
■ Marital stress and conflict increase after disaster
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
b) Gender and Family
■ Almost always, women or girls suffer more
negative effects than do men or boys.
■ Disaster recover is more stressful when children
are present
■ Women with spouses experience more distress
during recovery
■ Marital stress and conflict increase after disaster
https://edition.cnn.com/20
16/03/23/opinions/child-
trafficking-natural-
disasters/index.html
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
c) Age
■ Adults who are in the range of 40-60 are likely
to be distressed after disasters because of
the feeling of more demands and from family
■ Children show severe distress after disasters
than adults
Risk Factors Underlying Disasters
d) Developing Countries
Disasters are worse when they occur in
developing countries
- Have severe mental health impact
- Natural disasters are generally thought to be
less serious than human-caused
 Effects of Natural Disasters on Human Life

e) Low or Negative Social Support

Social support can either be positive or
negative, both a risk and resilience factor.
Ex. Someone may play down their problems,
needs, or pain, or expect them to recover more
quickly
What are the effects of Natural
Disasters on Human Life?
a) Displaced Populations

Many people have to

abandon their homes and
seek shelter in other
regions
Influx or refugees can
disrupt accessibility of
health care and education
b) Health risks

- Secondary effect of the

disaster.
- Ex. Stagnant water allows
breeding of waterborne
bacteria and malaria
carrying mosquitoes
c) Food Scarcity

- Destruction of crops and

loss of agricultural
supplies
- Food prices rise, reducing
families’ purchasing
power
- Increase the risk of
severe malnutrition
c) Emotional Aftershocks

- Traumatic for young children

- Deaths of friends and loved
lead to development of PTSD
- If untreated, can be prone to
lasting psychological
damage and emotional
distress
Questions?
 Seatwork: Essay
1. Provide the definition for the assigned disaster risk
factor.
2. What are the Philippine-based elements which are
present in the disaster risk factor? To they lighten or
worsen Philippine's disaster risk?
3. What are the possible examples in this category that
does not affect the Philippines?
4. Suggest ways to address the disaster risk factor for
Filipinos to be ready for disasters.