Topic 2: DISASTER AND RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT

COMMON TYPES OF DISASTERS

a. NATURAL
i. Earthquakes vi. Landslides and mudflows
ii. Floods vii. Tsunamis
iii. Hurricanes/Typhoons viii. Volcanic eruptions
iv. Thunderstorms and Lightning ix. Wild fires
v. Heatwave and Drought x. Global warming

b. MAN-MADE
i. Nuclear and radiological
accidents
ii. Home and building fires
iii. Terrorism
iv. Ship and Maritime Accidents
v. Train and Railroad accidents
vi. Road accidents
vii. Bridge and Structural Collapses
GLOBAL WARMING - An increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere

REASON WHY THE PHILIPPINES IS FREQUENTLY VISITED BY DIFFERENT CALAMITIES

- The Philippines is located at the circum-pacific belt of fire and is always subject to natural
calamities like typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions,
which have brought about loss of lives and destruction of properties.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

a. Rising of sea level
b. repercussions to agriculture
c. reductions in the ozone layer
d. increased intensity and frequency of typhoons and extreme weather events,
e. spread of communicable diseases, and
f. mass extinction of animals and plants.

SOME SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL WARMING

a. Forego Fossil Fuels—eliminating the burning of coal, oil and, eventually, natural gas.
b. Consume Less—The easiest way to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions is simply to
buy less stuff
c. Purchase energy-efficient cars
d. Buy appliances that are energy efficient
e. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents
f. Employ house weatherization which requires as little heat and air conditioning as
possible
g. Stop Cutting Down Trees.Plant trees instead.
h. Talk to the community leaders about the solutions to global warming and work hand in
hand to help minimize global warming for the next generation.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - It refers to the organization and management of the resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies (preparedness, response,
mitigation, and recovery).
- The aim is to reduce the harmful effects of all hazards, including disasters.

EMERGENCY The World Health Organization defines an emergency as the state in which normal

procedures are interrupted, and immediate measures need to be taken to prevent that state turning
into a disaster. Thus, emergency management is crucial to avoid the disruption transforming into a
disaster, which is even harder to recover from.

DISASTERMANAGEMENT - Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management

of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in
particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CYCLE

1. Mitigation
Mitigation activities actually eliminate or reduce the probability of disaster occurrence, or
reduce the effects of unavoidable disasters. Mitigation measures include building codes;
 vulnerability analyses updates; zoning and land use management; building use regulations and
safety codes; preventive health care; and public education.

2. Preparedness
The goal of emergency preparedness programs is to achieve a satisfactory level of readiness
to respond to any emergency situation through programs that strengthen the technical and
managerial capacity of governments, organizations, and communities.
These measures can be described as logistical readiness to deal with disasters and can be
enhanced by having response mechanisms and procedures, rehearsals, developing long-term and
short-term strategies, public education and building early warning systems. Preparedness can also
take the form of ensuring that strategic reserves of food, equipment, water, medicines and other
essentials are maintained in cases of national or local catastrophes.

3. Response
The aim of emergency response is to provide immediate assistance to maintain life, improve
health and support the morale of the affected population. Such assistance may range from providing
specific but limited aid, such as assisting refugees with transport, temporary shelter, and food, to
establishing semi-permanent settlement in camps and other locations. It also may involve initial
repairs to damaged infrastructure. The focus in the response phase is on meeting the basic needs
of the people until more permanent and sustainable solutions can be found. Humanitarian
organizations are often strongly present in this phase of the disaster management cycle.

4. Recovery
As the emergency is brought under control, the affected population is capable of
undertaking a growing number of activities aimed at restoring their lives and the infrastructure
that supports them. There is no distinct point at which immediate relief changes into recovery and
then into long-term sustainable development. There will be many opportunities during the recovery
period to enhance prevention and increase preparedness, thus reducing vulnerability. Ideally, there
should be a smooth transition from recovery to on-going development.

ROLES OF THE LGUs - local government units (LGUs) are expected to be at the frontline of emergency
measures inthe aftermath of disasters to ensure the general welfare of its constituents, according to the
Local Government Code of 1991.

Roles of local government officials during disasters

A. Provincial Governors and City/Municipal Mayors
a. Carry out such emergency measures as may be necessary during, and in the
aftermath of, man-made and natural disasters and calamities
B. Provincial and City/Municipal Councils
a. Provide relief services and assistance for victims during and in the aftermath of
said disasters or calamities and their return to productive livelihood following
said events;
C. Other Local Officials
a. Be at the frontline of delivery of services related to their line of work,
particularly during, and in the aftermath of, man-made disasters and natural
calamities

FUNCTIONS of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs)
 1. Approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of local DRRM plans
2. Annually review, test and develop the local DRRM plans, consistent with other national and
local planning programs
3. Ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into local
development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable development and
poverty reduction
4. Recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents, if
necessary

LGUs have the primary responsibility as first disaster responders. Private sector and civil society groups
shall work with NDRRMC and concerned local DRRMCs

» Coordination between NDRRMC and local councils

The following take the lead in certain scenarios:
 Barangay Development Council, if one barangay is affected by a natural calamity or human-
induced disaster
 City/Municipal DRRMC, if 2 or more barangays are affected
 Provincial DRRMC, if 2 or more cities/municipalities are affected
 Regional DRRMC, if 2 or more provinces are affected
 NDRRMC, if 2 or more regions are affected