Module 4:

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

Quarter 1 Week 4 Module 4

Explain the meaning of Vulnerability

I. Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

1. Explain the meaning of vulnerability
2. Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than
others

DAY 1

II. Objectives:

1. Define Vulnerability
2. Name factos that affect vulnerability

III. Introduction
This lesson focuses on enlightening students about the concept of vulnerability, why
certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than others. In line with that this
lesson also help them to appreciate the value of learning comprehensive risk reduction
management strategies.

IV. Study the Concept

Vulnerability
Vulnerability is a state of being at risk. According to Republic Act 10121 also known as ‘Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010’, vulnerability is defined as the characteristics and
circumstances of a community, system or resource that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a
hazard. With all the identified hazard at home, there is a possibility that some family members might be
susceptible or prone to the accident due to the presence of hazard.

Vulnerability is also situation specific. This means that if a specific province is prone to
earthquake, it does not mean that all localities on that province is vulnerable to it. The vulnerability of
different towns or cities or even provinces differ . in the way they prepare for the hazard and the amount
and type of resources they have in order prevent and manage it. To lessen vulnerability means to make
the community prepared and ready for the possible damaging effect of the hazard. This further means
that to make the community less vulnerable, it must be resilient. So, to develop resiliency at home, you
should first identify the hazards and be prepared all the time for the possible outcome and respond
immediately.

Moreover, it is also hazard specific. A community that is vulnerable to earthquake

hazard does not necessarily mean that it is also vulnerable to typhoons. Hazards have different traits
that can influence the disasters possible to happen.
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Factors Affecting Vulnerability

A. Physical factors include the location, environment and structures surrounding the
community.
1. Location (e.g. proximity to a volcano, mountain, earthquake-prone areas)
2. Environment - (e.g. tall trees, stray dogs and cats, dengue-prone areas)
3. Structural - (e.g. old buildings and fire exits, failed electrical systems)

Figure 1.People are feared trapped inside a small collapsed building at Porac town, Pampanga province, northern Philippines
Monday. (Vhic Y Naluz/Associated Press
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/earthquake-philippines-dead-buried-6-1-1.5106644

B. Social factors can be lack of disaster readiness of the community, unclear protocols,
uncooperative neighborhood and failure to participate in drills.
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C. Motivational factors include lack of trust of the community to their leaders, lack of
funds or either the funds are diverted to other programs if disaster readiness is not
prioritized.

Categories of Vulnerability
Vulnerabilities can be categorized into two (2). It can be hazard-specific and setting-
specific (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, n.d).

Hazard-Specific
● A characteristic which makes the element concerned susceptible to the force/s or
impact of a hazard.
● The geo-physical and locational attributes of the element/s concerned are considered in
this category.
● Based on the present-knowledge of the distribution and frequency of hazards, a
community or country may be threatened by specific hazards.
Setting-Specific
● This is concerned with the prevailing socio-economic arrangement of the area
concerned as to whether it is predominantly rural or urban.
● There are inherent setting characteristics that may be common to both as well as
exclusive to each which contribute to the general susceptibility of the area.

Day 2

Vulnerability of Different Sectors of Society Objective

I. Objective:
Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than others.

II. Introduction
Certain groups of people are more susceptible to damage, loss and suffering than others
(Wisner et al., 2004). They are referred to as vulnerable groups. Vulnerable groups find it hardest
to reconstruct their livelihoods following a disaster, and this in turn makes them more vulnerable to
the effects of subsequent hazard events (Wisner et al., 2004). Consequently, we have to reduce
vulnerability in order to reduce disaster risk.

III. Study the Concept

Due to its geographical location, the Philippines is exposed to different types of hazards,
like typhoons. When a typhoon hits a specific community, the degree or level of vulnerability varies
due to some factors that might affect the capacity and resiliency of different sectors of society. Two of
the most important factors that affect the vulnerability of different sectors of society include socio-
economic status and demographic factors.

Socio-economic Factors
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Socioeconomic status is the social standing or class of an individual or group (American Psychological
Association). It plays a vital role on why some sectors of society are more vulnerable than others

Figure 2. Fire in Tondo, Manila.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/10/24/1962746/2-siblings-die-tondo-fire

Here is an example: There are some families whose houses are not compliant to the National Building
Code of the Philippines (materials, structure, ventilation, sanitation, and others). When a huge fire
hits their location, their houses are more likely to be affected or destroyed. While families that reside
in a structurally sound concrete homes or high-rise condominium, have lesser vulnerability (Quipper
Limited, 2018).

Migrants, people who move from one place to another, especially in order to find work or better
living conditions, are also the ones who suffer most when disaster strikes because of their
unfamiliarity with their current place of settlement. The government tends to prioritize its citizens
first. They can be classified as Internally-displaced persons (IDP), a group of persons who are forced
or obliged to leave or to flee their homes, or places of habitual residence to avoid the effects of
armed conflicts, violations of human rights, and natural and man-made disasters; and have not
crossed an internationally recognized state border (Quipper Limited, 2018).

Demographic Factors
Demographics is the study of a population based on factors such as age, race, and sex
(Investopedia, 2019). The age of the population is also a prime factor in determining the level of
vulnerability. The young and seniors living in communities are more vulnerable because of their
inability to respond and cope with disasters. They require more attention from the government and
society during emergencies.
Social groups such as the marginalized (groups excluded or underrepresented in planning
and decision-making) are those discriminated during the post-disaster rescue, relief operations,
recovery, and rehabilitation efforts. These groups of people are not biologically excluded but
separated through socially constructed barriers.
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The following are the most commonly identified marginalized or excluded

groups in times of emergencies:
● pregnant women
● racial or ethnic minority
● mentally and physically challenged individuals
● tourists
● migrants