COURSE CODE DRRR CRITICAL THINKING

INNOVATIVE THINKING
EMPATHY
COURSE TITLE Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
RESILIENCE
TEAMWORK
COMMUNICATION
SEMESTER PERIOD 2020-21
3&4
PERIOD WEEK 2: Understanding DRR and DRRM

INTRODUCTION

In the previous unit, you have been introduced to the various aspects of each natural
hazard. Our understanding of hazards has gone a long way, but we are far from being able
to use the full potential science and technology can offer to deal with hazards. The truth is,
science and technology alone will not do the job of risk reduction. A more holistic
approach involving reducing exposure and vulnerability is the key. The aim of disaster risk
reduction and disaster management is to minimize casualties and other effects of natural
hazards, in other words to avoid disasters from happening. It is now time to put into action
what you have learned about disaster risk (hazards, exposure and vulnerability).

Intended Learning Outcomes (Learning Competencies)

➢ Understand the concept, principles and relevance of disaster risk reduction and
management;
➢ Discuss different community-based practices for managing disaster risk to
specific hazards; and
➢ Explain how the Local Government Units (LGUs) are empowered by the DRRM
Law in addressing the disaster reduction and management needs.

TOPIC 1: Concept, Principles, and Relevance of

Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is a term used for reducing and preventing disaster risks.
It is founded on the principle that while hazards are inevitable, its adverse effects like lost
lives and/or destruction of property are not. There are steps that we can do to ensure
reduction of risks. DRR actions can be political, technical, social and economic.

Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of several things:

• the exposure to a hazard;
• the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and
• insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative
consequences.

Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other negative effects on
human, physical, mental and social well-being, together with damage to property,
destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruption and environmental
degradation.
 RISK
The word “risk” has two connotations: in
general usage the emphasis is usually
placed on the concept of chance or
possibility on an event and its negative
consequence, such as in “the risk of an
accident”; whereas in technical settings the
emphasis is usually placed on the
consequences, in terms of “potential
losses” for some cause, place and period.
HAZARD
Defined as a “dangerous phenomenon,
substance, human activity or condition that
may cause loss of life, injury or other health
impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services, social and
economic disruption, or environmental
damage”.

VULNERABILITY
Defined as a “dangerous phenomenon,
substance, human activity or condition that
may cause loss of life, injury or other health
impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services, social and
economic disruption, or environmental
damage”.
CAPACITY
Defined as the combination of all the
strengths, attributes and resources
available within a community, society or
organization that can be used to achieve
agreed goals.

It is important to differentiate hazard from disaster. The phrase “natural disaster”

which is widely used often causes confusion and has been the subject of debates.

“Strictly speaking there are no such things as natural disasters, but there are natural
hazards. A disaster is the result of a hazard’s impact on society. So, the effects of a
disaster are determined by the extent of a community’s vulnerability to the hazard
(conversely, its ability, or capacity to cope with it). This vulnerability is not natural, but the
result of an entire range of constantly changing physical, social, economic, cultural, political
and even psychological factors that shape people’s lives and create the environments in
which they live.” Twigg (2001).

Interaction between Risk, Hazard,

Vulnerability, and Capability Hazards do
not necessarily constitute disaster.
Risk (R) = Hazard (H) x Vulnerability (V)
Disasters are usually described in terms Capacity (C)
of the effects which a hazard has on
lives, property, environment and the
cost of recovery or rehabilitation.
Hazards will always be present; therefore, disaster reduction strategies primarily include
vulnerability and risk assessment. The following are some factors that can affect the
vulnerability of a community:

POLITICAL FACTORS
“a community’s vulnerability can be linked ECONOMIC FACTORS
to political will and commitment to “poverty has the single most important
developmental concerns” influence on vulnerability”

“lack of access to resources, infrastructure,

basic services and information can
increase vulnerability”
PHYSICAL FACTORS
“access to suitable land, proper housing
design, building materials and
accessibility of services”
“poor physical environment exposes
people to hazards such as landslides,
floods, fires, wind, disease, and epidemics”
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
“scarcity of resources in a community can
reduce the coping solutions and recovery
from a disaster”
“economic status also relates to the
capacity of a community to cope and
recover from adverse effects; poverty
eradication and creation of sustainable
livelihoods are essential part of disaster
risk reduction”
SOCIAL FACTORS
“level of education, training, safety and
security, information and awareness,
cultural beliefs, traditional values
contribute to social wellbeing”
“lack of awareness and access to
information can result in increase of
vulnerability”

Disaster Risk Reduction usually requires long-term planning across sectors and must be
integrated into general national and regional development strategies.

Disaster Risk Management

Disaster Risk Management Disaster Risk Management

Prevention Mitigation Adaptation Preparedness Relief Recovery

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and its Components

 PRE-EVENT
The outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards and related
disasters.

Prevention expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid

Prevention
potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance. Can be in the
form of proper land use or using suitable engineering design. (However,
oftentimes complete avoidance of losses is not feasible, and the task
transforms to that of mitigation)
The lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and related
disasters. While the adverse impacts of hazards often cannot be
prevented fully, their scale or severity can be substantially lessened by
Mitigation various strategies and actions.

Mitigation measures involve a wide range of elements from engineering

techniques to environmental policies and even public awareness.
The adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or
exploits beneficial opportunities.
Adaptation
This definition addresses the concerns of climate change and is sourced
from the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional
response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to
effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely,
imminent or current hazard events or conditions.
Preparedness
Preparedness action is carried out within the context of disaster risk
management and aims to build the capacities needed to efficiently
manage all types of emergencies and achieve orderly transitions from
response through to sustained recovery.

POST-EVENT
The provision of emergency services and public assistance during or
immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts,
Response ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people
affected. Disaster response is predominantly focused on immediate and
short-term needs and is sometimes called “disaster relief”.
The restoration, and improvement where appropriate, of facilities,
livelihoods and living conditions of disaster-affected communities,
including efforts to reduce disaster risk factors.
Recovery
The recovery task of rehabilitation and reconstruction begins soon after
the emergency phase has ended and should be based on pre-existing
strategies and policies that facilitate clear institutional responsibilities for
recovery action and enable public participation.
 TOPIC 2: Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management

Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM) engages

communities not only in DRR but also in all phases of the disaster management cycle. The
tasks of decision-making and activity implementation rest primarily on local people and
organizations with the national government assuming a supportive partner’s role.
• Community-based DRRM involves both community insiders and outsiders. Those who
belong to the community include individuals, families, organizations, LGUs, and
stakeholders. People from all walks of life are needed to perform the multitude of
actions that are necessary
• Families can practice DRRM with the smaller hazards they are exposed to at home and
later, with the hazards affecting bigger areas in mind
• The national government agencies (NGAS), NGOS, the private entities, and the UN
agencies provide various forms of support (technical, material, financial) to community-
based DRRM efforts
• Educational institutions are indispensable actors in community-based DRRM. Students
can be counted among the most vulnerable sectors of the population. Yet, because of
nature of schools and students, they could be the most potent agents not only of
disaster preparedness but in all aspects of the disaster management cycle.
• The conduct of activities such as earthquake drill or fire drill is an excellent method of
training school children to be active participants in community-based DRRM efforts.
The knowledge and skills they have acquired from these are transferred directly to their
families and to their communities.
The following are considered as good community-based practices, they provide an indication
of the successes achieved so far and an idea of what could be achieved in the future.

Project about raising awareness:

TEACHING GUIDE AND QUIZ COMPETITIONS HELP ENHANCE PREPAREDNESS IN GRENADA

Grenada is a Caribbean state that gets affected by tropical cyclones. Poor preparedness and
response during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 indicated that the awareness and understanding of risk
were insufficient in all sectors of their society. A teaching guide intended for Grade 3 to 5 learners
on disaster preparedness was developed under the joint coordination of the Ministry of Education
and UNICEF in Grenada. Training sessions were also conducted to train teachers on how to prevent
disasters. The teaching guide helped the teachers organize the annual "National Disaster
Awareness Week Primary School Quiz" competition and prepare their learners for the event.

IMPACTS LESSONS LEARNED

• A single teaching guide can make a

• An increase in the participation and level
difference in increasing awareness and
of knowledge of Grade 5 learners in the
knowledge of disaster reduction among school
"National Disaster Awareness Week Primary
learners, teachers and the public at large.
School Quiz".
• Organizers had to be sensitive with regard
• As a result of the training, disaster-related
to the competing schools' workload at that
discussions began in school, where teachers and
time of year, which includes school activities
school administrators shared their experiences
and commitments.
of Hurricane Ivan and stressed the importance
• School quiz requires a coordinator with
of psychological first aid resources.
excellent organization skills to manage the
• Subsequently, disaster managers learned
scope of preparations necessary for a national-
to incorporate psychological first aid into their
level activity. Also, the support from the body
presentations to schools and school groups.
which has control over primary schools (i.e.
DepEd)

Project about promoting prevention:

CHILDREN ASSESS THEIR OWN VULNERABILITIES, PLAN RISK REDUCTION IN THE
PHILIPPINES
More than half of the population at risk in the Philippines is children, yet their specific
vulnerabilities, needs and capacities have not been addressed, nor has their potential role in
disaster risk reduction (DRR) been recognized. To address this, a project called “Child-Oriented
Participatory Risk Assessment and Planning” (COPRAP) was implemented. The project promoted
disaster planning for children through development of tools that help children identify their own
needs, vulnerabilities and capacities. Subsequently, the community adopted DRR measures that
benefited both the children and the rest of the community. More importantly, the Project paved
the way for local-level initiatives towards an integrated and sustainable approach to development

IMPACTS LESSONS LEARNED

• Children can play specific roles

• The project was sustainable, and it
paved the way for local level initiatives toward
an integrated and sustainable approach to
development.
• It debunked the notion that disaster
management is solely the responsibility of
adults.
before, during and after a disaster such as
preparation of supplies or other basic needs
• In addition to food and clothing,
children have a primary need for educational
material such as books, bags, pencils and
notebooks.
• Questionnaires and activities help
understand the needs of a community before,
during and after a disaster.
 Project about raising awareness:

ANNUAL “EARTHQUAKE AND SAFETY” DRILLS IN ALL SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Iran has sought to educate children and youngsters on disaster preparedness at all school levels on
a national scale, in both urban and rural areas. “Earthquake and Safety” programs have been
carried out in the country since 1991 by the Iran-based International Institute of Earthquake
Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), and school safety programs have been under way since 1996.

The Initiative, called “Earthquake and Safety Drills in Schools”, is part of a series of activities aimed
at protecting people, especially children, from the impacts of future earthquakes. The Initiative also
involves developing and implementing a comprehensive program that addresses all groups in
society.

IMPACTS LESSONS LEARNED

• The drills have helped expand a • Education plays a key role in

seismic safety culture, spread the “drill” promoting safety measures against
experience to non-school areas, and make earthquakes and spreading them in the society.
“Earthquake and Safety” a national activity. • A major challenge initially was to
• Promotes a culture of safety at all secure the cooperation of many institutions
levels of society. and organizations such as mass media . This
• Increase children’s knowledge, and was overcome through persistent advocacy
share this knowledge with their families, friends and continuous follow-up to secure
and community cooperation of many institutions. community
before, during and after a disaster.

TOPIC 3: Community Preparedness Plan

Good Practices for DRR

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan aims to provide policies,
plans and programs to deal with disasters in the Philippines. It also serves as “the
principal guide to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) efforts to the
country….” The Framework envisions a country of “safer, adaptive and disaster resilient
Filipino communities toward sustainable development.”

Four (4) themes in disaster risk reduction management framework

1. Disaster prevention and mitigation
2. Disaster preparedness
3. Disaster response
4. Disaster rehabilitation and recovery
Disaster prevention – the outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards and related
disasters. It expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid potential adverse
impacts through action taken in advance such as construction of infrastructure to
eliminate certain risks, land use regulation that do not permit any settlement in high-risk
zones and seismic engineering designs that ensure the integrity of building in an
earthquake.

Disaster mitigation – the lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and
related disasters. Mitigation measures encompass engineering techniques and hazard-
resilient construction as well as improved environmental policies and public awareness.

Disaster preparedness – the knowledge and capacities developed by governments,

professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to
effectively anticipate respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or
current hazard events or conditions.

Disaster response - The provision of emergency services and public assistance during or
immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public
safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected.

Disaster rehabilitation and recovery - The restoration, and improvement where

appropriate, of facilities, livelihoods and living conditions of disaster-affected
communities, including efforts to reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the
principle of “build back better”.

Rehabilitation – measures that ensure the ability of affected communities and/or areas
to restore their normal level of function by rebuilding livelihood and damaged
infrastructure and increasing the communities’ organizational capacity.

EVALUATION
PREVENTION PREVENTION
REHABILITATION
AND PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE AND
AND RECOVERY
MITIGATION MITIGATION
Disaster risk reduction in national
and local plans and programs.
Hazard and risk mapping
Activities related to ensuring the (a)
people are prepared and (b) response
will be carried out efficiently and
effectively
Restoration of lifelines and basic
infrastructure. Early recovery
Long term recovery and prevention
and mitigation (building back better)
To better understand how this applies to disaster planning, the following are the roles and
overall goals of some government agencies in the context of the 4 thematic areas.

DISASTER PREVENTION AND MITIGATION

GOAL: Restore and improve facilities, livelihood and living

conditions and organization capacities of affected communities and
reduce disaster risks in accordance with the ”build back better”
principle.

NATIONAL 1. Restore people’s means of livelihood and continuity of economic

ECONOMIC activities.
AND
DEVELOPMENT 2. Restore shelter and other installations
AUTHORITY (NEDA)
3. Reconstruct infrastructure and other public utilities

4. Assist in the physical and psychological rehabilitation of persons

who suffered from the effects of disaster

Tasked to provide accurate and timely advice to national or local

organizations and to the public regarding disasters.

PHILIPPINE This is accomplished using television, radio, cable, and through

INFORMATION wireless and landline means of communication. The traditional tri-
AGENCY (PIA) media (television, radio, and newspaper) and Internet-based media
had also been instrumental in supplementing the government's
disaster information functions.

GOAL: Avoid hazards and mitigate their potential impacts by

reducing vulnerabilities and exposure and enhancing capacities of
communities.
DEPARTMENT OF
SCIENCE AND • Reduce vulnerabilities and exposure of communities to health
TECHNOLOGY hazards
(DOST)
• Enhance capacities of communities to reduce their own risks and
cope with the impacts of all hazards

GOAL: Provide life preservation and meet the basic subsistence

needs of affected population based in acceptable standards during
DEPARTMENT OF or immediately after a disaster
THE
INTERIOR AND 1. Decrease the number of preventable deaths and injuries
LOCAL
GOVERNMENT 2. Provide basic subsistence needs of affected population
(DILG)
3. Immediately restore basic social services
Activities for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness like earthquake drills are done
around the country in coordination with NDRRMC and the Local Government Units.
(Getty Images)

The Intelligent Operations Center of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council was created after Typhoon "Yolanda" ("Haiyan") ravaged the country.
(Reddit Philippines/MatthewLorenz)
 FUNCTIONS OF THE NDRRMC

A. Develop a NDRRM Framework (NDRRMF) which shall provide for a

comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach
to disaster risk reduction and management. The Framework shall serve as the principal
guide to disaster risk reduction and management efforts in the country and shall be
reviewed on a five (5)-year interval, or as may be deemed necessary, in order to ensure
its relevance to the times.
B. Ensure that the NDRRM Plan (NDRRMP) is consistent with the NDRRMF.
C. Advise the President on the status of disaster preparedness, prevention,
mitigation, response and rehabilitation operations being undertaken by the
government, CSOs, private sector, and volunteers; recommend to the President the
declaration of a state of calamity in areas extensively damaged; and submit proposals to
restore normalcy in the affected areas, to include calamity fund allocation.
D. Ensure a multi-stakeholder participation in the development, updating, and
sharing of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System and
Geographic Information System-based national risk map as policy, planning and
decision-making tools.
E. Establish a national early warning and emergency alert system to provide
accurate and timely advice to national or local emergency response organizations and to
the general public through diverse mass media to include digital and analog broadcast,
cable, satellite television and radio, wireless communications, and landline
communications.
F. Develop appropriate risk transfer mechanisms that shall guarantee social
and economic protection and increase resiliency in the face of disaster.
G. Monitor the development and enforcement by agencies and organizations
of the various laws, guidelines, codes or technical standards required by this Act.
H. Manage and mobilize resources for disaster risk reduction and management
including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
J. Develop assessment tools on the existing and potential hazards and risks
brought about by climate change to vulnerable areas and ecosystems in coordination
with the Climate Change Commission.
K. Develop vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms for a more
coherent implementation of disaster risk reduction and management policies and
programs by sectoral agencies and LGUs.
L. Formulate a national institutional capability building program for disaster
risk reduction and management to address the specific’ weaknesses of various
government agencies and LGUs, based on the results of a biennial baseline assessment
and studies.
M. Formulate, harmonize, and translate into policies a national agenda for
research and technology development on disaster risk reduction and management.
N. In coordination with the Climate Change Commission, formulate and
implement a framework for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction
and management from which all policies, programs, and projects shall be based.
 FUNCTIONS OF THE NDRRMC

O. Constitute a technical management group composed of representatives of the

abovementioned departments, offices, and organizations, that shall coordinate and meet as
often as necessary to effectively manage and sustain national efforts on disaster risk reduction
and management.
P. Task the OCD to conduct periodic assessment and performance monitoring of
the member-agencies of the NDRRMC, and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Councils (RDRRMCs), as defined in the NDRRMP.
Q. Coordinate or oversee the Implementation of the country’s obligations with
disaster management treaties to which it IS a party and see to It that the country’s disaster
management treaty obligations be incorporated in its disaster risk reduction and management
frameworks, policies, plans, programs and projects.

FUNCTIONS OF THE RDRRMC

A. Coordinate, integrate, supervise, and evaluate the activities of the local disaster
risk reduction and management councils
B. Responsible in ensuring disaster sensitive regional development plans, and in case
of emergencies shall convene the different regional line agencies and concerned institutions and
authorities.
C. Establish an operating facility to be known as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Operations Center (RDRRMC) whenever necessary

FUNCTIONS OF THE LDRRMCS

A. Approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the LDRRMPs and regularly
review and test the plan consistent with other national and local planning programs.
B. 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.
C. Recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of residents,
if necessary.
D. Convene the local council once every three (3) months or as necessary.

DISASTER VOLUNTEERS

A. Mobilization of volunteers may be undertaken by government agencies, civil service

organizations, private sector, and local government units.
B. Enhancement, welfare, and protection of the volunteers will be the responsibility of the
agencies, civil service organizations, private sector, or local government unit which assembled
them.
C. Accreditation and inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers are done
at municipal or city level.
D. Volunteers will follow guidelines set by the NDRRMC.
E. Volunteers are entitled to compensatory benefits and insurance under the guidelines.
 Activity 1: Family Emergency Plan

Instructions:
• Each family is expected to have its own set of emergency plan as part of its
preparedness before disasters strike. Make an emergency plan by completing the
table below.
• Submit your answers in a PDF file with filename: Surname_Module3_Section
(Deadline: November 19, 2021 at 11:59PM)
• Upload your output in USTeP>Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction>under Week 2
Activities> Activity 1 (Family Emergency Plan)

I. FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

1. Sketch or draw an Emergency Map of your House and the route to the nearest evacuation
area.

II. SURVIVAL KIT

One of the essential measures every family should have is a survival kit. Make a list of the
things or the minimum essentials that you need to have in a survival kit good for 3 days.
Identify 5 items. An example is given for your guide.
Essential Item Recommended amount in a survival kit good for 3 days

1. water 1 gallon per person, per day

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
 REFERENCES

1. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok under Capacity Building in

Asia using Information Technology Applications (CASITA) project-
http://www.adpc.net/casita/course- materials/Mod-2-Hazards.pdf
2. R. Rimando & J. Belen (2016) Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction, Rex Publishing
Inc.
3. R. & D. Papa, et al. Earth and Life Science Knowing and Understanding Nature .
Abiva Publishing Inc.

Prepared by:

Florianne T Consolacion
Nicole Adelle G Tacandong
Department of Environmental Science and Technology