Introduction to

Disaster
 What is a disaster?
• a “sudden calamitous event bringing great damage,
loss, or destruction” - Merriam Webster Dictionary

• “sudden calamitous event that seriously disrupts the

functioning of a community or society’s ability to cope
up using its own resources” - International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies-IFRC

• “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community

or a society involving widespread human, material,
economic, or environmental losses and impacts which
exceeds the ability of the affected community to cope
up using its own resources” - Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010 or RA 10121
• A disaster
arises when
an extreme
natural event
(such as
typhoon,
floods,
earthquakes)
strikes a
vulnerable
society.
 What is a risk?
• the exposure of vulnerable communities
to a hazard

• is the potential of gaining or losing

something of value

• combination of the probability of an

event and its negative consequences -
(UNISDR, 2009)
• Understanding the nature of risks gives us the ability
to define what could happen in the future given a
range of possible alternatives.
• The risk from any disaster is influenced by the
interaction between several factors: hazard,
exposure, vulnerability and capacity
Hazard Dangerous phenomenon that may
cause loss of life, injury or other health
impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihood and services, social and
Hazard
economic disruption, or environmental
damage - (UNISDR, 2009)
Vulnerability

Elements at risk
Vulnerability
A set of conditions and processes
resulting from physical, social, economical
and environmental factors, which increase
Hazard
the susceptibility of a community to the
impact of hazards.

Vulnerability

Elements at risk
Elements The population, buildings and civil
at risk engineering works, economic
activities, public services, utilities and
infrastructure, etc., at risk in a given
Hazard
area.

Vulnerability

Elements at risk
ELEMENTS AT RISK
The population, buildings
and civil engineering
works, economic activities,
public services, utilities
and infrastructure, etc., at
risk in a given area.

Source: CNN Philippines

Exposure
the degree to which elements such as
people and properties are at risk to
potential losses due to a particular hazard.
Hazard -for example, communities living in coastal
areas are exposed to storm surges and
tsunamis
Vulnerability

Elements at risk
Capacity
The ability of a community, society or
organization, in terms of its available
resources, to support the people and to
Hazard
recover from the effects of a hazard. It can
be any form of physical, institutional,
social, human, or economic resources.
Vulnerability

Elements at risk
When does a HAZARD become
a DISASTER?
Hazard Disaster
 Hazard Disaster

A hazard becomes a disaster when it happens where

many people are living or have their livelihoods and causes
damage to them and their property.
 • The interaction of
hazard, exposure,
vulnerability, and
Hazard
capacity results in
disaster risk.
• In order to reduce
risk, the factors need
to be minimized.
Understanding how these factors contribute to risk can help
in the planning of measures to lessen the disaster risk.

• A hazard can be
mitigated by protecting
communities through
monitoring, providing
Hazard
early warning systems,
and preparation to
devise action plans.
Understanding how these factors contribute to risk can help
in the planning of measures to lessen the disaster risk.

• Minimizing exposure
to risk can be done by
relocating a community
to a low-risk area.
Hazard
Understanding how these factors contribute to risk can help
in the planning of measures to lessen the disaster risk.

• Vulnerability can be
reduced, while capacity
to recover can be
enhanced, through
several measures such Hazard
as government support,
organized communities,
quality education, and
management of natural
resources.
Types of Disaster
Disasters come in two forms: natural disasters and
man-made disasters. The forms can be further
classified as either major or minor disasters.
Types of Disaster
1. Natural disasters – it is type of disaster brought
about by naturally occurring phenomena. Based on
the extent of its damage, natural disasters can be
categorized as major or minor disasters.
• Major natural disasters – include cyclones, tsunamis,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and droughts because of
the large scale of their impact.
• Minor natural disasters – thunderstorms, heat waves,
mud slides, and cold waves are among the events classified
as minor natural disasters due to the smaller effects of these
phenomena
 Major Natural Disasters

Tsunami Volcanic eruption

Earthquake
Types of Disaster
2. Man-made disaster – it is type of disaster that is
directly traced to human actions, whether accidental
or intentional.
• Major man-made disasters – include fires,
deforestation, epidemic, wars, and chemical pollution
• Minor man-made disasters – include vehicular
accidents, food poisoning, industrial disasters, and
environmental pollution.
 Major Man-made Disasters

Deforestation Fire
War
Effects of Disaster

• Disasters may directly or indirectly inflict damages on

people, their properties, and the surroundings.
• According to the iceberg theory, the direct damages are
directly seen and felt during a disastrous event, while
indirect damages continue to be experienced even after
the disaster has occurred.
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios if it is hazard or disaster:
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios if it is hazard or disaster:
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios
if it is hazard or disaster:
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios if it is hazard or disaster:
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios if it is hazard or disaster:
Hazard vs Disaster
Identify the following scenarios if it is hazard or disaster:
Iceberg Theory

Directly experienced
damages during
disaster

Indirectly experienced
damages after
disaster
Iceberg Theory

the visible top of the

iceberg represents
the direct impact
experienced by
people as nature
vents its rage during
a disastrous event