WEEK 3

Vulnerabilities of Different
Elements Exposed to Hazards
Maria Lourdes C. Villamater
After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Comprehend the different elements that may be exposed to

hazards;
2. Differentiate vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to
specific hazards;
3. Explain how different elements can become exposed to
hazard making it more vulnerable; and
4. Integrate the different vulnerabilities to understand the its
interconnection with one another.
Vulnerability can be seen as the result of a process in which various different
things cause a population to be more vulnerable. These can be split into
demographic and socio-economic. They can also be discussed through the level
of community preparedness and the ability of a community to manage the after
effects of a hazard event.

There are many aspects of vulnerability, arising from various physical, social,
economic, and environmental factors.

The Philippines is known to be very vulnerable to different kinds of disasters,

hence there is a need for strategies to increase awareness, information campaign
and disaster preparedness level among the Filipinos.
Vulnerability to Specific Hazards
There are many aspects of vulnerability, arising from various physical,
social, economic, and environemntal factors. Examples may include:
• Poor design and construction of buildings and other infrastructures;
• Inadequate protection measures of assets;
• Lack of public information and awarenesss;
• Limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and
• Disregard for wise environmental management. (ADPC, 2012)
 According to the UNISDR, there are four (4) main types of
vulnerability:
1. Physical Vulnerability may be determined by aspects such as population density levels,
remoteness of a setttlement, the site, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and for
housing United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)

2. Social Vulnerability refers to the inability of people, organizations and societies to withstand
adverse impacts to hazards due to characteristics inherent in social interactions, institutions and
systems of cultural values.
3. Economic Vulnerability – The level of vulnerability is highly dependent upon the economic
status of individuals, communities and nations. The poor are usually more vulnerable to disasters
because they lack the resources to build sturdy structures and put other engineering measures in
place to protect themselves from being negatively impacted by disasters. The same people are the
least prepared due to lack of access to education and information.
4. Environmental Vulnerability. Natural resource depletion and resource degradation are key
aspects of environmental vulnerability. This is one aspect that both communities and government
must be sensitive about. Mitigation measures like reforestation and natural resource protection and
conservation must be undertaken to reduce natural disaster risk and vulnerability.
 Elements at Risk and Exposed
to Hazards

Persons, houses, buildings, infrastructures,

transportation systems, financial establishments,
crops, environmental sources of living, and others like
societal components exposed to known hazard, which
are likely to be adversely by the impact of hazard.
 Philippines Exposure and
Vulnerabilities to Natural Disasters

According to a report, eight of 10 world cities most exposed to natural hazards are
in the Philippines and more than half of the 100 cities most exposed to
earthquakes, storms and other disasters are in four Asian nations, according to
research. (Philippine Star, 2014)
The study, published by risk analysis firm Verisk Maplecroft, analyzed the threat
posed by storms, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, volcanoes and landslides in
more than 1,300 cities.
The study found that the 10 cities most at risk are Port Vila in Vanuatu followed by
Tuguegarao in Cagayan, Lucena in Quezon province, (4) Manila, (5) San
Fernando in Pampanga, (6) San Carlos (The report did not indicate which
province in the Philippines but most likely in Pangasinan). and 10 Naga in Bicol
Region.
The study also found that of the 100 cities with the greatest exposure to natural
hazards, 21 are in the Philippines, 16 in China, 11 in Japan and 8 in Bangladesh.
 Based on RA 10121, hazard is defined as “ a
Hazard dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity,
or condition that may cause loss of lives , injuries, or
other health problems, property damages, loss of
livelihood and services, social and economic
disruptions, or environmental damage”

General Classification of Hazard

1. Natural hazard
Types of Hazards
Sociological
2. Man-made hazard Anthropogenic hazards
hazard
Technological
hazards

Elements Exposed to
Hazards
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Types of Hazards
Hewit and Burton (1971) provided a typology of hazards as follows.

1. ATMOSPHERIC
2. HYDROLOGIC
3. GEOLOGIC
4. BIOLOGIC
5. TECHNOLOGIC
1. Physical
Elements

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2. Environmental
Elements

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2. Environmental
Elements

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3.Social
Elements
LAND POLLUTION

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3.Social
Elements
3.Social
Elements

AIR POLLUTION
3.Social
Elements

WATER POLLUTION
3.Social
Elements
WATER POLLUTION
5. Economic
Elements