Disaster Readiness and

Risk Reduction
Module 1:
Basic Concept of Disaster and
Disaster Risk

BSBT College, Inc.

434 Magsaysay Avenue
Senior High School Department
SY: 2021 - 2022
Introductory Message
 This Module is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and
learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully
stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each Module is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by step as
you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you. Included on the module are activities
and assessment to self-check your learning.
Please use this module with care. You can mark on this module for your outline and
additional notes. Use a separate sheet of paper (short bond paper) to be compiled for your
answers. Kindly read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this Module or any difficulty in answering the tasks in
this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 1. Explain the meaning of disaster; DRR11/12-Ia-b-1
2. Differentiate the risk factors underlying disasters; DRR11/12-Ia-b-2
3. Describe the effects of disasters on one’s life; DRR11/12-Ia-b-3
4. Explain how and when an event becomes a disaster; DRR11/12-Ia-b-4
5. Identify areas/locations exposed to hazards that may lead to disasters; and DRR11/12-Ia-
b-5
6. Analyze disaster from the different perspectives (physical, psychological, socio-cultural,
economic, political, and biological). DRR11/12-Ia-b-6
7. Enumerate elements exposed to hazards; DRR11/12-Ic-7
8. Explain the meaning of vulnerability; DRR11/12-Ic-8
9. Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than others;
DRR11/12-Ic-9
10. Analyze why certain structures are more vulnerable to specific hazards than others;
DRR11/12-Ic-10
11. Determine the elements that are exposed to a particular hazard; DRR11/12-Id-11
12. Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to specific hazards; and
DRR11/12-Id-12
13. Differentiate among hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities and give examples from
actual situations. DRR11/12-Id-13

Introduction
 The Philippines has experienced from an inexhaustible number of deadly earthquakes,
volcano eruptions, and other natural disasters. This is due to its location along the Ring of Fire,
a large Pacific Ocean region where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. In this
module we will learning about disaster, what are the causes of disaster, the effects of disaster,
and the risk of disaster. Also in this module we will be learning hazard, exposure and
vulnerabilities when it comes to disaster.
What is a Disaster?
 a sudden event that causes great damage or loss of life.
 serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope
using its own resources.
 can be caused by natural, man-made and technological hazards, as well as various
factors that influence the exposure and vulnerability of a community.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2008), disaster is “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 or society to cope using its own resources”. Any adverse episode or
phenomenon can exploit a vulnerability in the affected population or community to create
damage and this awareness will form the basis for an adequate intervention. Meanwhile,
the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines disaster as 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 or society to cope using its own resources.
Meanwhile, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction defines
disaster as 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 or society to cope using its own resources.
Disasters are often a result of the combination of: 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.
Activity 1
Instructions: Analyze the given images and answer the given questions below: Write your
answers on a separate sheet

1. In two to three sentences, describe the given images.

 2. List down the disasters that you can identify from the images.
Types of Disaster
Natural Disaster
A natural phenomenon is caused by natural forces, such as earthquakes, typhoon, volcanic
eruptions, hurricanes, fires, tornados, and extreme temperatures. They can be classified as rapid onset
disasters and those with progressive onset, such as droughts that lead to famine. These events, usually
sudden, can have tremendous effects

They are large-scale geological or meteorological events that have the potential to cause
loss of life or property. These types of disasters include:

 Tornadoes and Severe Storms

 Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
 Floods
 Wildfires
 Earthquakes
 Drought

These meteorological events are occasionally preceded by presidential “emergency

declarations” requiring state and local planning prior to the event, such as evacuations and
protection of public assets.

Human-Caused Disaster
Examples include industrial accidents, shootings, acts of terrorism, and incidents of mass
violence. As with natural disasters, these types of traumatic events may also cause loss of life
and property. They may also prompt evacuations from certain areas and overwhelm behavioral
health resources in the affected communities.
Human-Caused disasters have an element of human intent, negligence, or error
involving a failure of a man-made system, as opposed to natural disasters resulting from natural
hazards. Such man-made disasters are crime, arson, civil disorder, terrorism, war,
biological/chemical threat, cyber-attacks, etc.

Types of Human-Caused Disasters:

1. Bomb Threat
2. Civil Unrest
3. Cyber Security
4. Disabilities Evacuation
5. Emergency Drills
6. Active Shooter/Active Threat
7. Power Outage
Activity 2

1. Arranged the given jumbled letters to identify the correct terminology. The definition
will help you to derive the correct answer. Answering this activity will develop your
visual and analysis skills. Write your answer in your answer sheet.

JUMBLED LETTERS DEFINITION

1. RTAIESSD A sudden calamitous event, bringing
great damage, loss, destruction, and
devastation.
2. GRNI FO IEFR A path along the Pacific Ocean
characterized by active volcanoes and
frequent earthquakes.
3. TALAYMIC An event causing great and often sudden
damage or distress.
4. AQRHTEKEAU Shaking of earth caused by waves moving
on and below the earth's surface.
5. ICNLOVAC IPREOUTN When lava and gas are discharged from a
volcanic vent.
6. CFCPIAI NEAOC Largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic
divisions.
7. OOYNHPT Type of tropical cyclone, or severe
tropical storm.
8. LTARUNA RTAIESDS A natural event such as a flood,
earthquake, or hurricane that causes
great damage or loss of life.
9. ETUTODSRCIN A sudden or great misfortune or failure.
10. NMA EDMA RESTSAID Caused by man are those in which major
direct causes are identifiable intentional
or non-intentional human actions.

2. Identify the given set of images if it is Natural or Human-Caused. Put your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

"Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines" Explosion in Beirut, Lebanon

 Tsunami in Japan
Mayon Volcano Eruption

Vehicular Accident along Bokawkan Rd. Chernobyl Nuclear

Risk and Disaster Risk

What is Risk?
It is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse
health effect if exposed to a hazard. It may also apply to situations with property or equipment
loss, or harmful effects on the environment.
These risks are expressed as a probability or likelihood of developing a disease or getting
injured, whereas hazard refers to the agent responsible
Factors that influence the degree or likelihood of risk are:

 the nature of the exposure: how much a person is exposed to a hazardous thing or
condition (e.g., several times a day or once a year),
 how the person is exposed (e.g., breathing in a vapour, skin contact), and
 the severity of the effect. For example, one substance may cause skin cancer, while
another may cause skin irritation. Cancer is a much more serious effect than irritation.

What is Disaster Risk?

The term disaster risk refers to the potential (not actual and realized) disaster losses, in
lives, health status, livelihoods, assets, and services which could occur in a community or
society over some specified future time period.
Disaster risk is the product of the possible damage caused by a hazard due to the
vulnerability within a community. It should be noted that the effect of a hazard (of a particular
magnitude) would affect communities differently (Von Kotze, 1999:35).
 It can also be determined by the presence of three variables: hazards (natural or
anthropogenic); vulnerability to a hazard; and coping capacity linked to the reduction,
mitigation, and resilience to the vulnerability of a community.
Definitions of Terminology

Hazard - A hazard is a source or condition that has the potential to cause harm to humans in
the form of injury or illness, property damage, environmental damage, or a combination of
these.

A. A natural hazard occurs when an extreme natural event is destructive to human life and
property. This event could interfere with activities in a minor way such as when strong
winds blow trees down, or this event could completely disrupt activities like a large
earthquake damaging your home, business or school. These natural events have been
happening for thousands of years (a long time before we were even around!), but they
only become hazards when humans are affected in some way.

B. Human-made induced hazards are caused by human activities. Unlike natural hazards,
human-made hazards can often be prevented.

 Examples:
1. Technological/industrial disasters - Unregulated industrialization and inadequate safety
standards increase the risk for industrial disasters. Examples: leaks of hazardous
materials; accidental explosions; bridge or road collapses, or vehicle collisions; Power
cuts

2. Terrorism/Violence - the threat of terrorism has also increased due to the spread of
technologies involving nuclear, biological, and chemical agents used to develop
weapons of mass destruction. Examples: bombs or explosions; release of chemical
materials; release of biological agents; release of radioactive agents; multiple or massive
shootings; mutinies

3. Complex humanitarian emergencies - the term complex emergency is usually used to

describe the humanitarian emergency resulting from an international or civil war. In
such situations, large numbers of people are displaced from their homes due to the lack
of personal safety and the disruption of basic infrastructure including food distribution,
water, electricity, and sanitation, or communities are left stranded and isolated in their
own homes unable to access assistance. Examples: conflicts or wars and Genocide the
deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group
or nation

Disaster Risk Reduction - aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and
managing residual risk, all of which contribute to strengthening resilience and therefore to the
achievement of sustainable development". The UNDRR definition further annotates that
“disaster risk reduction is the policy objective of disaster risk management, and its goals and
objectives are defined in disaster risk reduction strategies and plans". Disaster Risk Reduction
strategies and policies define goals and objectives across different timescales, with concrete
targets, indicators and time frames.

Disaster Risk Management - the application of disaster risk reduction policies and strategies, to
prevent new disaster risks, reduce existing disaster risks, and manage residual risks,
contributing to the strengthening of resilience and reduction of losses. Disaster risk
management actions can be categorized into; prospective disaster risk management, corrective
disaster risk management and compensatory disaster risk management (also referred to as
residual risk management).

Activity 3

1. Direction: In this activity, you must identify the classification of disaster as well as the
disaster risk of a given disaster situations. Accomplish the table below. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Disasters Classification of Disaster Disaster Risks (Effects)

(Natural or Human
Induced Hazard)
1. typhoon
2. war conflicts
3. volcanic eruption
4. chemical leakages
5. vehicular accident
6. earthquake
7. drought
8. thunderstorms
9. tuberculosis
10.rainfall-induced
landslide
11.floods in rivers and
coastal areas
12.avalanche
13.tsunami
14. bomb explosion
15.house

2. Give a man-made disaster you experienced within your locality or you had heard from
the news recently. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Disaster Human Induced Hazard

 3. Do you think you are relatively well prepared when a disaster might affect your
community either natural or man-made as well as to its effects? List down five (5)
important things that you need to prepare in order to lessen the possible danger that
you and your family might encounter when a disaster strike. Explain your answers
briefly and write it on your answer sheet.

Exposure and Vulnerability

What is Exposure?
The situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production capacities and other
tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas.
Exposure is one of the defining components of disaster risk.
RISK = HAZARD x EXPOSURE x VULNERABILITY
If a hazard occurs in an area of no exposure, then there is no risk. Take the example of
typhoons (tropical cyclones that occur in the Pacific Ocean). In October 2013 a Category 5 super
typhoon Hanna (known as Lekima) hit the North West Pacific Ocean. Its winds reached peaks of
around 240 kilometers per hour, but caused no impact on people or assets. In November 2013
another Category 5 Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the region, with winds peaking at 315
kilometers per hour. Yolanda affected 11 million people, causing more than 6000 casualties and
the loss of more than 1.5 billion US dollars. The difference in impact was because there were no
people or property in the path of Hanna; in other words, there was no exposure.
What drives exposure?

People and economic assets become concentrated in areas exposed to hazards through
processes such as population growth, migration, urbanization and economic development.
Previous disasters can drive exposure by forcing people from their lands and to increasingly
unsafe areas. Consequently, exposure changes over time and from place to place.

Many hazard prone areas, such as coastlines, volcanic slopes and flood plains, attract economic
and urban development, offer significant economic benefits or are of cultural or religious
significance to the people who live there. As more people and assets are exposed, risk in these
areas becomes more concentrated. At the same time, risk also spreads as cities expand and as
economic and urban development transform previously sparsely populated areas.

Large volumes of capital continue to flow into hazard-prone areas, leading to significant
increases in the value of exposed economic assets. If global exposure continues to trend
upwards, it may increase disaster risk to dangerous levels

What is vulnerability?
 It describes the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or asset that
make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. There are many aspects of
vulnerability, arising from various physical, social, economic, and environmental factors.
Examples may include:

 poor design and construction of buildings, 

 inadequate protection of assets,
 lack of public information and awareness,
 limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and
  disregard for wise environmental management. 
Vulnerability varies significantly within a community and over time. This definition
identifies vulnerability as a characteristic of the element of interest (community, system or
asset) which is independent of its exposure. However, in common use the word is often used
more broadly to include the element’s exposure.

There are four (4) main types of vulnerability:

1. Physical Vulnerability may be determined by aspects such as population density levels,
remoteness of a settlement, the site, design and materials used for critical infrastructure and
for housing.
Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an earthquake, but are more vulnerable
to fire.
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. It is linked to the level of wellbeing of individuals, communities
and society. It includes aspects related to levels of literacy and education, the existence of
peace and security, access to basic human rights, systems of good governance, social equity,
positive traditional values, customs and ideological beliefs and overall collective
organizational systems (UNISDR).
Example: When flooding occurs some citizens, such as children, elderly and differently-able,
may be unable to protect themselves or evacuate if necessary.
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. 
Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements because they cannot afford to live in
safer (more expensive) areas.
4. Environmental Vulnerability. Natural resource depletion and resource degradation are key
aspects of environmental vulnerability.
Example: Wetlands, such as the Caroni Swamp, are sensitive to increasing salinity from sea
water, and pollution from storm water runoff containing agricultural chemicals, eroded soils,
etc.

Activity 4
1. In line with the Covid-19 response. Describe on how do you respond to the spread of
Covid-19 in terms of: a. population growth, b. migration, c. urbanization and d. economic
development. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

2. List the words that can be found on the box to which are example of aspects to
vulnerability. Write it on a separate sheet of paper.
A E D G H I J L S I T U A T I O N E S I
 S R E C O G N I T I O N R A I N M A E N
D L S T R O N H A N S S A N I T A Z E F
S K I R T V A R T A L M A R E N N O A O
C J G A R E A E I A N R D A E A A R T R
I I N A M R E B S O D O D J K L G R A M
E H A S T N E D T O O F L T A M E L S A
N G M S G O E R I G O S H A W A M E A T
C B I E B R A H C C E N E W A Y E G G I
E V E N T S C O S R O A D S R G N O S O
A O N N O B G E F I L R A T E O T E D N
S N T S B P R O T E C T I O N L A E R I
D N A R A R D C T A E R K E E O L O O H
W O K O G A U D E A D L E S S N N O F D
E I E R O R O L K A P E R N S H A E N S
R T S N T A S K R A M E N S H C I L A W
F I J S E T S T A M E Q S F E E A R T G
Q S N A T Y R E M A T H E M A T I C S E
E O A S D W Q E G H K L M N O T R S Q U
C P O P R E P A R E D N E S S G A D R B

Now that you’ve already learned and understand the lesson focusing on disaster and disaster
risk, it’s time to work to demonstrate your learning. Are you ready? Sure, you are!

Activity 5
Directions: Answer the given question. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper. Do you
think you are relatively well prepared when a disaster might affect your community either
natural or man-made as well as to its effects? List down five (5) important things that you need
to prepare in order to lessen the possible danger that you and your family might encounter
when a disaster strike. Explain your answers briefly and write it on your answer sheet.

Assessment: Use a separate sheet for your answers

Name: ________________________________
Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Which of the following is a sudden, calamitous event, bringing great damage, loss,
destruction, and devastation to life and property?
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. phenomenon
d. risk
2. A natural disaster can be a _____________
a. phenomenon
b. terrorism/Violence
c. technological/industrial issues
d. complex humanitarian emergencies
3. All of the following are the effects of disasters EXCEPT ___________
a. can destroy health infrastructure
b. can cause an unexpected number of deaths
c. can have adverse effects on the environment
d. can cause the ability of every specie to reproduce

4. It is also called as the Circum-Pacific belt, the zone of earthquakes surrounding the
Pacific Ocean where about 99% of the world’s earthquake occurs.
a. drought
b. ring of fire
c. subsidence
d. Bermuda Triangle
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of man-caused hazard?
a. mutiny
b. genocide
c. earthquake
d. bombs or explosions
6. It is defined as the source of danger and something that may cause injury or harm. It is
also the uncertain course of events in a country.
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. risk
d. phenomenon
7. Which of the following category is a man-made hazard?
a. storm surges
b. flooded coastal areas
c. Landslide on Mining sites
d. Oil Spills from shipping boat

8. Which of the following is NOT included in the phases of disaster?

a. recovery phase
b. planning phase
c. emergency phase
d. preparedness phase
9. A natural disaster where sea waves of local or distant origin that results from large-scale
seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or
exploring volcanic hazards is called _______
a. earthquake
b. flood
c. tsunami
d. typhoon
10. During the initial stage of a disaster, almost all surface means of transportation within
the community are disrupted by broken bridges, roads, and streets that are rendered
impassable by landslides or floods. The restricted mobility of vehicles makes rescue and
other emergency operations doubly difficult. What is this impact/ effect of disaster?
a. economic impact
b. social and political impact
c. damage to critical facilities
d. disruption of transportation
11. Which of the following variables will NOT determine the elements in identifying disaster
risk?
a. coping capacity
b. population explosion
c. vulnerability to a hazard
d. hazard (natural or man-made)
12. There are many impacts of Disaster, on what impact it will fall if a person is suffering
from post-traumatic stress syndrome?
a. physical wellbeing impact
b. mental wellbeing impact
c. social wellbeing impact
d. none of the above
13. Erica is outside the building. Which action should she do when she feels the ground is
shaking? a. Stay away from trees, powerlines, post and concrete structures.
b. Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by landslides.
c. If near the shore and feel and earthquake, especially if it’s too strong, move quickly to
higher grounds.
d. All of the above.
14. The potential disaster losses in lives, health statuses, livelihoods, assets, and services,
which could occur in a particular community or a society over some specified future
time period is called _______________.
a. disaster risk
b. disaster mitigation
c. disaster prevention
d. disaster preparedness
15. Disaster has a great impact on which of the following aspect?
a. Bacteria
b. Human
c. Invention
d. Technology