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Disaster
Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 3
Exposed Elements and
Dimensions of Vulnerability

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Exposed Elements and Dimensions of Vulnerability
First Edition, 2020

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over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Authors: Louise A. Ferrer, Mark Anthony C. Mamon, Emerina Clarisse R. Bernante,
Cheryl A. Retio
Editor: Ma. Lanie A. Socorro, Ed.D.
Reviewers: Raquel M. Austero, Ph.D.
Illustrator: Mark Anthony C. Mamon
Layout Artist: Louise A. Ferrer
Management Team: Malcolm S. Garma, Director IV
Genia V. Santos, CLMD Chief
Dennis M. Mendoza, Regional EPS In-Charge of LRMS
Micah S. Pacheco, Regional ADM Coordinator
Violeta M. Gonzales, CID Chief
Jennifer L. Tubello, Division EPS In-Charge of LRMS &
Division ADM Coordinator

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – National Capital Region

Office Address: Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

____________________________________________
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Telefax: 02-929-0153
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E-mail Address: ____________________________________________
depedncr@deped.gov.ph
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Disaster
Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 3
Exposed Elements and
Dimensions of Vulnerability

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and reviewed

by educators from public and private schools, colleges, and or/universities. We
encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email their feedback,
comments, and recommendations to the Department of Education at
action@deped.gov.ph.

We value your feedback and recommendations.

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

This module adheres to the learning competencies of the K-12 Curriculum. This module
helps the learners understand exposed elements and dimensions of vulnerability
based on the principles and guidelines of disaster risk reduction and management.
This module is a useful learning material that provides the learning objectives, pretest,
lesson proper, enrichment activities, generalization, application, assessment and
additional activities.

For the learner:

This module is created to give meaningful learning of variations in vulnerability through

clear and comprehensive discussions about the concepts and through engaging and
relevant activities. This module also allows the learners to reflect and apply disaster
risk reduction and management in everyday life.

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. You will never know
when a disaster will strike. This module is here to help you understand the basic
concept of Exposed Elements and Vulnerability. It aims to equip you through
discussions and activities that will help you learn the concepts, terminologies, ideas,
and relevant information about the lesson.

The module is all about the Dimensions of Vulnerability as well as the

Variation of Vulnerabilities among sectors of society.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. explain the meaning of vulnerability; and

2. explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disasters than
others.

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 What I Know

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which refers to the circumstances that make an element susceptible to the

effects of a disaster?
A. capacity C. hazard
B. exposure D. vulnerability

2. Which of the following is TRUE about exposure, vulnerability and capacity?

A. Capacity increases vulnerability.
B. Exposure decreases vulnerability.
C. Exposure increases vulnerability.
D. Capacity does not affect vulnerability.

3. Which of the following are more vulnerable when a disaster strikes?

A. children and elderly C. men, women and children
B. laborers and entrepreneurs D. all are of equal vulnerability

4. Which of the following is considered under the physical dimension of

vulnerability?
A. evacuation center C. income source
B. food supply D. persons with disability

5. Which of the following examples have low level of vulnerability?

A. Buildings constructed in reclaimed area.
B. People with limited access to medical services.
C. The population who participates in drills and trainings on emergency.
D. Inadequate monitoring and early warning systems for natural disasters.

6. Which of the following shows a high level of vulnerability to hazards?

A. high population density
B. well-planned evacuation protocol
C. building construction based on standards
D. sufficient number of hospitals to population ratio

7. Which physical structure is more vulnerable to a fire than an earthquake?

A. high – rise building C. wooden house
B. hospital D. school

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8. What element of disaster risk refers to the situation of people and physical
assets located in hazard-prone areas?
A. capacity C. hazard
B. exposure D. vulnerability

9. What element at risk can be affected by drought and extreme flooding?

A. agricultural commodities C. communication
B. buildings and structures D. public transport system

10. Existence of peace and security is what dimension of vulnerability?

A. economic C. physical
B. environmental D. social

11. A pandemic such as COVID-19 appear to have less impact to children than
adults, but this does not mean they are not vulnerable anymore. In which of
the following aspects are children greatly affected by the pandemic?
A. All work and no play
B. Higher risk to violence
C. Interruption of education
D. Violation of human rights

12. Which dimension of vulnerability is associated with the level of well-being of

people, communities and society?
A. economic C. physical
B. environmental D. social

13. Which dimension of vulnerability is associated with the access and control
over the supply and production of basic necessities?
A. Economic C. Physical
B. Environmental D. Social

14. Which is NOT TRUE about vulnerability?

A. It includes physical structures.
B. Poverty decreases vulnerability.
C. Exposure increases vulnerability
D. It applies to individuals, communities and society.

15. Which of the following can be done to address the needs of sectors in society
that are vulnerable to disaster?
A. Give opportunities for recovery.
B. Provide evacuation programs that prioritize them.
C. Discuss ways on how to minimize losses among vulnerable sectors
D. All of the above.

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 Lesson
Exposed Elements and
1 Dimensions of Vulnerability

As you watch and hear news about a disaster, what information are always
mentioned and emphasized? Isn’t it that reporters mention the cause and effect of
the disaster? Moreover, information about the number of casualties, which can be
the number of deaths, injured and missing people, the infrastructures destroyed,
and the total cost of the losses are also reported. These information and data are very
important to assess the two elements of disaster risk, which are exposure and
vulnerability.

What’s In

In the last module, you learned about the basic concept of disaster and
disaster risk. Can you recall the definition of disaster and disaster risk? Moreover,
can you remember the nature and effects of disaster? It was discussed that disaster
risk drivers include poverty, rapid and unplanned urbanization, increased
population density; environmental degradation, climate change, socio-economic
inequality, weak governance, and lack of awareness.

Disasters can be analyzed and discussed in different perspectives. In this

module, you will learn about vulnerability to disaster and how it varies in the
different sectors of society.

Notes to the Teacher

Use latest events that happen in the Philippines as examples
for this lesson. Students should be engaged in reading news from
credible sources to be aware of the recent disasters that happen in
the local setting or community. Remind students to be vigilant and
to always evaluate the source before accepting it as truth.

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 What’s New

Activity 1. Am I vulnerable?
Directions: Select a place in your home and sit in the middle of it. It can be any
place like your room, the kitchen or the living room. List down 3 things found in this
room (can be a person/object). Suppose an earthquake occurs at this instant.
Describe what may happen to it and explain why it is vulnerable to disaster. An
example is done for you.

Exposed element Possible effect of disaster Reasons for vulnerability

Ex. Living room It could fall on the floor and It is not securely attached to
Television break. the wall or cabinet.
1.
2.
3.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why are the things you listed in the table prone to the effects of a disaster?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Are all items/persons in the room vulnerable to disaster? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Based on the activity, how can you define vulnerability?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 What is It

Exposure and Vulnerability

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), formerly
known as the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(UNISDR), defines exposure as the situation of people, infrastructure, housing,
production capacities and other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone
areas. On other hand, vulnerability is defined as the condition determined by
physical, social, economic, and environmental factors or processes which increase
the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of
hazards. It is the predisposition that puts anything whether tangible or intangible at
a disadvantage in case of a disaster. In the first module, you learned capacity as the
strengths, attributes, and resources of a community or society to manage and reduce
disaster risks. Vulnerability arises as an outcome of a lack of or insufficient capacity.
Therefore, a greater capacity reduces vulnerability, whereas a weaker capacity
promotes vulnerability.

Exposure: Elements Exposed to Hazards

Exposure refers to the elements at risk that can be affected by hazards or are
present in the hazard zones that are subject to potential losses. Exposed elements
may be tangible or intangible and can be classified into the following categories:

1. Physical Elements
- Infrastructures such as bridges, roads, railways, harbors, and airports.
- Essential facilities such schools, hospitals, fire and police stations, and
emergency shelters
- Utilities that include power, water, and gas supply
- Transportation and communication facilities

2. Societal Elements - vulnerable age groups (children and the elderly), persons
with disability (PWD), homeless, etc.

3. Economic Elements - business and trade activities, accessibility to work,

productivity and opportunity costs.

4. Environmental Elements – biodiversity, and environmental resources such

as land, water and air.

Dimensions of Vulnerability
The susceptibility of an individual, community, asset or system to the impacts
of hazards is determined by the physical, social, economic, and environmental

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dimension. The greater the susceptibility to the effects and impacts of a hazard, the
greater the vulnerability.

1. Physical Dimension – refers to geography, location and place of the

population at risk; and the site, design and materials used for physical
structures.

Some physical structures are more vulnerable than others due to the
age of the building, poor planning, use of the building etc. Proper planning
should be considered when selecting materials for construction of a physical
structure as different materials have different strengths and weaknesses.

There is no such thing as a disaster-proof physical structure. Therefore,

its effects cannot be totally prevented. However, analyzing the vulnerability of
physical structures before a disaster hit will minimize the possible damage or
casualties.

2. Social Dimension – this includes demography; displacement and migration;

level of education and literacy; health, and well-being; social equity and access
to basic human rights; cultural beliefs, morality, and traditional values; safety
and security; and the governance aspects.

3. Economic Dimension – refers to susceptibility of an economic system to the

effects of a possible disaster. This dimension includes income, gross domestic
product, tax revenue, domestic savings, investments, financial market, and
indebtedness. The economic dimension may also refer to poverty, and lack of
access to basic services

Disasters may hinder business operations or disrupt work

arrangements, cumulatively leading to a drop in the economy.

4. Environmental Dimension – this includes the regulation of the ecosystem,

ecosystem degradation, depletion of the natural resources, habitat
destruction, and loss of biodiversity.

Variation of Vulnerability across Sectors

Vulnerability and capacity of people may be influenced by physical, social,
economic or even political factors. Age, gender, health status and poverty greatly
affect the vulnerability of different groups. The following are some groups with
potentially higher vulnerability than others:

1. Children – They are not fully developed physically and emotionally and have
a poor capability to defend themselves from abuse and exploitation. As a
vulnerable sector they should be provided with special protection needs.

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 2. Senior Citizens – The elderly may have poor health conditions which can
worsen during a disaster. They would require assistance in terms of source of
income, supply of medicines or access to medical facilities.

3. Women – Some women have less opportunities for work and lower wages due
to discrimination and gender inequality. Pregnant women and those who
underwent childbirth would need pre and post-natal care.

4. Persons with Disability – They are often not reached by disaster warning
systems or are not included in disaster plans. Due to their conditions, they
would require higher level of protection and easy access to specified
healthcare.

5. Ethnic Minorities – Disaster may force indigenous people to flee from their
homes and relocate to distant places. They are vulnerable to
misrepresentation and discrimination due to cultural differences. They may
also have less of income generating opportunities when displaced by disaster
events.

6. Survivors of Conflict and Violence – Aside from physical needs, victims of

conflict and violence would also need counselling to help them recover from
disaster. They may also need protections as they are vulnerable to abuse.

7. Urban Poor - Those with low income and unsecure livelihoods are less likely
to have greater capacity to withstand its effects of disaster. It is possible that
laborers in the informal sector be displaced due to the circumstances of
disaster.

What’s More

Knowledge and awareness on our vulnerability to disaster will help us prepare

and minimize the negative impacts that these disasters may bring. The table below
shows the different dimensions of vulnerability of a sample community to an
earthquake.

Dimension of vulnerability Vulnerability to earthquake

Physical My community has old buildings and is located near
a fault. The houses are built very close to each other
Social My community includes children, elderly and
persons with disability who need to be evacuated.
Economic Business operations would stop and would affect
income of the people.
Environmental Water quality may be affected by the earthquake.

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Activity 2. Vulnerable: Be Cautious!
Directions: Identify the POSSIBLE dimensions of vulnerability of your community
to different hazards. Choose any 2 from the choices below and fill-out the tables
accordingly. You may use separate sheets.
Sample Hazards: fire, disease outbreak, super typhoon, tsunami, landslide, etc.

Table 1. Vulnerability to __________________

Dimension of vulnerability Vulnerability to __________________

Physical

Social

Economic

Environmental

Table 2. Vulnerability to __________________

Dimension of vulnerability Vulnerability to __________________

Physical

Social

Economic

Environmental

Answer the following questions:

1. How did you assess the possible dimensions of vulnerability in every
hazard that can occur or happen?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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 2. Why do you need to determine the dimensions of vulnerability? How will
this help in disaster management?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Activity 3. Vulnerable Sectors

Directions: Choose any sample disaster for this activity. Complete the table below
by identifying vulnerable sectors of your community. Cite programs or measures on
how to reduce the vulnerability of the groups you identified. An example is given
below. You may use separate sheets.

Name of community (barangay, city or province): ______________________________

Sample disaster: ____________________

Challenges faced by
Potentially Measures to Reduce their
Potentially
Vulnerable Groups Vulnerability
Vulnerable Groups
Example: Conduct art classes to boost their
Emotional instability
Children morale

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why are some sectors more vulnerable in the event of a disaster?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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 2. What should be done to increase the capacity in order to reduce the
vulnerability of a certain sector in your community? Explain an example
from your table.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

1. What is vulnerability?
2. How is vulnerability related to exposure and capacity?
3. Why are some sectors of society more vulnerable than others?

What I Can Do

Remember, it is not only people who are vulnerable to disaster. Animals are
also victims of natural and man-made hazards. How can you help these vulnerable
animals?

Directions: List down ways to reduce the vulnerability of animals to natural and
man-made hazards.

1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________

Assessment

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper

1. Which of the following refers to people, properties, systems or any other

elements in hazard-prone areas that may have losses due to disasters?
A. capacity C. resilience
B. exposure D. vulnerability

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2. Which of the following would need more opportunities to generate income?
A. children C. senior citizens
B. formal sector D. urban poor

3. Which refers to the strengths and resources of a community to deal with the
impacts of a disaster?
A. capacity C. response
B. resilience D. susceptibility

4. Which group is more potentially vulnerable to tsunami?

A. informal sector C. victims of violence
B. farmers D. all are of equal vulnerability

5. Which of the following is considered under the social dimension of

vulnerability?
A. business operations C. medical facilities
B. cultural differences D. power source

6. Which sector would have difficulty in accessing healthcare support?

A. farmers C. senior citizens
B. formal labor workers D. youth and students

7. Which is considered under the physical dimension of vulnerability?

A. educational status C. electrical wiring and circuits
B. work opportunities D. medicine and first-aid kits

8. Which of the following is the best way to help the senior citizens cope with the
effects of disaster?
A. Provide special work arrangements
B. Initiate transfer to nursing facilities
C. Provide immediate medical assistance
D. Conduct seminars promoting recovery

9. Which of the following can be classified as environmental vulnerability?

A. Inaccessible roads after an earthquake
B. Agricultural plains contaminated by chemicals
C. Lack of peace and security in community borders
D. Residential areas being flooded after a super typhoon

10. Which of the following challenges is faced by ethnic minorities when coping
with hazards?
A. displacement C. loss of livelihood
B. language differences D. all of the above

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 11. Which of the following is true about the vulnerability of various sectors of
society?
A. Some sectors are not vulnerable to disasters.
B. All sectors are equally vulnerable to disasters.
C. Some sectors are more vulnerable than others.
D. None of the above.

12. The design and type of materials used in an establishment is under what
dimension of vulnerability?
A. economic C. physical
B. environmental D. social

13. Which of the following can be done to reduce the vulnerability of children?
A. Ensure gender equality.
B. Conduct parenting seminar to parents.
C. Provide opportunities to generate income.
D. Transfer them to facilities where they can stay with others of the same age.

14. Which of the following is TRUE about vulnerability?

A. It increases the negative impacts of a disaster.
B. Sectors of society are equally vulnerable to disaster.
C. Poverty neither increases nor decreases vulnerability.
D. Only tangible objects may be exposed and vulnerable to disaster

15. Which of the following is classified as societal vulnerability?

A. communication lines C. impact on workforce
B. damaged landscape D. low-income group

Additional Activities

Directions: Read a newspaper or check news online. Look for an article about an
occurrence of a disaster. Based on the article, list the possible elements at risk and
vulnerable sectors affected by the disaster in the table below.

Title of the article: ________________________________________________________________

Date Published: _____________________ Author: ____________________________________
Source: __________________________________________________________________________

Disaster
Elements at risk
(exposure)
Vulnerable sectors

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What I Know What’s New Assessment
1. D Activity 1 1. B
2. C 2. D
3. A 1. The objects written in the table are prone to the effects of 3. D
4. A a disaster because of exposure, lack of knowledge (if a 4. A
5. D person), lack of capability to act (children/elderly), etc. 5. C
6. A 2. Answers may vary. 6. A
7. C 3. Vulnerability is the condition that makes an object or 7. B
8. B person at risk with the effects of a disaster. 8. C
9. A 9. B
10. D 10. D
11. C What’s More 11. C
12. D 12. C
13. A Activity 2 13. B
14. B 14. C
1. Answers may vary.
15. D 15. C
2. The dimensions of vulnerability specify the areas where an
individual, community or system is weak and could be
used as baseline information on how to prevent the
negative effects of a disaster or plan on how to reduce its
risks.
Activity 3
1. Not all sectors in the community have equal chances of
survival because they have different strengths and
weaknesses.
2. The challenges faced by vulnerable sectors should be
identified first. Programs and measures should be done by
community leaders and the other members off the
community. This would help the vulnerable sectors have
equal chances of survival and recovery together with the
other members of the community who are less vulnerable.
What I Have Learned
1. Vulnerability is defined as the condition determined by
physical, social, economic, and environmental factors or
processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual,
a community, assets or systems to the impacts of hazards.
2. Exposure increases vulnerability due to proximity to the
effects of a hazard. A greater capacity reduces vulnerability,
whereas a weaker capacity promotes vulnerability.
3. Vulnerable sectors include women, children, senior
citizens, urban poor, persons with disability, ethnic
minorities and victims of conflict or violence. They are more
vulnerable to disaster than others due to their physical
condition, available opportunities, need for healthcare and
special consideration, etc.
Answer Key
References
“What Is Vulnerability? - IFRC.” 2019. Ifrc.Org. 2019.
https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-
disasters/what-is-a-disaster/what-is-vulnerability/.

Dianala, John Dale B., Mario A. Aurelio, and Chechen M. Tan. 2017. Disaster
Readiness and Risk Reduction - Reader. Pasig City: Lexicon Press, Inc.
Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources.

Quebral, V.S. 2016. Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction. Cubao, Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing, Inc.

United States Agency for International Development. n.d. ASEAN Regional Risk and
Vulnerability Assessment Guidelines. https://asean.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/ASEAN-Regional-RVA-Guidelines-final.pdf.

“Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual.” n.d. Accessed July 5, 2020.

http://psba.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Disaster-Risk-Reduction-
Resource-Manual-2008.pdf.

“Module 3.” n.d. http://www.adpc.net/casita/course-materials/Mod-3-Vul-

Risk.pdf.

“Terminology - UNDRR.” 2015. Unisdr.Org. 2015.

https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology.

“Understanding Disaster Risk | PreventionWeb.Net.” n.d. Www.Preventionweb.Net.

https://www.preventionweb.net/risk.

Cardona, O.D, M.K. van Aalst, J. Birkmann, M. Fordham, G. McGregor, R. Perez,

R.S. Pulwarty, E.L.F. Schipper, and B.T. Sinh. 2012. Managing the Risks of
Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation.
Cambridge, UK, and New York: Cambridge University Press.

Commission on Higher Education. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School:
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction.

Parena Jr., J.S., and J.D.A. Ramos. 2016. Exploring Life through Science Series:
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc.

United States Agency for International Development. 2011. Introduction to Disaster

Risk Reduction.
https://www.preventionweb.net/files/26081_kp1concepdisasterrisk1.pdf.

Westen, Cees van, Nanette Kingma, and Lorena Montoya. n.d. Guide Book, Session
4: Elements at Risk.
http://drm.cenn.org/training_materials/Session%2004%20Elements%20at
%20risk.pdf.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig

City, Philippines 1600

Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985

Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph

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