DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION FACTORS AFFECTING THE LEVEL OF OR MAGNITUDE OF

MODULE 2: VULNERABILITY AND EXPOSURE VULNERABILITY OF AN ELEMENT TO A HAZARD

Vulnerability (RA 10121) - “the characteristics insert column stances of • Proximity to a hazard event – Geographical or scientific maps
a community system or asset that make it susceptible to damaging can accurately pinpoint general locations where a hazard occurs.
effects of a hazard. Vulnerability may arise from various physical, social
economic and environmental factors such as poor design and • Demography – The population density, which refers to the
construction of buildings, inadequate protections of assets, lack of public number of individuals living in a particular area, may indicate
information and awareness, limited official recognition of risk and crowding or lack of space if the measure is high.
preparedness measures, and disregard for wise environmental
management.” • Capacity in terms of material resources – Basic services and
facilities needed in the prevention and mitigation of disaster should
Exposure (RA 10121) – “the degree to which the elements at risk are be available and accessible so that the community would be able
likely to experience hazard events of different magnitudes.” to anticipate, adapt, and respond to the changes and impacts of
the hazards.
ELEMENTS EXPOSED TO HAZARD
• Institutional codes and policies – The presence of buildings and
1.Physical Elements - these are elements that are tangible and visible.
other structures as exposed elements can heighten the
They include landscapes, inhabitants, buildings, and other structures
vulnerability of the community to disasters.
that take up space on the ground.
• Culture and Practices – Some vulnerabilities are strongly
2.Socioeconomic Elements - these are elements that affect the
affiliated with cultural norms, beliefs, and perceptions that
lifestyle, well-being, peace and order, and livelihood of the communities
ultimately affect community members’ open-mindedness and
exposed to a disaster.
decisions to consider new ways on preventing disasters.
3.Environmental Elements - these are the ecosystems and the natural
processes that are exposed to disasters. All organisms, including
humans, depend on soil water air and other organism for survival.