Exposure

refers to the presence of

people, livelihood, environmental
services and resources,
infrastructure, or economic,
social, or cultural assets in places
that could be adversely affected
by physical events and which,
thereby, are subject to potential
future harm, loss, or damage. It
may be possible to be exposed
but not vulnerable.

Various Elements Exposed to Hazards

•1. Physical hazard –
is defined as “a
factor within the
environment that
can harm the body
without necessarily
touching it.” For
example: vibration
and noise.
•2. Cultural hazard –
also known as social
hazards, result from
your location,
socioeconomic status,
occupation and
behavioral choices.

•3. Economic hazard –

refers to major
natural disasters
which can and do
have severe negative
short-run economic
impacts
•4. Environmental
hazard – refers to
state of events which
has the potential to
threaten the
surrounding natural
environment and
adversely affect
people’s health

Vulnerability is the state

of susceptibility to harm
from exposure to
stresses associated with
environmental and
social change and from
the absence of capacity
to adapt.
Physical Vulnerability
• It may be determined by aspects
such as population density levels,
remoteness of a settlement, the
site designed and materials used
for critical infrastructure and for
housing.
• Example
• Wooded homes are less likely to
collapse in earthquake but are more
vulnerable in fire.
• Wooded homes are can be easily
damaged by typhoon.

Social Vulnerability
• Refers to the inability of people,
organization and societies to
withstand adverse impacts to
hazards due to characteristics
inherent in social interactions,
institutions and system of cultural
values.
• Example
• When flooding occurs, some citizen
such as children, elderly and
differently able may be unable to
protect themselves or evacuate if
necessary.
Economic Vulnerability
•The level of vulnerability is
highly dependent upon the
economics status of
individuals, communities and
nations.
•Example
•The poor are more likely
vulnerable in disaster because
they lack of resources.

Environmental Vulnerability
• Natural resources depletion and
resource degradation are key
aspects of environmental
vulnerability. (the potential
impacts of events on the
environment)
• Example
• Wetlands, such as the Caroni
Swamp, are sensitive to increasing
salinity from sea water, and
pollution from stormwater runoff
containing agricultural chemicals,
eroded soils, etc.
Vulnerable
Sectors
Include
1. Agriculture and
Food The agriculture
sector in the
Philippines is highly
dependent on a
constant water supply
and unpredictable
growing seasons.
Climate-related
changes disrupt
farming activities and
hamper agricultural
production resulting
physical factors
• 2. Watersheds: Forestry,
Biodiversity, and Water
resources Major river
basins in the Philippines
are considered the
lifeblood of the
Philippine economy.
However, because of the
pollution, unstable
resource use and the
additional pressure
brought on by climate
change, these areas have
become less viable

• 3. Coastal and Marine

Resources Even without
climate change, many
parts of the Philippines
coasts were already
getting damaged and
deteriorating due to
natural causes or human-
induced activities.
4. Human Health
Infectious diseases
that are climate-
sensitive become
vulnerabilities of a
population that is
threatened by the
increasing frequency of
extreme climate events.
Other diseases have
reemerged or have
become harder to treat

Wealth The poor are less able to afford

housing and other infrastructure that can
withstand extreme events, and less likely to
have access to medical care.
Education With education, we can learn how to avoid
or reduce many impacts. When populations include
professionals trained in hazards, then these people
can help the populations with their hazards
preparations and responses.

Governance They can advance policies that reduce

vulnerability. They can support education and
awareness efforts, as well as economic development
to reduce poverty. They can foster social networks
and empower individuals and communities to help
themselves to prepare for and respond to hazards.
Technology It can improve our ability to
forecast extreme events, withstand the impacts
of events, and recover afterwards. Wealthier,
more educated societies are more likely to have
more advance technology.

Age Children and the elderly tend to be more

vulnerable. They have less physical strength to
survive disasters and are often more
susceptible to certain diseases.
Gender Women are often more vulnerable to
natural hazards than men. This is in part
because women are likely to be poor, less
educated, and politically marginalised, often
due to sexism in societies around the world