Module 2: Exposure, Vulnerability and Capacity

Objectives :
1. Explain the meaning of exposure, vulnerability
and capacity;
2. Explain why certain sectors of society or
structures are more vulnerable to disasters than
others;
3. Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements
exposed to specific hazards;
4. Determine capacities of certain sectors that
make them less vulnerable to disasters; and
5. Differentiate among hazards ,exposure and
vulnerabilities and give examples from actual
situations
o Reactions and Interactions : Hazard Timeline

o What determines the likelihood of a community

to be adversely affected by hazards ?

o Who are usually adversely affected by

hazards ?

o What responsibilities can be assigned to

children in meeting the effects of hazards ?

o How about the elderly ?

 ACTIVITY : CASE STUDY 1

1. Read the case and examine the

characteristics of the communities in terms
of their vulnerability and capacity in meeting
an impending hazard.

2. Which Barangay is more will likely

experience more damaging effects ? Why ?

3. What features are found in Barangay

Masigasig that makes it less likely to
experience the same damaging effects ?
Barangay Masigasig Barangay Maligalig
 ACTIVITY : CASE STUDY 2

1. Read the case and examine the

characteristics of the community in terms of
its capacity in meeting an impending
hazard.

2. Despite the capacities of the community in

Provident Village, what makes it more prone
to the damaging effects of the flood ?
Provident Village
 Vulnerability is a term used to describe
the diminished capacity of an individual or
group to anticipate, cope with, resist and
recover from the impact of a natural or man-
made hazard (WHO, 2002).
Physical vulnerabilities
These are the properties of physical
structures that determine their potential
damage in case of hazard (Ebert,et.a.l.,
2008)

•Unsafe design and construction of

houses and buildings

•Lack of safe planning for

settlements/housing
Social vulnerability
This refers to people’s incapacity to cope
with, resist, and recover from the impacts
of a natural hazard.

•Low level of literascy

•Social inequity

•Attitude of helplessness,
dependence, and indifference
•Lack of knowledge and skills on
preparedness and protective
measures
Economic vulnerability

This refers to the incapacities due to

limitations brought about by financial
constraints.

community productivity

employment patterns

livelihood patterns
Environmental vulnerability

This has reference to the incapacity of

the community to meet the effects of
hazards due to the processes that cause
these disasters .

climate change

global warming

waste management practices

Who are the Vulnerable Sectors
in the Community ?
 Physical location
Exposure is the degree to(Proximity to a hazardous
which a community is
likely to experience hazard eventslocation)
of different
magnitude. It has reference to :

Population density
(congestion)
Capacity refers to a combination of all the
strengths, attributes and resources available
within a community, society or organization
that can be used to achieve agreed goals.

What are examples of existing capacities in

our community?
 Strong community
organizations (POs,
CSOs)

Ownership of
land Permanent
housing

Family capacity
Adequate food
and income
source Local knowledge
and skills

Responsive local
government (strong
BLGU)
 ACTIVITY :
EXPOSURE, VULNERABILITY AND HAZARDS

1. With your “Hazard “ group , you may talk

about situations that expose people and
other elements to a hazard.

2. Determine the manner of exposure and

the vulnerability . Sample Template 2
may be referred to.

3. Report group output after 10 minutes.

KEY POINTS :

 The more vulnerable a community is, the

more likely will it experience the impacts of a
hazard

 The more capacitated a community is, the

less likely will it be vulnerable to the impacts
of hazards
 Assignment

Identify vulnerabilities and capacities of

your community (or school) whichever is
more vulnerable to hazards. Justify your
claims and place the output in your
portfolio as additional entry.
That’s all for now