Lesson 2 : Vulnerability Of The

Philippines To Disasters
 Lesson 2: Vulnerability of the Philippines to
Disasters

The Philippines and its Vulnerability to Disasters

It is a known fact that our country is very vulnerable
and most of the recorded events with great number of
casualties were unexpected.
The location of the Philippines in the Pacific makes
it very vulnerable to meteorological disturbances such as
typhoons.
The Philippines is also located in the western ring of
the Pacific Ocean where many active faults, trenches and
volcanoes can trigger earthquakes.
 Bohol Earthquake
Baclayon Church
Bohol Municipal Hall
Typhoon Yolanda
Tracks of Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific
from 1948 to 2010
Location of the Philippines in the Western Ring of the
Pacific Ocean
Earthquake Generators in the Philippines: Active Faults
and Trenches
Estimated damages of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in
Metro Manila
Distribution of Volcanoes in the Philippines
Disaster Risk-Poverty Nexus
 Disaster as a Social Phenomenon

Social Attributes of Disaster in a Community:

1.Harmful practices worsen vulnerability to disasters.

2.Population growth and shortage of land have further

pushed low-income families to worse living conditions
which make them vulnerable to disasters.
 Disaster as a Social Phenomenon

Social Attributes of Disaster in a Community:

3. The poor, the elderly, people with disabilities or

special needs, indigenous people, women, children
and communities marginalized by the
exploitation of natural resources usually end up as
a victims of disasters as they are the most
vulnerable groups.
4. The aftermath of a disaster paves the way for
disaster prevention efforts