DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION (DRRR) REVIEWER
Disaster,Hazard,Disaster Risk
The term hazard, disaster, and disaster risk are often used interchangeably, but there are primary
differences among them.
What is Hazard?
A hazard is a threat or harm that has the potential to cause damage (e.g., injury, destruction of
properties, environmental degradation) to a community. There are two main types of hazards: natural
(Geophysical and Biological) and manmade (. These two differ greatly in terms of their causes, scope,
and effects on life, property, and the environment.
• A. Natural Hazard – occurs when an extreme natural event is destructive to human life and property.
This event could interfere with activities in a minor way such as strong wind blow trees down, or this
event could completely disrupt activities like a large earthquake damaging your home, business or
school.
Ex. Geophysical (Volcanic Eruption, Earthquake, Typhoon, Hurricanes, Tornados, and Extreme
Temperature), and Biological (Disease, Infection, etc.)
• B. Man-made Hazard – are caused by human activities. Unlike natural hazards, Human-made hazard
can often be prevented.
Ex. Bomb Explosion, Leak of Hazardous materials (chemical spills), Bridge or Road collapses, Vehicle
collisions, Terrorism, and War
What is Disaster?
• Disaster is “a sudden, calamitous occurrence that causes great harm, injury, destruction, and
devastation to life and property”. It disrupts the usual course of life, causing both physical and emotional
distress such as intense feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.
• According to the Disaster Risk Reduction Resources Manual of DepEd, “Disasters are emergencies that
cannot be handled by those affected without outside assistance.”
• The United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) defines disaster as a serious
disruption of the functioning community or society involving widespread human, material, economic or
environmental impact, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its
own resources.
• Asian Disaster Preparedness Center 2012 (ADPC) – There are 2 elements that are affected by disaster –
life (whether human or animal) and property.
1. The People – there is a threat to life, injury, diseases, emotional and mental stability and in worst
cases, death.
2. The Property – Uncountable damage to property, loss of assets, social and economic disruptions, and
environmental destructions.
• The effects may vary to minor to major, minor damage (like broken windows, and doors), major
damage (like torn rooftops, collapsed walls), total destruction (like completely destroyed houses and
structures rendering them useless and inhabitable) and worst case scenario, it can lead to death.
CATEGORIES OF DISASTERS
Note: There is no such this as natural disaster. There is a mechanism that triggers disaster and it could be
natural phenomenon (hazard).
• Natural made Disasters – is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth.
Ex. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, and other geologic
processes.
• Man-made Disasters – are result of man’s negligence, errors, or intentions. It is subdivided into three:
Technological/Industrial disasters, Terrorism/Violence, and Complex Humanitarian emergencies.
• Technological/Industrial disasters – this includes infrastructure collapse, leaks of hazardous material,
accidental explosion, utility failure, and vehicle collisions.
• Terrorism/Violence – This includes bomb explosions, release of chemical materials and biological
agents, release of radioactive agents, multiple massive shootings and mutinies (rebellion).
• Complex Humanitarian emergencies – this includes conflict wars or genocide (deliberate killing or
large number of people).
Vulnerability
• Vulnerability is situation specific. If earthquakes are frequent in a particular region, it does not mean
that all the provinces in that region are vulnerable. The vulnerability of the provinces differs in the way
they prepare for the hazard and the amount and type of resources they need to use and manage
• According to Republic Act No. 10121 or also known as “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management act of 2010” , vulnerability is defined as the characteristic and circumstances of a
community, system or resources that make susceptible to damaging effects of a hazard.
There are various factors that must be considered to assess the level of vulnerability of an area or
community. These factors can affect one another or can lead to other factors:
Proximity to a hazard event
Population density near a hazard event.
Capacity and efficiency to reduce disaster risk.
Building codes and disaster policies.
Proximity to a hazard event
An area frequented by a certain hazard predisposes it to high vulnerability. An earthquake, as an
example of a hazard, is more likely to happen in the Philippines than in Brazil because the Philippines is
situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire where frequent seismic activities occur. Hence, this fact already
puts the Philippines in a vulnerable situation for seismic-related events. In the same manner, houses,
buildings, and other structures become vulnerable to flooding if they are built on floodplains.
Population density near a hazard event.
Population differs from population density. Population refers to the number of individuals inhabiting a
particular space at the same time. If people are distributed evenly in an area, the impact of a disaster
may be reduced to a minimum. On the other hand, population density refers to the number of
individuals living in an area in relation to the size of that area. If all individuals crowd in one portion of a
place, there is little space and time to escape from a hazard.
Capacity and efficiency to reduce disaster risk.
The capacity of a community to reduce disaster risk includes the accessibility and availability of services
and facilities that help in preparing for or during disasters. The availability of these resources would
result in the ability of a community to anticipate, adapt, and respond to the changes in socio-ecological
and economic impacts that are usually experienced after a disaster.
Building codes and disaster policies.
Buildings and other structures may increase disaster risk. When they fall or collapse due to a hazard such
as an earthquake, they can cause injury and even loss of lives. Thus, in the design and construction of
buildings, possible hazards should be considered.
Exposure
• Refers to the degree to which a community or society is likely to experience hazard events of different
magnitude.
Capacity
• In the context of DRRM, is the capability and coping ability of school, households, and communities to
manage when disaster hits
