Vulnerability
WHAT IS VULNERABILITY?
Vulnerability refers to the characteristics and
circumstances of a community, system or
asset that make it susceptible to the
damaging effects of a hazard.
THE KEY CONCEPT OF
VULNERABILITY
Vulnerability = Exposure + Resistance +
Resilience
Exposure: At risk property and
population
Resistance: Measure taken to prevent, avoid or reduce
loss to recover prior state or
Resilience: Ability to recover
achieve desired post-disaster state
Example of Vulnerability
The people of the eastern part of Philippines are
more vulnerable to typhoons because of:
High Exposure of
typhoon
Low Resistance (lack of proper
management)
Low Resilience (Economic
limitation)
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE
VULNERABLE?
Some definitions of vulnerability have included
exposure in addition to susceptibility to harm.
However,
it is understood that exposure is separate to the
susceptibility element of vulnerability since it is
possible to the exposed, at the same time not
susceptible to natural hazards.
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE
VULNERABLE?
Despite some divergence over the meaning of
vulnerability, most experts agree understanding
vulnerability requires more than analyzing the
direct impacts of a hazard. Vulnerability also
concerns the wider environment and social
conditions that limit people and communities to
cope with the impact of hazard.
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE
VULNERABLE?
There are many aspects of vulnerability, arising
from various physical, social, economic, and
environmental factors.
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE
VULNERABLE?
Examples may include poor design and
construction of buildings, inadequate protection of
assets, lack of public information and awareness,
limited official recognition of risks and
preparedness measures, and disregard for wise
environmental management. Vulnerability varies
significantly within a community and
over time.
Types of Vulnerability
PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY
May be determined by aspects such as population
density levels, remoteness of a settlement, the
site, design and materials used for critical
infrastructure and for housing (UNISDR).
Example: Wooden homes are less likely to
collapse in an earthquake, but are more
vulnerable to fire.
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY
Refers to the inability of people, organizations, and
societies to withstand adverse impacts to hazards
due to characteristics inherent in social
interactions, institutions and systems of cultural
values.
Example: When flooding occurs some citizens,
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
economic status of individuals, communities, and nations
The poor are usually more vulnerable to disasters because
they lack the resources to build sturdy structures and put
other engineering measures in place to protect themselves
from being negatively impacted by disasters.
Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements
because they cannot afford to live in safer (more expensive)
areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY
Natural resource depletion and resource
degradation are key aspects of environmental
vulnerability.
Example: Wetlands, such as the Caroni Swamp,
are sensitive to increasing salinity from sea water,
and pollution from storm water runoff containing.
Vulnerable Sectors
AGRICULTURAL 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.
WATERSHEDS: FORESTRY, BIODERVISITY,
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.
COASTAL AND MARINES RESOURCE
Even without climate change, many parts of the
Philippines coasts were getting damaged and
deteriorating due to human causes or human-
induced activities.
HUMAN HEALTH
Infectious diseases that are climate-sensitive
become vulnerable of a pollution that is
threatened by the increasing frequency of extreme
climate events.
How do we reduce
Vulnerability?
a. Implementing building codes
b. Insurance and social protection
c. Emphasizing economic diversity
and resilient livelihoods
d. Knowledge and awareness
raising
e. Preparedness measure
Activity 3
Create a poster about how do we reduce
vulnerability. To be submitted on Friday.
Thank you for
listening
ANY QUESTION?
