L1.2: Disaster Risk Factors

• Disaster Risk Factors

  • Are VARIABLES that either AGGRAVATE or MITIGATE the EFFECTS OF HAZARDS, affecting the degree or scope of a disaster.
  • include variables like: Physical, Psychological, Socio-Cultural, Economic, Political, and Biological.
• Risk Factor 1: Hazardous event interacting with the EXPOSED elements
• Risk Factor 2: Hazardous event interacting with VULNERABILITY

  Example: A family evacuating to a safer grounds as Taal Volcano rumbles
• Risk Factor 3: Hazardous event interacting with CAPACITY

  Example: Families evacuated from the vicinity of the Taal volcano rest in the La Consolacion College gymnasium evacuation centre in Tanauan on Jan. 17, 2020.
• Hazard Event: Spread of Covid 19
• Vulnerability: lack of enough rest/ high work saturation
• Exposure: working on the same floor/ward where Covid cases are handled)
• Capacity: Others with existing condition - HPN/ No Medical Insurance/ Insufficient Medical equipment/facility to control/minimize the spread of infection
• Physical Factors

  • Pertains to tangible objects or infrastracture like the availability of the exits, or the sturdiness of the building, or the presence or absence of objects that can harm or help you, etc.
  • Example: Hut damaged by Taal Volcano’s eruption is covered with volcanic ash in Laurel, Batangas, Philippines, January 20, 2020
• Psychological Factors

  • state of mental capacity and health • Ex. Are we dealing with babies? Kids? Adults? Special Needs?
  • Perception of self • Ex. Self-assessment of capability to respond to disasters, fear), etc.
• Socio-cultural Factors

  • Include religion, social status, traditions, perception by society, etc.
  • Some residents near Taal Volcano defy evacuation order
  • Example: A man casts his net on Taal Lake near Taal Volcano, which has been releasing ash and lava since Sunday.
  • Example: Pat Robertson, the host of 700 Club said that God was punishing American during Hurricane Katrina in 2010
• Economic Factors

  • Economic factors include assets and liabilities, income, economic class, etc.
• Political Factors

  • Include government structure, diplomatic issues, etc.
  • Duterte’s plea to China: Prioritize PH for COVID-19 vaccine
• Biological Factors

  • Processes of organic origin or those conveyed by biological vectors, including exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms, toxins and bioactive substances, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.
• Biological Factors

  • Ex. Malaria, Dengue fever Pest infestations Zoonoses Medical wastes-used needles, expired meds.
  • Example: Families eating and resting at Bauan Cockpit Arena which now serves as an evacuation center
• Disaster Risk Factors

  • Doctor warns of health risks from Taal's volcanic ash
  • Volcanic ash is made up of small particles that contain water vapor and other gasses like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. Inhaling a lot of carbon dioxide will cause dizziness, headache for some, others lose consciousness