lesson 2

• Disaster can affect everyone. It does not discriminate between and among social classes, gender, creed, race, and nationality. But certain risk factors put those affected in a position where they will have graver or longer-lasting post-disaster stress reactions. These aggravating factors contribute to evident differences in the stress reactions of certain individuals with certain characteristics.
• The Philippines lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
• Exposure


  The "elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event
• Hazard


  A potentially dangerous physical occurrence, phenomenon or human activity that may result in loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation.
• Vulnerability


  The condition determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazard
• Factors considered when risk factors underlying disaster are involved

  • Severity of exposure
  • Gender and Family
  • Age
  • Economic status of country
• Climate Change


  Can increase disaster risk in a variety of ways – by altering the frequency and intensity of hazards events, affecting vulnerability to hazards, and changing exposure patterns.
• Environmental Degradation


  Changes to the environment can influence the frequency and intensity of hazards, as well as our exposure and vulnerability to these hazards.
• Globalized Economic Development


  Results in an increased polarization between the rich and poor on a global scale. Currently increasing the exposure of assets in hazard prone areas, globalized economic development provides an opportunity to build resilience if effectively managed.
• Poverty and Inequality

  Impoverished people are more likely to live in hazard exposed areas and are less able to invest in risk-reducing measures. The lack of access to insurance and social protection means that people in poverty are often forced to use their already limited assets to buffer disaster losses, which drives them into further poverty.
• Poorly planned and Managed Urban Development

  The growing rate of urbanization and the increase in population density (in cities) can lead to creation of risk, especially when urbanization is rapid, poorly planned and occurring in a context of widespread poverty.
• Weak Governance


  Weak governance zones are investment environments in which public sector actors are unable or unwilling to assume their roles and responsibilities in protecting rights, providing basic services and public services.