CGP Multi-Hazard Environment Case Study

• The Philippines is a Multi-Hazard Environment
• Taal volcano erupted in 1990 killing over 1500 people
• Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 and were killed and devastated
• The Philippines has 10 tropical storms every year. They develop in the Pacific Ocean
• In 2006 Typhoon Xangsane swept across Manila and the surrounding densely populated areas
• Around 200 people died and the total cost of the tropical storm was over US $130 million
• Despite the risk of disasters, the Philippines is quite densely populated, with around 340 people per km²
• Communities

  • They have adapted to the risk of hazards, having experienced them before
  • They prepare for hazards e.g. by widening rivers near settlements to prevent flooding and by stockpiling food
  • This increases their own resilience
• In the past, the focus for dealing with disasters was only available after the disaster occurred - this meant that the response was worse focused on reacting in a disaster that had happened, rather than trying to prevent or prepare for future disasters
• Since 2007, the Philippines' approach to disasters has changed - the country is now working to increase large-scale resilience to disasters by adaptation, mitigation and management strategies
• Strategies to increase resilience to disasters

  • Preventing people building in areas at high risk of disaster
  • Adapting new and existing buildings and other structures to cope with earthquakes
  • Building seawalls to reduce flood risk from tsunamis and tropical storms
  • Increasing public awareness of hazards and how to respond to them
  • Monitoring hazards and developing early warning systems so people in at-risk areas have time to prepare