Module 9: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Overview
The frequency of disasters due to earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and droughts has
been increasing. Hazards become disasters only when people’s lives and properties are
lost. If the increase in disasters is also due to the rapid increase of vulnerable populations,
then any strategy to prevent or reduce disasters cannot be purely hazard-oriented.
Disaster risks, hazards, and their impacts pose a threat, but appropriate response
to these can and should lead to actions to reduce risks and vulnerabilities in the future.
This chapter provides an overview of the elements of disaster, earth hazards-
earthquake, volcanic, hydrometeorological and fire. This will also provide the concept of
Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, its importance,
and key principles.

Significance
Reducing disaster risks will not only complement preparedness efforts, but will also
greatly contribute to the state’s sustainable development drive to minimize disaster risk
while addressing problems related to poverty, infrastructure and health, among others.

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to;
1. describe how hazard becomes a disaster;
2. differentiate hazard from disaster;
3. analyze the impacts of disaster;
4. list ways to reduce the impacts of disaster;
5. identify various potential earthquake, volcanic, hydrometeorological and fire
hazards;
6. analyze the effects of the different hazards;
7. apply precautionary and safety measures to the different earth hazards;
8. differentiate DRR from DRRM;
9. explain the value of each DRR and DRRM activities;
10. determine how DRRM activities are prioritized and resources allocated to come up with
the best possible outcome; and
11. create a fire/disaster evacuation plan.
SDGS WITH TARGETS RELATED TO DISASTER RISK

Disaster risk reduction cuts across different aspects and sectors of development. There are 17
targets related to disaster risk reduction in 10 of the 17 sustainable development goals,
firmly establishing the role of disaster risk reduction as a core development strategy.

Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure
and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental
shocks and disasters.

Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture
2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices
that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for
adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that
progressively improve land and soil quality.

Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk
reduction and management of national and global health risks.

Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all
4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable
development including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable
lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and nonviolence, global
citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development
4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe,
non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
foster innovation
9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder
infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and
equitable access for all.
Target 9.a: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries
through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries and small island development states.
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable and basic services and upgrade
slums.
11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated
and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage
11.5 By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and
substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by
disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable
situations
11.c: Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building
sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials.

Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all
countries
13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change
mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
13.b Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and
management in least developed countries, including focusing on women, youth and local and
marginalized communities.

Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development

Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt
biodiversity loss.
15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by
desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to
enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for 19 sustainable development.

TOPIC I - The Elements of Disaster

A. Concept of Disaster
Many of us might have experienced disasters due to typhoons, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions
that these are no longer considered as news. Surely, it is not simply because natural events visit us so
often. The occurrence of a disaster depends on the interplay between a natural phenomenon (that can
turn into a hazard) and the vulnerability of populations exposed (exposure and vulnerability)

A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving

widespread human, material, and economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the
community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources (Rimando, 2016).
 The Philippines hosts frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its position within
the “ring of fire” which is at the edge of the most dynamic tectonic plates. We cannot prevent volcanic
activities, earthquakes, typhoons, and landslides to happen. However, natural events do not
automatically become hazards much less cause disasters.
Natural events had been occurring since the early part of the earth history. Up until now, we
have been assuming that population exposed to hazards are vulnerable. With zero vulnerability, even a
super typhoon hitting a highly populated area, does not translate into a disaster. The growth in exposure
of people and property to hazards and inability to reduce vulnerabilities results in an increased number
of disasters and greater loss.
A disaster happens when the probable destructive agent, the hazard, hits a vulnerable populated
area. A natural event like a volcanic eruption which hits an uninhabited area does not qualify as a
disaster. It becomes a disaster only if it hits vulnerable population and properties- in short, if there are
victims.

B. Nature and Effects of Disaster

Being aware of the nature of hazards and what these can do to people and other elements at risk
is the first step in every effort to minimize the effects of disasters.
Disasters are inherently unexpected or come quickly with little or no warning. As a result,
disasters, cause widespread death, injury, and property damage. This underscores the need for timely
warnings and quality hazard related information issued by competent monitoring and warning agencies.
Disasters cannot be managed through normal means. These requires immediate and effective
intervention of both national and government agencies and non-government organizations to help meet
the needs of the victims. Disasters create demands beyond the capacity of the government.
 Disasters often result from the failure to anticipate the timing and enormity of natural hazards.
Little lead time is left to take preparedness actions such as evacuation and strengthening of structures.
Disasters do not only result in deaths and destruction or damage to homes and buildings but also in the
destruction of crops and decreased quality and quantity of water.

C. Other impacts of Disasters

a. medical effects
b. damage to critical facilities
c. disruption of transportation
d. economic impact
e. global environmental change
f. social and political impact

D. Basic Concept of Hazard

Hazards are the potentials for damage to man and his environment that may result from the
occurrence of natural events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and storm surges. An
event per se does not constitute a hazard. It is only when man and his environment are threatened that
these events can be considered hazards. Without a threat to a population, the eruption of an isolated
volcano remains an event but when volcanic activity occurs close to or right at the center of a populated
area, a mere event becomes a hazard. The probabilities of occurrence of hazard events may be
estimated (Rimando, 2016).

Table 1. Types of Hazard and Examples of Each

(After Hewitt and Burton, 1971)

Geologic Hydrologic Atmospheric Biologic Man-made

Earthquakes
 Vibration
 Ground
Rupture
 Liquefaction Floods – Typhoons or Epidemic Transport accidents
river and hurricanes in humans
coastal
  Earthquake
induced
landslides
 Tsunami
Volcanic eruption
 Lava flow
 Volcanic
gas
 Pyroclastic
flow Wave action Thunderstorms Epidemic Industrial explosions
 Tephra flow in plants and fires
 Lahar
 Volcanic
debris
 Avalanche
Rainfall – induced Drought Excessive Epidemic Accidental release of
landslides rainfall in animals toxic chemicals,
radiological material,
biologic material, oil,
etc.
Rapid sediment Rapid Tornadoes Locusts Nuclear accidents
movement glacier
advance
Subsidence Heavy Collapse of public
snowfalls buildings
Sink hole Hail Weapons of mass
formation destruction(biological,
nuclear, chemical and
explosive)
Impacts with space Blizzards Computer virus
objects
Lightning
Extreme
temperatures

TOPIC II – EXPLORING EARTH HAZARDS

A. Earthquake Hazards
- anything associated with an earthquake that may affect the normal conditions of the
people.
1. Ground Rupture
Deformation on the ground that marks, the intersection of the fault with the earth’s
 surface.
Effects: fissuring, displacement of the ground due to movement of the fault.

A continuous fault scarp of the North Bohol Fault in Brgy. Anonang,

Inabanga, Bohol

2. Ground Shaking
Disruptive up, down, and sideways vibration of the ground during an earthquake.
Effects: ground shaking are damage or collapse of structure; may consequently cause
hazards such as liquefaction and landslide.

Hyatt Terraces Hotel in Baguio City collapsed during the July 16, 1990
Luzon Earthquake
3. Liquefaction
Phenomenon wherein sediments, especially near bodies of water, behave like liquid, similar
to a quicksand.
 Effects: sinking and/ or tilting of structure above it; sand boil; fissuring.

Gasoline tank pops out in Dagupan City due to 'liquefaction

4. Earthquake- induced Landslide

Down slope movement of rocks, solid and other debris commonly triggered by strong shaking.

Effects: erosion; burial and blockage of roads and rivers

5. Tsunami
Series of waves caused commonly by an earthquake under the sea.
Effects: flooding; coastal erosion; drowning of people and damage to properties.
 Damaged jeep due to tsunami during the 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake

PREPAREDNESS TIPS TO ADOPT BEFORE, DURING and AFTER AN

EARTHQUAKE
(Source: PHIVOLCS)
BEFORE
A. The key to effective disaster prevention is planning
 Know the earthquake hazards in your area
 Follow instructional design and engineering practices when constructing a house or
building
 Evaluate the structural soundness of the buildings and houses; strengthen or retrofit if
necessary
B. Prepare your houses, workplace, or schools:
 Strap or bolt heavy furniture / cabinets to the walls
 Check the stability of hanging objects like ceiling fans and chandeliers
 Breakable items, harmful chemicals and flammable materials should be stored
properly in the lowermost secured shelves.
C. Familiarize yourself with the exit routes
D. Know where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms, and communication facilities are
located. Learn how to use them beforehand.
Prepare a handy emergency supply with first aid kit, canned food, can opener, clean water, clothing,
blanket, battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries.
Conduct and participate in regular earthquake drills.
DURING
STAY CALM
When you are INSIDE a structurally sound building or house…
STAY THERE!
Do the “DUCK, COVER and HOLD”
 If possible, quickly open the door for exit
 Duck under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it, or protect your head with your arms.
 Stay away from glass windows, shelves, cabinets, and other heavy objects.
 Beware of falling objects and keep your eyes open. If
you’re OUTSIDE … move to an OPEN area.
 Stay away from trees, powerlines, posts and other concrete structures.
 Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by landslides.
 If you’re near the shore and feel an earthquake, especially if it’s too strong, move
quickly to higher grounds. Tsunamis might follow.
 If you’re in a moving vehicle, STOP and GET OUT!
Do not attempt to cross bridges, overpasses, or fly-overs which may have been damaged.
AFTER
Be prepared for AFTERSHOCKS. Once the shaking stops, take the fastest and safest way out of the
building.

Don’t…
…use elevators
…enter damaged buildings.
…use telephones unless necessary.
…PANIC
Check…
…yourself and others for injuries.
…water and electrical lines for damages.
…spills of chemicals, toxic and flammable materials.
 …and control fires which may spread.
If you need to evacuate your residence, leave a message stating where you are going and bring
your EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT.
Keep updated on disaster prevention instructions from different SOCIAL MEDIA sites.

B. VOLCANIC HAZARDS
I. Volcanic hazards associated with eruption.
 Lava flow
 Tephra falls or ashfall and ballistic projectiles
 Pyroclastic density currents or PDCs (pyroclastic flow, pyroclastic surge, base surge)
 Lateral blast
 Volcanic gases

II. Volcanic hazards indirectly associated with eruption

 Lahar, flooding
 Debris avalanche, landslide
 Volcanic tsunami
 Ground deformation (subsidence, fissuring)
 Secondary explosion
 Secondary PDCs and ashfall

WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER AN ERUPTION

Before the Eruption
 Always monitor the status of volcanic activity. Be prepared to evacuate whenever a
warning is issued that requires leaving danger zones. Proceed to designated evacuation
centers using routes indicated in evacuation plans.
 Prepare a family evacuation plan which should be consistent with that for the community. Be
familiar with primary and alternate evacuation routes.
 Make provisions for transportation and communication. Prepare food and water supplies,
medicines, and survival kits that you can bring when the need for evacuation arises.
 Review materials and listen to advisories regarding the primary volcanic hazards and hazard
zones. Take note of the secondary volcanic hazards such as earthquake, tsunami, and flooding
that may not be emphasized. Inform family members about measures to be taken for safety
from these hazards.
 Fireproof house premises from passing lava flows and hot falling fragments by clearing
flammable objects. Remove roof gutters or clear debris to allow flow and avoid
 accumulation of ash. Strengthen the weak parts of house to avoid collapse from the weight of
ash accumulation.
 Participate in community efforts to prevent or mitigate the effects of volcanic hazards. These
may include preparation of preparedness and evacuation plans, piling sand bags for flood
protection, construction of diversion structures, and formation of lahar monitoring and alert
system.
During the Eruption
 Those within danger zones should evacuate carefully and orderly with your family to
designated evacuation centers. To avoid exposure to volcanic hazards, consider alternate routes
included in evacuation plan.
 Once inside the evacuation shelters, stay there. Venturing outside could expose you to ash and
other volcanic hazards and hamper smooth flow of activities within the evacuation area. Wait
until it is safe to search for friends and relatives.
 Keep doors and windows closed to minimize ash exposure. Be prepared to take cover under the
sturdy structures in case of volcanic earthquakes and rainfalls that might cause collapse of roof
covered with thick cash.
 Be ready to use face/gas mask, use a wet towel to cover face.
 Be alert for advisories regarding status of volcanic activity and for possible re-evacuation to
safer evacuation sites.

After the Eruption

 Stay where you are and do not attempt to go back to the danger zones unless advised by
competent authorities that the crisis is over and that it is safe to go back.
 As a precaution, allow only adults and responsible members of the community to check on the
livability and safety of the areas affected before going back.
 Proceed to one’s respective area with caution. Take note of other sources of danger in one’s
respective area as a consequence of the eruption and which may not have been anticipated by
authorities. These may include landslides, flooding, weakened buildings, hot volcanic materials,
and lahar.
 Participate in community efforts to ensure availability of safe food, decent shelter, clean water,
sanitation facilities, medicine, and other evacuation center necessities for yourself, your family,
and for all evacuees.
 Assist in maintaining peace and order and cleanliness within the evacuation center.
C. Hydrometeorological Hazards
I. Typhoons
What To Before, During, After the
Typhoon Before the Typhoon:
  Store an adequate supply of food and clean water
 Prepare foods that need not be cooked.
 Keep flashlights, candles, and battery-powered radios within easy reach
 Examine your house and repair its unstable parts.
 Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
 Harvest crops that can be yielded already.
 Secure domesticated animals in a safe place.
 For fisher folks, place boats in a safe area.
 Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, first aid kit, candles/flashlight, battery-
powered radio, food, etc.

During the Typhoon

 Stay inside the house.

 Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
 If safe drinking water is not available, boil water for at least 20 minutes. Place it in a container with
cover.
 Keep an eye on lighted candles or gas lamps.
 Do not wade through floodwaters to avoid being electrocuted and contracting diseases.
 If there is a need to move to an evacuation center, follow these reminders.
 Evacuate calmly.
 Close the windows and turn off the main power switch.
 Put important appliances and belongings in a high ground.
 Avoid the way leading to the river.

After the Typhoon

 If your house was destroyed, make sure that it is already safe and stable when you enter.
 Beware of dangerous animals such as snakes that may have entered your house
 Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water.
 Report damaged electrical cables and fallen electric posts to the authorities.
 Do not let water accumulate in tires, cans or pots to avoid creating a favorable condition for
mosquito breeding.
(Source: [Link]
Measures for mitigating the destructive effects of typhoons
1. Determining areas prone to typhoon related disasters.
Certain routes can be observed to be more or less consistently traversed by typhoons. Observation of
these typhoon tracks allow typhoon paths to be established. While some allowance should be made for
exceptions to the rule, like typhoons that make U turns, typhoon paths are considerably reliable and can
be used in devising plans to mitigate the destructive effects of typhoons.
Geohazard maps prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources can be consulted to determine which areas prone to landslides and flooding
coincide with paths of typhoons. This will help in identifying priority areas for directing efforts and
resources to mitigate the hazards associated with the passage of tropical cyclones.

2. Implementing legislation involving land use planning, zoning, and building standards
Areas which were determined to have a high risk to typhoon related disasters through review of
historical accounts, inspection and assessment by geohazard specialists of physical/and or geologic
conditions suggesting vulnerability, and computer-assisted multiple scenario typhoon simulations
should be prohibited from being further used for purposes in which safety of the community and the
preservation of the environment will be compromised.
Highly risks areas presently occupied for human settlement or commercial purposes should be
designated for other purposes where exposure of man to risk is put to a minimum, if not totally
eliminated.
3. Weather forecasting and monitoring
Effective forecasting and monitoring of typhoons give ample time for communities to
prepare, secure property, and to seek refuge, if necessary. It also gives a lead time for the different
businesses involved, for example in agriculture, transportation, and energy generation to make
decisions and necessary arrangements to minimize the possible losses.
PAGASA plays an important role of operating a nationwide network for forecasting and observing
typhoons that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

II. Floods
What to do before, during and after a flood
1. Long before the flood
Find out if your area is prone to flooding on existing flood maps prepared by the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau. Have an easily accessible emergency flood kit always prepared.
This kit should ideally be a bag which contains a flashlight, batteries, first aid kit, a radio, clothes,
blankets, towels, bottled water, and ready to eat food.
2. Before an impending flood
Keep tuned in to the news on television and radio for weather updates, flood warnings, and
evacuation alerts. Gather or call all family members and/or persons in your household to inform them
of the impending flood so that they could accordingly plan their activities for the day. Also, try to get
very important and delicate personal property to higher grounds to avoid damage.
3. During the flood
As much as possible, avoid having to walk or drive through floodwaters. Also, make sure to
wear boots to avoid getting electrocuted. Turn off gas lines or cooking gas tanks (LPGs), shut down
electrical panels to avoid any possible electrocution, and turn off water gauge valve to prevent any
possible harm/damage and potential costs if left unmonitored during evacuation.
4. After the flood
Take precautions against risk in entering property that may have been structurally compromised
and contaminated. If water has not entirely subsided, make sure to still wear boots to avoid getting
electrocuted. Then, if possible, document the damage to your property by taking pictures and
describing these in detail. This documentation will be necessary for claiming insurance funds to repair
your property.

C. FIRE HAZARDS
If a Fire Starts:

1. Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher

2. Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL your local emergency phone number.

3. Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use
the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.

4. If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second
way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.

5. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind
you
 6. If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet
towel under the door and call the fire department. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or
flashlight to signal for help.

7. Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department.
If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

If your clothes catch on fire:

 Stop what you’re doing.

 Drop to the ground and cover your face if you can.
 Roll over and over or back and forth until the flames go out. Running will only make the fire burn
faster.

THEN:

Once the flames are out, cool the burned skin with water for three to five minutes. Call for medical
attention.

Top Tips for Fire Safety

 Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside
sleeping areas.

 Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

 Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

 If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go
back inside for anything or anyone.
TOPIC III - Concept of Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) refers to systematic efforts to minimize vulnerabilities and
disaster risks, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) the effects of hazards.
Mitigation measures are designed to minimize disaster related losses, life, property or assets, and
environment. Like mitigation measures, preparedness measures such as early warning are DRR
treatment activities which are also done before a disaster-causing event.
Examples of DRR activities, which are done before disaster strikes are the following:
 Building code revision and implementation
 Hazard and vulnerability analysis
 Zoning and land use management
 Public awareness and education
 Early warning systems including forecasting and dissemination of warnings

Strengthening buildings to avoid collapse during an earthquake’s ground shaking,

typhoon’s wind blows, or flood’s water action are specific examples of mitigation measure.
Proper timing of crop cycles allowing harvest before flood or typhoon season and the
restriction of activities in volcanic danger zones also mitigate losses.
Determining which facilities require fire-safe roofing materials in case of fire will prevent
tremendous property loss. Protection against floods requires strong structures to withstand flood
forces or buildings that are on stilts. If necessary, flood control projects may be implemented to
reduce or divert floodwaters. The crafting and implementation of land use controls that prevent
constructing buildings and other structures in hazard prone areas is another form of mitigation
measure.
Planning for evacuation routes and camps, and logistics for providing relief supplies
is a good disaster preparedness practice that should not be missed.
Preparedness also includes activities such as stockpiling of equipment and supplies. The
promotion of public awareness through information and education campaign is one of the
pillars of disaster preparedness.
 Early warning, as part of preparedness measures, must be timely, specific, and should
explain the hazard process in a manner that can be understood by the common people. It should
communicate in clear terms the consequences of not heeding the warnings. In this way, people
can be made to take action by evacuation or avoiding danger zones. Statements on the
evacuation routes and safe destinations must also be part of the warning. Warnings should be
issued by credible and authoritative spokespersons ONLY. Doing otherwise could lead to
untold sufferings and loss to thousands of people. Equally critical is for warnings to reach the
intended recipients.
The tri-media and privately owned forms of communications and devices will be very
helpful. Popular modern communication technologies should be used to the fullest.

The Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster risk reduction activities are part and parcel of the whole effort undertaken before
and until long after a disastrous event. The entire array of activities aimed at reducing the severity of
impact of the disaster-causing event which are undertaken before, during, and after a disaster is referred
to collectively as Disaster Management (Figure 1). The activities commonly lumped together as
disaster management are:

Pre-event: Risk Assessment

Mitigation or prevention
Preparedness
Syn-event: Emergency Response (rescue, evacuation, relief) Post
event: Recovery
Rehabilitation
Reconstruction

The most challenging period of a disaster is probably right after it happens. Search and rescue
operations will be needed for those who are trapped, isolated or missing. The disaster aftermath will
yield many injured people and an environment conducive to many kinds of disease. Medical and
medicinal personnel and facilities will be required. Food, shelter, and clothing will have to be provided
for those left homeless. The coming of a big disaster means an enormous response at hand.
 Disaster recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction have to start as disaster response has
concluded. This is a gargantuan task for the government, requiring tremendous amount of funds and a
huge array of human resources. This phase might also take years before even a fraction of it is
completed.

Syn- event
Rescue
Evacuation
Relief

Figure 1. Disaster risk reduction management involves all activities from pre-disaster to post disaster
activities (recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation)
(Source: UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction)

REFERENCES:

1. Department of Science and Technology, Science Education Institute, Disaster Risk Reduction and
Manual for Science and Mathematics Teachers, 2011
2. Rimando, Rolly E. Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction, Rex Bookstore,2016
 ACTIVITY # 1

Direction: Prepare/draw a fire/disaster evacuation plan in your respective area (with proper labels). 25
points.

SAMPLE ONLY

LEGEND:
Fire Extinguisher
YOU ARE HERE
Fire Exit
FIRE EXIT

FIRE EXIT

DIRECTOR’S OFFICE

LANAI
FACULTY/STAFF CLIMATE CHANGE
ROOM LEARNING CENTER
STORAGE
CR ROOM

CR Male

CR Female TRAINING ROOM

AGROBIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
MUSEUM MUSEUM
LABORATORY

FIRE EXIT FIRE EXIT

CANOPY
EVACUATION AREA

INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE and ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUILDING

FIRE / DISASTER EVACUATION PLAN

CLSU-ICCEM-F/DEP ORIGINAL DOCUMENT