DISASTER
READINESS AND
RISK REDUCTION
Lesson 2 – Exposure and Vulnerability
Source: Heo, B., et al. (2020). An algorithm for validation of the efficiency of disaster and safety
management budget investment in South Korea. International Journal for Disaster Risk Reduction
Hazards
▪ The threat of damage, injury
and even death due to either
a natural or man-made events
▪ Potential source of harm
Hazard and Disaster
Source: Huq, E. (2013). Flood hazard, vulnerability, and adaptation of slum dwellers in
Dhaka. LAMBERT Academic Publishing: Saarbrücken, Germany
Mag Overthink!
What if Super Typhoon Yolanda did not cross the
country and instead deviate its track all the way to
the Pacific Ocean? Is the natural event considered a
hazard or disaster?
Exposure
▪ Refers to the number of
people or structures within
the area
▪ The elements ‘at risk’ from a
natural or man-made hazard
▪ Humans
▪ Households
▪ Infrastructures
▪ Transport systems
Vulnerability
▪ The degree of loss to each
element should a hazard of a
given severity occur
▪ What makes a certain
community susceptible to the
damaging effects of a hazard?
4 Main Types of Vulnerability
Physical Vulnerability
• Population density level
• Remoteness of the settlement
• Materials of the infrastructures and housing
4 Main Types of Vulnerability
Social Vulnerability
• Certain population groups may be more
vulnerable than others
• May be related to levels of literacy and
education
• e.g, PWDs, Children, Seniors, Immunocompetent
Individuals, Homeless, Marginalized People
4 Main Types of Vulnerability
Economic Vulnerability
• Susceptibility of individuals, communities,
business, and governments to cushion the
effects of a hazard event.
4 Main Types of Vulnerability
Environmental Vulnerability
• Depletion of natural resources are key aspects of
environmental vulnerability
• Can be mitigated by reforestation, natural
resource protection and conservation
Hazards and
Hazard Types
Geologic
Hazards
▪ Geologic condition capable of
causing widespread damage
and loss of life
▪ e.g., Earthquake and Volcanic
Eruption
Hydrometeorological
Hazards
▪ Hazards that are atmospheric,
hydrological, or oceanographic
origin
▪ e.g., Floods, Tornadoes,
Thunderstorms, Typhoons,
Extreme Temperature
Biological Hazards
▪ Microorganisms that can pose
threat to human health
▪ e.g., SARS-CoV-2, HIV, Parasites,
Salmonella spp.
Hazard
Mapping
Source: Lapidez, et al. (2015). Identification of storm surge vulnerable areas in the Philippines
Hazard
Mapping