UNIVERSITY OF CEBU AT PARDO AND TALISAY, INC.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Bulacao Campus
S.Y. 2025-2026
DISCUSSION NO. 1
DISASTER, RISK, and VULNERABILITY
I. DISASTER, RISK, VULNERABILITY, and CAPACITY
To understand the field of Disaster Risk Reduction and management (DRRM), here are the basic terms
to understand as defined by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
A.) DISASTER
This is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society causing widespread
human, material, economic, and environmental losses, which exceed the ability of the affected
community to cope using its own resources.
The following are the natural and human-induced events that can cause disasters and can
disrupt our daily activities as well as damage our property and livelihood:
a.) typhoon g.) oil spill m.) health disaster
b.) earthquake h.) nuclear disaster n.) chemical gas leak
c.) landslide i.) deforestation and habitat destruction
d.) tornado j.) agricultural runoff
e.) tsunami k.) flood caused by clogged drainage
f.) volcanic eruption l.) killer fog
B.) DISASTER RISK
It is the probability of harmful consequences or expected losses resulting from the interactions
between natural or human-induced hazards:
These are the possible harmful consequences or expected losses due to disasters:
a.) deaths
b.) injuries
c.) loss of livelihood
d.) loss of assets or properties
e.) loss of services
f.) psychological and emotional impacts
g.) social consequence particularly increased inequality
Most commonly, people take actions only after the disaster happened. This the conventional or
reactive approach which is not good. Now, we have the very good approach that is proactive. This is
called disaster risk reduction, where risks are reduced and managed even before a calamity occurs.
The risk could be high, medium, or low depending on these factors:
a.) physical factor
b.) environmental factor
c.) socio-economic factor
C.) VULNERABILITY
This is a condition determined by physical, socio-economic, and environmental factors, which
increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards. It is the extent to which a
community, structure, service, or geographic area is likely to be damaged by the impact of a particular
disaster hazard.
The following elements are at risk to disaster hazards:
1. Human Life
Population Exposure: The risk to individuals and communities, especially vulnerable
populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health
conditions.
2. Infrastructure
Buildings: Residential, commercial, and industrial structures that can be damaged or
destroyed.
Transportation Systems: Roads, bridges, railways, and airports that facilitate movement
and can be disrupted.
Utilities: Power lines, water supply systems, and sewage treatment plants that ensure
essential services.
3. Natural Resources
Water Resources: Rivers, lakes, and aquifers that may be contaminated or drained
during disasters.
Soil: Erosion and degradation that may result from floods or landslides.
Forests and Vegetation: Ecosystems that may be destroyed or altered due to disasters.
4. Economic Assets
Businesses and Industries: Local economies that can suffer losses from damage to
facilities or supply chain disruptions.
Agricultural Land and Activities: Farms that may be affected by floods, droughts, or fires,
impacting food security.
5. Cultural Heritage
Historical Sites and Monuments: Churches, temples, and other cultural landmarks that
can be damaged or lost.
Community Identity: Practices, beliefs, and traditions that may be disrupted by the
consequences of a disaster.
6. Environmental Systems
Ecosystems: Flora, fauna, and biodiversity that are affected by habitat destruction or
pollution.
Air Quality: Pollution from fires, industrial accidents, or debris can affect respiratory
health.
7. Health Systems
Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals and clinics that can be overwhelmed or damaged during
disasters.
Public Health: Potential outbreaks of disease following disasters due to compromised
sanitation and healthcare access.
8. Social Systems
Community Networks: Social cohesion and networks that can be disrupted, impacting
recovery and support mechanisms.
Governance and Institutions: Local, regional, and national governments that may
struggle to respond effectively to disasters.
9. Psychosocial Well-Being
Mental Health: The psychological impact of experiencing disaster events and associated
trauma.
The following are different types of vulnerabilities:
1.) Physical and Environmental Vulnerability
This refers to the human-made environment like buildings and infrastructures, and the natural
environment such as agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture that may be vulnerable in earthquakes,
floods, landslides, fires, and other hazards.
2.) Economic Vulnerability
It pertains to the assets and resources of the community of the community that are susceptible
or prone to disasters, including the production, distribution and utilization of goods and services that
ensure the well-being of people.
` 3.) Social Vulnerability
A socially vulnerable community has weak family structures, lack of leadership for
decision-making and conflict resolution, unequal participation in decision making, weak or no
community organizations, and the one in which people are discriminated on racial, ethnic, linguistic
or religious basis.
4.) Attitudinal Vulnerability
A community that has negative attitude towards change and lacks initiative in life will make that
community to become more and more dependent on external support. The people in that community
cannot act independently. Thus, people in this community become victims of conflicts, hopelessness
and negativism that reduces their capacity of coping with a disaster.
D.) CAPACITY
The opposite of vulnerability is capacity. This the combined strengths of a community that can
help in reducing and managing disaster risks.