DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR) – Unit 2

Lesson 1: Vulnerability
VULNERABILITY
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (formerly United Nations International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction or UNISDR) which was established in 1999 has the mandate to be the main coordinator of
the United Nations system on its disaster reduction activities.
The UNDRR is one of the leading authorities in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
UNDRR in its 2014 list of terminologies defines vulnerability as a set of “characteristics and circumstances,
system, or assets that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of hazards.”
Vulnerability is one of the determinants of the effects and impacts of hazards. Vulnerability affects how
people live, their resources, and their capacity to address hazards.
Vulnerability can also be defined as lack of power to be safe in times of disasters. Disasters might affect the
whole country or community, but its effects and impacts vary. These variations or levels of vulnerability
depend on wealth, education, gender, age, and other cultural and social conditions.
FACTORS AFFECTING VULNERABILITY:
 PHYSICAL
Characteristics:
Location (e.g. nearness to bodies of water, volcano, and other landslide-prone areas)
Environment (e.g. tall and old trees, stray dogs and cats, wild animals, and dengue-affected area)
Structural (e.g. no perimeter fence, improper electrical wiring installation, non-compliant with building
code, fire exits are too narrow, slippery hallways, broken window glasses)

 SOCIAL
Characteristics:
absence or lack of implementation of DRRM committee
lacking or unknown contingency plan
unclear protocols
no organized evacuation drills
no early warning system
uncooperative neighborhood
local community leaders are not trained in DRRM
absence or lack of DRRM related facilities and equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits,
ambulance, and others

 MOTIVATIONAL
Characteristics:
No coordination between local leaders and community people.
Funds for DRRM were diverted to other programs and initiatives.
 Local leaders are unwilling to integrate DRRM into their programs and initiatives.
Internal conflicts and divisions exist between local community leaders.
A community is unaware of risks and their possible consequences.
CATEGORIES OF VULNERABILITY
The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center has categorized vulnerability into two, hazard-specific and setting
specific.
 HAZARD – SPECIFIC
- A characteristic which makes the element concerned susceptible to the forces or impacts of a
hazard. The geophysical and locational attributes of the elements given are considered in this
category.
- Ex: Catanduanes is vulnerable to typhoons.
Surigao is vulnerable to tsunami and storm surge.
Central Luzon is vulnerable to an eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Metro Manila is vulnerable to 7.2 magnitude earthquake called “Big One.”
 SETTING – SPECIFIC
- A place or an area becomes susceptible to hazards according to their location or setting.
- Ex: Baseco compound is a congested area with many makeshift houses. Due to its location and the
economic status of people living there, it is vulnerable to different hazards.
Metro cities of Cebu and Manila due to its congested areas and high population are vulnerable to
fire and earthquake.
Residential settlements along bodies of water (rivers, coastal area, and delta) are vulnerable to
flood and effects of climate change.
TYPES OF VULNERABILITY
PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY - pertains to potential damages a hazard can do to physical structures.
It can also affect lifelines or critical facilities that are needed to sustain the life of a community, like power and
water supplies, and telecommunications facilities.
The physical environment can also be considered— devastated agricultural lands will affect food supply and
contribute more to vulnerabilities of the already vulnerable sectors of society.
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY - is defined as “the people’s capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover
from impacts of natural hazards” (Wisher, et al. 2004).
There are many factors affecting the social vulnerability of a certain community or group such as economic
status, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and disability.
Powerful people might not be vulnerable to hazards because they are equipped and prepared, while the poor
are more vulnerable because of their living conditions, the environment they live in, and their access to
certain services of the government.
This is where marginalization takes place, when a certain sector of society is excluded from getting the basic
social services in times of disasters.
LESSON 2 – Vulnerability of Sectors of Society to Disasters
Poverty is a significant factor in vulnerability and capacity, but it does not necessarily mean that low-income
families are always vulnerable to hazards.
Susceptibility to hazard increases due to lack of education and training on disaster preparedness.
The following factors may affect different sectors of society:
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS or wealth plays a vital role on why some sectors of society are more vulnerable
than others. Rich or developed countries do not suffer as much relative to developing nations when a natural
hazard occurs.
The same is true to families whose houses are not compliant to the National Building Code of the Philippines
(materials, structure, ventilation, sanitation, and others).
There are also families that have the budget to buy first aid kits and stock necessary supplies (food and
clothing) that they might need during and after a disaster, while the others cannot even purchase food thrice a
day because of their everyday financial struggle.
Government and other non-governmental civic organizations education programs and activities lessen the
impacts or effects of disasters.
The quarterly National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) together
with other government agencies and local government units like the Bureau of Fire Protection,
Municipal/City/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other relevant agencies help
improve the level of awareness and preparedness of communities when disaster happens.
Government agencies also have the primary task of ensuring a safe and resilient environment and
community. They are responsible for planning and creating measures to lessen the impact of disasters on the
cities.
The movement of people from one place to another is called migration. This shift can be due to different
factors, and displacement also affects the level of vulnerability of people.
Migrants, refugees, and internally-displaced persons (IDP) do not receive the same response and relief from
the government. Typically, these types of people suffer most when disaster strikes because of their
unfamiliarity with their current place of settlement.
There are instances when the host country prioritizes their citizens before they extend relief to migrants.
DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS - Settlement patterns and population density that is both associated with
urbanization increase vulnerability to disaster risk. Rapid urbanization comes with ballooning of population. It
has increased the number of people exposed and vulnerable to disaster risk. Due to its rapidness, unplanned
development and poor infrastructure pose a serious threat.
Urbanization attracts people from surrounding areas making it more difficult for the government to provide
adequate resources and training to increase capacity and prevent disasters.
Age of population or the number of young and seniors living in communities is also a prime factor in
determining the level of vulnerability. These groups are more vulnerable because of their inability to respond
and cope with disasters.
In a typical evacuation scenario, the first to be evacuated are women, children, and the elderly. People who
also suffer from illness are also vulnerable and need immediate attention during emergencies.
Social groups such as the marginalized (groups excluded or underrepresented in planning and decision-
making) are those discriminated against during the post-disaster rescue, relief operations, recovery, and
rehabilitation efforts.
The following are the most commonly identified marginalized or excluded groups in times of emergencies:
 pregnant women
 racial or ethnic minority
 mentally and physically challenged individuals
 tourists
 migrants
 prisoners
These groups of people are not biologically excluded but separated through socially constructed barriers.