Disaster Readiness and

Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Basic Concept of Disaster and
Disaster Risk



 Disaster Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Basic Concept of Disaster and
Disaster Risk

 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. What is this inherently unexpected and happening that comes quickly

without any warning?
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. phenomenon
d. risk

2. A natural disaster is a(n) _____ event.

a. expected
b. planned
c. scheduled
d. unexpected

3. It is also called as the Circum-Pacific belt, the zone of earthquakes

surrounding the Pacific Ocean where about 99% of the world’s
earthquake occurs.
a. locust
b. drought
c. ring of fire
d. subsidence

4. All the following show effect of disasters EXCEPT__________.

a. displacement of populations
b. damage to the ecological environment
c. destruction of a population’s homeland
d. sustained public attention during the recovery phase.

5. Which of the following is an example of man-caused disaster?

a. storm surges
b. flooded coastal areas
c. landslide on mining sites
d. oil spills from shipping boat

6. Which of the following is an example of natural hazards?

a. factories

 b. fault lines
c. mining sites
a. chemical plants

7. Which of the following is NOT a type of natural hazard that causes

disaster?
a. tornado
b. typhoon
c. earthquake
d. car accident

8. It is defined as the source of danger and something that may cause

injury or harm.
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. phenomenon
d. risk

9. Which of the following category is NOT part of man-made hazard?

a. terrorism/violence
b. technological/industrial
c. complex humanitarian emergencies
d. preventive and precautionary measures

10. Which of the following is useful to better establish priorities and

response activities, and systematize previous experiences?
a. disaster risk
b. effects of disaster
c. phases of disaster
d. categories of disaster

11. It involves the identification and mapping of the elements at risk and
the assessment of people, animals and plants that may be affected?
a. exposure
b. vulnerability
a. disaster risk
c. risk assessment

12. The potential disaster losses in lives, health statuses, livelihoods,

assets, and services, which could occur in a particular community or a
society over some specified future time period is called _______________.
a. disaster risk
b. disaster mitigation
c. disaster preparedness
d. disaster prevention
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 13. Disaster has a great impact on __________________.

a. buildings
b. garden
c. humanity
d. Parks
14. Which of the following is a product of the massive damages to life and
property caused by a hazard due to the vulnerability within a
community? a. destruction
b. disaster
c. disaster risk
d. vulnerability

15. Disaster risk can be determined by the presence of the following

elements of Disaster EXCEPT _______________.
a. phenomenon
b. coping capacity
c. vulnerability to a hazard
d. hazard (natural or man-made)

Lesson
What is Disaster and
1 Disaster Risk?
In this module, the learners will hold an understanding about disaster
and develop a firm grasp of a very crucial factor that has direct bearing on
disaster and disaster risk.

What’s In

Philippines: A Country Prone to Natural Disasters

The Philippines has experienced from an inexhaustible number of

deadly earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and other natural disasters. This is

 due to its location along the Ring of Fire, a large Pacific Ocean region where
many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

Activity 1: “Count Me In”

Direction: Write five (5) disastrous events in the Philippines in the last five
years that you could still recall. Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.
Zamboanga Massacre
1. _____________________________________

2. Maguindanao Massacre
_____________________________________
Taal Volcano eruption
3. _____________________________________
Bagyong Yolanda
4. _____________________________________
Typhoon Ursula
5. _____________________________________

What’s New

 Activity 1.1 Understanding Disaster

Instructions: Analyze the given images and answer the given questions
below:

1. In two to three sentences, describe the given images.

___________________________________________________________________________
The pictures show the aftermath of the disaster. How it destroys the homes
___________________________________________________________________________
and city of the people residing there. It shows how hard it is to put back the
___________________________________________________________________________
crumbs left by the disaster.
___________________________________________________________________________

2. List down the disasters that you can identify from the images.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Typhoon, earthquake, flood
___________________________________________________________________________

What is It

IT’S A DISASTER

 Disaster is "a sudden, calamitous occurrence that causes great harm,

injury, destruction, and devastation to life and property”. It disrupts the
usual course of life, causing both physical and emotional distress such as
an intense feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. A preceding definition
of disaster stresses that two elements are affected – life (whether human or
animal) and property. The effects vary – it maybe a minor damage (like
broken windows and doors), major damage (like torn rooftops, collapsed
walls), total destruction (like completely destroyed houses and structures
rendering them useless and inhabitable) and the worst scenario, it can lead
to death. (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, ADPC, 2012)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2008),

disaster is “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental
losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources”.
Any adverse episode or phenomenon can exploit a vulnerability in the
affected population or community to create damage and this awareness will
form the basis for an adequate intervention.

Meanwhile, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster

Reduction defines disaster as a serious disruption of the functioning of a
community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or
environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected
community or society to cope using its own resources.

Disasters are often a result of the combination of: the exposure to a

hazard; the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient
capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative
consequences.

Its impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other negative
effects on human physical, mental, and social wellbeing, together with
damage to properties, destruction of assets, loss of services, social and
economic disruptions, and environmental degradation.

 Mahar, Patrick, et.al, “Disasters and their Effects on the Population: Key Concepts,” Accessed (01
June 2020), https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/disasters_dpac_PEDsModule1.pdf

Image 1. Different kinds of Natural Disasters

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 Classification of Disasters:

Disasters can be divided into 2 large categories:

A. Natural Disasters – a natural phenomenon is caused by natural

forces, such as earthquakes, typhoon, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes,
fires, tornados, and extreme temperatures. They can be classified as rapid
onset disasters and those with progressive onset, such as droughts that
lead to famine. These events, usually sudden, can have tremendous
effects.
B. Man-made - Disasters caused by man are those in which major
direct causes are identifiable intentional or non-intentional human
actions.

Subdivided into three categories:

1. Technological/industrial disasters - Unregulated industrialization
and inadequate safety standards increase the risk for industrial
disasters.

EXAMPLE: leaks of hazardous materials; accidental explosions; bridge

or road collapses, or vehicle collisions; Power cuts

2. Terrorism/Violence - the threat of terrorism has also increased due

to the spread of technologies involving nuclear, biological, and
chemical agents used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

EXAMPLE : bombs or explosions; release of chemical materials;

release of biological agents; release of radioactive agents; multiple or
massive shootings; mutinies

3. Complex humanitarian emergencies - the term complex emergency

is usually used to describe the humanitarian emergency resulting
from an international or civil war. In such situations, large numbers
of people are displaced from their homes due to the lack of personal
safety and the disruption of basic infrastructure including food
distribution, water, electricity, and sanitation, or communities are left
stranded and isolated in their own homes unable to access
assistance.

EXAMPLE: conflicts or wars and Genocide the deliberate killing of a

large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or
nation

“Disasters and their Effects on the Population: Key Concepts,”, Accessed on 02

June
2020, pages 7-10, https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/
d i s a s t e r s _
dpac_PEDsModule1.
pdf .

11

 The damage caused by disaster cannot be measured. It also differs

with the kind of geographical location, climate, earth’s specific
characteristics, and level of vulnerability. These determining factors affect
generally the psychological, socio – economic, political, and ethnical state of
the affected area.

Risk and Disaster Risk

Risk has various connotations within different disciplines. In general,

risk is defined as “the combination of the probability of an event and its
negative consequences” (UNISDR, 2009). The term risk is thus
multidisciplinary and is used in a variety of contexts. It is usually associated
with the degree to which humans cannot cope (lack of capacity) with a
situation (e.g. natural hazard).

The term disaster risk refers to the potential (not actual and realized)
disaster losses, in lives, health status, livelihoods, assets, and services
which could occur in a community or society over some specified future time
period.

Disaster risk is the product of the possible damage caused by a

hazard due to the vulnerability within a community. It should be noted that
the effect of a hazard (of a particular magnitude) would affect communities
differently (Von Kotze, 1999:35).

It can also be determined by the presence of three variables: hazards

(natural or anthropogenic); vulnerability to a hazard; and coping capacity
linked to the reduction, mitigation, and resilience to the vulnerability of a
community.

What’s More

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 Activity 1.2 FIX ME!!!

Instruction: Arranged the given jumbled letters to identify the correct
terminology. The definition will help you to derive the correct answer.
Answering this activity will develop your visual and analysis skills. Write
your answer in your answer sheet.

JUMBLED LETTERS DEFINITION

A sudden calamitous event, bringing great

1. RTAIESSD DISASTER damage, loss, destruction, and devastation.

A path along the Pacific Ocean characterized

2. GRNI FO IEFR RING OF FIRE by active volcanoes and frequent
earthquakes.
An event causing great and often sudden
3. TALAYMIC CALAMITY
damage or distress.

Shaking of earth caused by waves moving

4. AQRHTEKEAU EARTHQUAKE
on and below the earth's surface.

VOLCANIC When lava and gas are discharged from a

5. ICNLOVAC IPREOUTN ERUPTION
volcanic vent.
Largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic
6. CFCPIAI NEAOC PACIFIC OCEAN
divisions.
Type of tropical cyclone, or severe tropical
7. OOYNHPT TYPHOON
storm.
A natural event such as a flood,
8. LTARUNA RTAIESDS NATURAL earthquake, or hurricane that causes great
DISASTER damage or loss of life.

9. ETUTODSRCIN DESTRUCTION A sudden or great misfortune or failure.

Caused by man are those in which major

10. NMA EDMA RESTSAID direct causes are identifiable intentional
MAN MADE DISASTER or non-intentional human actions.

Activity 1.3 Understanding Natural and Man-Made Disaster

Direction: Identify the given set of images if it is Natural or Man Made. Put
your answer on the blank space below each picture.

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 Classifying Disaster
(Natural or Man-Made)

"Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines" by “Military convoy" by chelmonette is

ochacolombia is licensed under CC BY- licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
NC-ND 2.0
NATURAL MAN MADE
________________________________ ________________________________

"File:Ezra Acayan Mayon pic.jpg" by

"Toxic Metal Barrel" by azzajess is
Ezra Acayan, licensed under CC BY-SA
licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
4.0
________________________________
NATURAL ________________________________
MAN MADE

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 "Motor Vehicle Accident at Clinton and "6.0 Magnitude Earthquake in the City
Lafayette Ave" by cisc1970 is licensed of Napa" by Cal OES is licensed under
under CC BY-NC 2.0 CC BY-NC 2.0
MAN MADE NATURAL
_______________________________ _______________________________

Guide Question:
Based on the presented images, how will you differentiate natural from
manmade disasters? Explain your answer in 2-3 sentences. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.
A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth; examples
___________________________________________________________________________
include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic
___________________________________________________________________________
processes. Man-made disasters are usually the result of things going wrong in our complex
technological society. They include: blackouts, hazardous material spills, air pollution, house fires,
___________________________________________________________________________
radiation leaks, food or water contamination, and industrial chemical releases.

Given the table, give a natural disaster you experienced within your locality
or you had heard from the news recently. What makes it a natural disaster?

1. Give a man-made disaster you experienced within your locality or you had
heard from the news recently.

Natural Disaster Man-made Disaster

Bohol earthquake Arson in the Ph

Typhoon Bopha Attacks in the Ph
Pantukan landslide Mass murders
Tropical Storm Washi Mining disasters
Typhoon Fengshen Transportation disasters

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 Activity 1.4 Understanding Disaster Risk

Direction: In this activity, you must identify the classification of disaster as
well as the disaster risk of a given disaster situations. Accomplish the table
below. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Classification of
Disaster Risks
Disasters Disaster
(Effects)
(Natural or Man-Made)
1. typhoon natural inflict terrible damage
direct effects of conflict include death, physical
2. war conflicts man made
and psychological trauma, and displacement
3. volcanic eruption produce large amounts of gas that can
natural irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory
system.
cause severe burns when touched, damage
4. chemical leakages man made eyesight, and cause harm to the respiratory tract

5. vehicular accident man made physical,mental and emotional injuries

6. earthquake natural liquefaction, landslides, fire, and tsunami which

would lead to far higher level of damage and losses
food insecurity, famine, malnutrition,
7. drought natural
epidemics and displacement of populations
produces lightning, which kills more
8. thunderstorms natural people each year than tornadoes
9. tuberculosis man made death

10. rainfall-induced can lead to either a decrease or complete

natural elimination of soil suction, compromising the
landslide slopes' stability

11. floods in rivers and natural frequent road closures, reduced stormwater
drainage capacity, deterioration of infrastructure,
coastal areas and intrusion of saltwater to drinking water.
destroy houses, cabins and shacks on its
12. avalanche natural
pathway.
they savagely attack coastlines, causing
13. tsunami natural
devastating property damage and loss of life.
exposed to high levels of radiation and could
14. bomb explosion man made
develop symptoms of radiation sickness or death
Disasters destroy homes and displace
15. house man made
residents

Stop and Reflect

Now review your previous Activity number 1.3 and 1.4. Do you think the

given ideas/concepts are clear for you to understand different kinds of

disasters that the country has experienced including its disaster risks?
Agree or Disagree?

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 What I Have Learned

Exit Ticket

Have you learned so much from this module? What are the three
things that you learned today? What are the two things you found
interesting?

Disasters
3 Things I learned Today 1. _______________________________________
Disaster Risks
_______________________________________
2.
Man made disasters and natural disasters
3. ________________________________________

How there are different types of

2 Things I Found Interesting 1. ____________________________________
disasters.

How the house has disaster risks.

2. ____________________________________

1 Question I have How do i survive disasters

1. ________________________________________

What I Can Do

Now that you’ve already learned and understand the lesson focusing on
disaster and disaster risk, it’s time to work to demonstrate your learning.
Are you ready? Sure, you are!

Activity 1.5 Am I Ready?

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 Directions: Answer the given question. Write your answer on a separate

sheet of paper.

Do you think you are relatively well prepared when a disaster might affect
your community either natural or man-made as well as to its effects? List
down five (5) important things that you need to prepare to lessen the
possible danger that you and your family might encounter when a disaster
strike. Explain your answers briefly and write it on your answer sheet.
1. Identify Hazards in the Home. To lessen the impact of a disaster, hazardous objects or conditions around the home should be
remedied. For1. ________________________________________________________________________
example, any frayed electrical wiring or leaky gas connections should be fixed.

2. Obtain First2.
Aid________________________________________________________________________
Supplies and CPR Skills. All family members, including older children, should learn basic first aid skills. Effective
and prompt first aid attention to medical emergencies, such as choking, spinal injury, bleeding, electrocution, heart attack, and burns,
can reduce injury and save lives.
3. ________________________________________________________________________
3. Establish a Disaster Meeting Place and Family Contact. Due to the wide variety of possible disasters, two meeting places should
be established.4.In________________________________________________________________________
the event of a sudden emergency, such as a fire or explosion, a location right outside the home might be arranged.

5. ________________________________________________________________________
4. Develop Adequate Water Storage. If a flood, earthquake, hurricane, or power outage strikes a community, access to water may be
restricted. Most people drink at least two quarts of water per day, according to the American Red Cross. Hot weather can dramatically
increase this amount. Water is also necessary for food preparation and hygiene.

5. Prepare a Food Supply. Although people can survive with little or no food for days or weeks, it is wise to stock some food in the
event of a major catastrophe. Foods that require no refrigeration, such as canned meats, fruits, and vegetables, work best.

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is a sudden, calamitous event, bringing great

damage, loss, destruction, and devastation to life and property?
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. phenomenon
d. risk

2. A natural disaster can be a _____________ .

a. phenomenon
b. terrorism/Violence
c. technological/industrial issues
d. complex humanitarian emergencies

3. All of the following are the effects of disasters EXCEPT ___________

a. can destroy health infrastructure

18

 b. can cause an unexpected number of deaths

c. can have adverse effects on the environment
d. can cause the ability of every specie to reproduce

4. It is also called as the Circum-Pacific belt, the zone of earthquakes

surrounding the Pacific Ocean where about 99% of the world’s
earthquake occurs.
a. drought
b. ring of fire
c. subsidence
d. Bermuda Triangle

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of man-caused hazard?

a. mutiny
b. genocide
c. earthquake
d. bombs or explosions

6. It is defined as the source of danger and something that may cause

injury or harm. It is also the uncertain course of events in a country.
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. risk
d. phenomenon

7. Which of the following category is a man-made hazard?

a. storm surges
b. flooded coastal areas
c. Landslide on Mining sites
d. Oil Spills from shipping boat

8. Which of the following is NOT included in the phases of disaster?

a. recovery phase
b. planning phase
c. emergency phase
d. preparedness phase

9. A natural disaster where sea waves of local or distant origin that results
from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large
19

 earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploring volcanic hazards is

called _______
a. earthquake
b. flood
c. tsunami
d. typhoon

10. During the initial stage of a disaster, almost all surface means of
transportation within the community are disrupted by broken bridges,
roads, and streets that are rendered impassable by landslides or floods. The
restricted mobility of vehicles makes rescue and other emergency
operations doubly difficult. What is this impact/ effect of disaster?
a. economic impact
b. social and political impact
c. damage to critical facilities
d. disruption of transportation

11. Which of the following variables will NOT determine the elements in
identifying disaster risk?
a. coping capacity
b. population explosion
c. vulnerability to a hazard
d. hazard (natural or man-made)

12. There are many impacts of Disaster, on what impact it will fall if a person is
suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome?
a. physical wellbeing impact
b. mental wellbeing impact
c. social wellbeing impact
d. none of the above

13. Erica is outside the building. Which action should she do when she feels
the ground is shaking?
a. Stay away from trees, powerlines, post and concrete structures.
b. Move away from steep slopes which may be affected by landslides.
c. If near the shore and feel and earthquake, especially if it’s too strong,
move quickly to higher grounds.
d. All of the above.

14. The potential disaster losses in lives, health statuses, livelihoods, assets,
and services, which could occur in a particular community or a society over
some specified future time period is called _______________.
a. disaster risk

20

 b. disaster mitigation
c. disaster prevention
d. disaster preparedness

15. Disaster has a great impact on which of the following aspect?

a. Bacteria
b. Human
c.Invention
d.Technology
Additional Activities

Activity 1.6 The Search is Over

Direction: Search and encircle among the jumble of letters the key terms in
the definition of disaster according to the Asian Disaster Preparedness
Center. You should find nine (9) key terms.

Y N H E R M L B V C X A S T R A I C K Y
G Y R O S C O P I N N X I P L U C K Y S
O U R S I E B I L O S S E R O S A R I O
D E V A S T A T I O N O U O L A L M E N
S E E D L I N G F O R T E P L A A N K G
D I S E L I E G E V E N T E M E M R I T
Y A C T I E V T E N M I O R T A I N O U
X A N A R O U S F O R M U T O I T I O Z
C H A N E U R S E Y R O S Y O U O M I D
F U L L I A C A N N O T M O V E U P S Y
D R I V E N S T O W A R D E S T S W E T
H O S P I T A K I T S D A M A G E M E N
T S U D D E N D E O N T R K X U T O P Y
T Y N D A K O L Q I N U T T I E S D R O

Once your word hunt is complete, use the key terms to define Disaster.
Your definition should be a restatement/paraphrase of the definition by the
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center.
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
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 3. ______________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________
6. ______________________________________________________________
7. ______________________________________________________________
8. ______________________________________________________________
9. ______________________________________________________________

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