EXPOSURE and

VULNERABILITY
Lesson 2
Learning Outcomes:
• Enumerate elements exposed to hazards;
• Explain the meaning of vulnerability;
• Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable
to disaster than others;
• Analyse why certain structures are more vulnerable to
specific hazards than others;
• Determine the elements that are exposed to a particular
hazard;
• Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to
specific hazards; and
• Differentiate among hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities
and give examples from actual situations.

2
Lesson 2.1
Elements Exposed to Hazard

Lesson 2.2
Vulnerability

Lesson 2.3
Reasons why Certain Sectors of Society
are more Vulnerable to Disaster than
others

Lesson 2.4
Vulnerability to Specific Hazard

Lesson 2.5
Elements at risk and exposure to Hazards

Lesson 2.6
Philippine Exposure and Vulnerability to 3
Natural Disasters
 Introduction
The severity of the impacts of
disasters strongly depends on
the level of VULNERABILITY
and EXPOSURE.
Understanding the multifaceted nature
of vulnerability and exposure is a
prerequisite for determining how
natural hazards and climate events
contribute to the occurrence of
disasters, and for designing and
implementing effective adaptation and
4
disaster risk management strategies.
Lesson 2.1 – Elements
Exposed to Hazard
EXPOSURE refers to the “elements at
risk” from a natural or man-made
hazard event.

Elements at risk can also refer to

5
 Lesson 2.1 – Elements
Exposed to Hazard
Elements at risk include the following:
• Human beings
• Households and communities
• Buildings and structures
• Public facilities and infrastructure
assets
• Public and transport system
• Agricultural commodities
• Environmental assets
6
Lesson 2.2 – VULNERABILITY
Vulnerability is defined as ‘the
characteristics and circumstances of
a community, system or asset that
make it susceptible to the damaging
effects of a hazard”.
As indicated by UNISDR, “there
are many aspects of vulnerability
arising from various physical, social,
economic, and environmental
factors.
7
Lesson 2.2 – VULNERABILITY
Example:
• poor design and construction of
buildings,
• inadequate protection of assets,
• lack of public information and
awareness,
• limited official recognition of risks
and preparedness measures, and
• disregard for wise environment
management 8
Lesson 2.2 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
Vulnerability can be seen as
the result of a process in
which various different things
cause a population to be
more vulnerable. These can
be split into demographic,
socio-economic, community
preparedness, and dealing
with the after effects. 9
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
1. Demographic Factors
Population density
the more dense, more efficient a
response should be.
Age of Population
the very old and the very young
Distribution of population
distribution of population within
hazard area. 10
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
2. Socio-economic Factors
Wealth
low income populations are
less likely to be well prepared.
Education
education programs like shake
drill to anticipate upcoming
earthquakes. It is encourage to
be a regular activity in school 11
at least once every quarter.
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
2. Socio-economic Factors
Nature of Society
planning, strategies, efficient
emergency response, decision
making and etc.
Understanding of the Area
gives advantage to the
established or original settlers in
particular area. 12
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
3. Community Preparedness
Building Codes
protects buildings from
collapse during earthquakes.
This should be considered by
the government in the
issuance of building permits
and licenses for land
development.
13
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
3. Community Preparedness
Scientific Monitoring and Early
Warning Systems
established monitoring system
can prepare people for the
attack of any kind of disaster.
Communication Networks
plays a very important and
crucial role in times of disaster. 14
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
3. Community Preparedness
Emergency Planning
preparation is the key element
of prevention. It is likely to
prepare a person or a group
(family) for such events and take
action based on data, rather
than prediction.

15
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
4. Dealing with the After-Effects
Insurance Cover
individuals purchase insurance
policies to mitigate their losses
and prepares for similar future
events.
Emergency Personnel
these are trained for community
preparedness. 16
Lesson 2.3 – Reasons Why Certain Sectors of
Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than
Others
4. Dealing with the After-Effects
Aid Request
outside help in the form of
humanitarian aid is necessary
during disaster and it should be
fast and efficient.

17
Lesson 2.4
Vulnerability to Specific Hazards

18
There are many aspects of vulnerability, arising from
various physical, social, economic, and
environmental factors. Examples may include:
• Poor design and construction of buildings and
other infrastructures;
• Inadequate protection measures of assets;

19
• Lack of public information and awareness;
• Limited official recognition of risks and
preparedness measures, and disregard for
wise environmental management. (ADPC,
2012)
Vulnerability varies significantly within a
community and over time.

20
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
1. Physical Vulnerability
may be determined by aspects such as
population density levels, remoteness of a
settlement, the site, design and materials used
for critical infrastructure.

21
According to the UNISDR, there are four main types
of Vulnerability:
2. Social Vulnerability
Refers to the inability of people, organizations and
societies to withstand adverse impacts to hazards due
to characteristics inherent in social interactions,
institutions and systems of cultural values. It is linked
to the level of well being of individuals, communities
and society.

22
According to the UNISDR, there are four main types
of Vulnerability:
2. Social Vulnerability
It includes aspects related to levels of literacy and
education, the existence of peace and security, access
to basic human rights, systems of good governance,
social equity, positive traditional values, customs and
ideological beliefs and overall collective organizational
systems.

23
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
3. Economic Vulnerability
the level of vulnerability is highly dependent
upon the economic status of individuals,
communities and nations.

24
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
3. Economic Vulnerability
the poor are usually more vulnerable to
disasters because they lack the resources to
build sturdy structures and put other
engineering measures in place to protect
themselves from being negatively impacted
25
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
3. Economic Vulnerability
by disasters. The same people are the least
prepared due to lack of access to education
and information.

26
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
4. Environmental Vulnerability
Natural resources depletion and resource
degradation are key aspects of environmental
vulnerability. This is one aspect that both
communities and government must be
sensitive about.
27
According to the UNISDR, there are four main
types of Vulnerability:
4. Environmental Vulnerability
Mitigation measures like reforestation and
natural resource protection and conservation
must be undertaken to reduce natural
disaster risk and vulnerability.

28
Lesson 2.5
Philippine Exposure and Vulnerabilities
to Natural Disasters
29
Philippine Exposure and Vulnerabilities to
Natural Disasters

- according to a report, eight of ten world

30
- The study, published by risk analysis
firm Verisk Maplecroft, analysed the
threat posed by storms, floods,
earthquakes, tsunamis, fires,
volcanoes, and landslides in more
than 1,300 cities.

31
The study found that the 10
cities most at risk are:

32
1. Port Vila in Vanuatu
2. Tuguegarao in Cagayan
3. Lucena in Quezon Province
4. Manila

33
5. San Fernando in Pampanga
6. Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija
7. Batangas
8. Taipei

34
9. San Carlos in Pangasinan
10. Naga in Bicol Region

35
The study also found that of the 100
cities with the greatest exposure to
natural hazards, 21 in the
Philippines, 16 in China, 11 in Japan
and 8 in Bangladesh.

36
Lesson 2.6
Philippine Vulnerabilities to Natural
Disasters
37
The following statements explain
why the Philippines is vulnerable to
natural disasters specifically from the
effects of Climate Change (Climate
Change Primer Manuscript, 2014).

38
1. The Philippines lies in the
Pacific typhoon belt and we
are visited by an average of
20 typhoons every year.

39
2. The rugged nature of our
landscape

40
2. The rugged nature of our
landscape makes our
communities very vulnerable to
landslides, mudflows and other
disasters.

41
3. The Philippines is an
archipelagic country with small
islands.

42
4. Many of our areas are also at
or below sea level

43
4. Many of our areas are also at
or below sea level, and this
makes us vulnerable to flooding
and worst, submerge with rise in
sea level.

44
5. With one of the longest
coastlines in the world at 32,400
kilometers,

45
5. With one of the longest
coastlines in the world at 32,400
kilometers, we have many areas
that are vulnerable to storm
surges.

46
6. The Philippines is still a primarily
agricultural and fishing economy.

47
6. The Philippines is still a primarily
agricultural and fishing economy.
disruption in agricultural and fishery
production and destruction of our
ecosystems will have devastating effects
on our economy and food security.

48
7. Natural hazard risk is compounded
in the Philippines by poor
institutional and societal capacity to
manage, respond and recover from
natural hazard events.

49
8. The Philippines is considered “high
risk” in terms of the country’s ability to
manage and mitigate the impacts of
natural hazard and in part due to
“entrenched corruption and high levels
of poverty” (Rappler, 2014).

50
9. Aside from being at risk to typhoons,
the Philippines is also at risk to volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes and floods.

51
9. Aside from being at risk to typhoons,
the Philippines is also at risk to volcanic
eruptions (we have active volcanoes),
earthquakes (several fault lines were
identified) and floods (we have denuded
mountains).

52
Thank You!!
April Hansson

QUIZ na
+1 23 987 6554

JUDDD!! XD
[email protected]