Exposure and Vulnerability: Marquez, Carl Durano, Elaikha Lamboloto, Edjann

MODULE 2: Marquez, Carl
Durano, Elaikha
Lamboloto, Edjann
EXPOSURE AND
VULNERABILITY
EXPOSURE VULNERABILITY
refers to the presence of people, is the capacity of a person, a group
livelihood, environmental services and
of persons, or a community to prepare
resources, infrastructure, or economic,
for, deal with, withstand, or recover
social, or cultural assets in places that could
be adversely affected by physical events from the effects of natural hazards. It
and which, thereby, are subject to potential differs between and among individuals,
future harm, loss, or damage. It may be
groups, or communities.
possible to be exposed but not vulnerable.
ELEMENTS EXPOSED TO
HAZARD
ELEMENTS EXPOSED TO HAZARD
Exposure refers to the elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event. This could include:
• individuals;
• dwellings or household and communities;
• buildings and structures;
• public facilities and infrastructure assets;
• agricultural commodities;
• environmental assets; and
• business activity
FACTORS OF
VULNERABILITY
FACTORS OF VULNERABILITY
1.) Economic/Financial Status
The widening gap between rich and poor, rural
and urban incomes and hence the disparity in living
standards can be witnessed in the flood plains of
developing countries. The poor are less able to afford
housing and other infrastructure that can withstand
extreme events, and less likely to have access to
medical care.
2.) Quality of Governance
They can advance policies that reduce

vulnerability. They can support education and
awareness efforts, as well as economic development
to reduce poverty. they can foster social networks and
empower individuals and communities to help
themselves to prepare for and respond to hazards.
3.) Socio-cultural Background
Some cultural beliefs and fatalistic attitudes
contribute to a community’s vulnerability. In some
societies, natural disasters are considered to be acts
of God and taken as if there is nothing human
beings could do to prevent hazards from turning into
disasters. Lack of faith in the social system and lack
of confidence in the ability to manage flood risks
manifests itself in resistance to any such change.
4.) Gender Types
In societies where the decision-making power
resides solely with the men of the family, ignoring the
wisdom and experience of women and denying or
limiting them the adequate access to knowledge and
capacity development schemes, which otherwise may
be available to men, can deny the society the use of
such human resources and contribute to women’s
vulnerability in terms of personal security, health and
well being, economic security and livelihoods.
5.) Weaker Social Groups
In a society made up of various social groups,
the needs of each group differ. Children, women,
elderly and disabled people have unique group
features that may add to their vulnerabilities in
particular situations, such as during evacuation,
sheltering, relief distribution and the rehabilitation
process.
6.) Education
With education, we can learn how to avoid or
reduce many impacts. When populations include
professionals trained in hazards, then these people
can help the populations with their hazards
preparations and responses.
LEVELS OF
VULNERABILITY
LEVELS OF VULNERABILITY
 It depends on several factors:
• The elements influencing the hazards
• Perception of hazards
• Location of the people or objects affected
• Circumstances existing at a particular point in

time
 Vulnerability and vulnerability levels
are a function of space and time
• Susceptibility to landslide is higher when one is
closer to slopes than when he/she is farther.
• During incessant rainfall, susceptibility to flooding

in low-lying areas increases with time if no
intervention is made to lower it.
 It can be measured and assessed:
• Individual level
• Household level
• Community level
• Municipal level
• National level
TYPES OF
VULNERABILITY
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 and for housing.
Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an

earthquake, but are more vulnerable to fire.
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.
Example: When flooding occurs, some citizens such as

children, elderly, and differently-able, may be unable to
protect themselves or evacuate if necessary.
3.) Economic Vulnerability
The level of vulnerability is highly dependent upon the
economic status of individuals, communities and nations.
Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements

because they cannot afford to live in safer areas.
4.) Environmental Vulnerability
Natural resource depletion and resource degradation
are key aspects of environmental vulnerability.
Example: Wetlands, such as the Caroni Swamp, are sensitive

to increasing salinity from sea water, and pollution from
stormwater runoff containing agricultural chemicals, eroded
soils, etc.
VULNERABLE GROUPS
AND THEIR
CLASSIFICATION
VULNERABLE GROUPS
There are certain groups that are at a higher level of vulnerability to
hazards and risk to disasters. These groups, which are sometimes
collectively known as “special populations” or “populations at risk”,
are unable to fend for themselves in times of disasters or emergencies.
CLASSIFICATION OF VULNERABLE
GROUPS
• Persons with Disabilities
• Persons with Special Conditions
• The young, which include infants and children
• The frail elderly
• Prisoners
• People who are economically disadvantaged
• Those who have language barriers

CLASSIFICATION OF VULNERABLE
GROUPS
Examples:
1.) The physically impaired persons may find it challenging to access a number of facilities as they become much more limited
during disasters. Additionally, during and after a disaster, gadgets or instruments that assist PWDs may be difficult to find or use,
especially those that are electrically powered or battery operated, as sources of power may be limited if ever, they are available.
2.) The PWDs are oftentimes misunderstood either because they are not able to fully communicate their thoughts, needs, and
feelings, or because their behavior is not clear to non-PWDs; thus, this aggravates their already difficult situation.
3.) The elderly group comprises men and women who are 60 years old and above. Otherwise known as senior citizens, seniors, or
older adults, majority of the members of this age group may suffer from mobility issues and start to slow down in their normal
routine and social activities due to some form of affliction with common chronic ailments such as hypertension, heart conditions,
etc.

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MODULE 2: Marquez, Carl

• dwellings or household and communities;

• buildings and structures;

• public facilities and infrastructure assets;

• environmental assets; and

They can advance policies that reduce

• Location of the people or objects affected

• Circumstances existing at a particular point in

• During incessant rainfall, susceptibility to flooding

Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an

Example: When flooding occurs, some citizens such as

Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements

Example: Wetlands, such as the Caroni Swamp, are sensitive

• Persons with Special Conditions

• The young, which include infants and children

• The frail elderly

• People who are economically disadvantaged

• Those who have language barriers

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