GRADE 11- DISASTER READINESS AND RISK REDUCTION

MODULE 3: EXPOSURE AND VULNERABILITY

Objectives:
 Explain the meaning of vulnerability.
 Explain the meaning of exposure
 Distinguish vulnerability, exposure, and hazards.
 Recognize the connection among vulnerability, exposure, and hazards.
 Enumerate elements exposed to hazards.
 Explain why certain sectors of society are more vulnerable to disaster than others.
 Analyze why certain structures are more vulnerable to specific hazards than others.
 Recognize the vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to specific hazards.
 Give an example of an actual situation that demonstrates vulnerabilities, exposure, and hazard of a
community.

Lesson Presentation

CONCEPT OF VULNERABILITY

VULNERABILITY – the diminished capacity of an individual or group to anticipate, cope with

with, resist, and recover from the impact of a natural or man-made hazard
(International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
- The characteristics and circumstances of a community, system, or asset that make it
susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. (United
Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)

Vulnerability is situation specific.

If earthquakes are frequent in a particular region, it does not mean that all the provinces in that region
are vulnerable. The vulnerability of the provinces differs in the way they prepare for the hazard and the amount
and type of resources they have to prevent and manage it.

Vulnerability is also hazard specific.

This means that a community that is vulnerable to earthquakes does not necessarily mean that it is also
vulnerable to typhoons. Again, hazards have different characteristics that influence the disasters that are likely
to generate.

FACTORS THAT ASSESS THE LEVEL OF VULNERABILITY OF AN AREA OR COMMUNITY.

These factors can affect one another or can lead to other factors.

1. Proximity to a hazard event. An earthquake, as an example, of a hazard, is more likely to happen in the
Philippines than in Brazil because the Philippines is situated along the pacific Ring of Fire where frequent
seismic activities occur. Hence, this fact already puts the Philippines in vulnerable situation for seismic-related
events. In the same manner, houses, buildings, and other structures become vulnerable to flooding if they are
built on floodplains.
2. Population density near a hazard event.
Population refers to the number of individuals inhabiting a particular space at the same time. Population
density refers to the number of individuals living in an area in relation to the size of that area. If all individuals
crowd in one portion of a place, there is little space and time to escape from hazard. For example, when the fire
(hazard) breaks out in a congested slum area, it spreads quickly and easily because of the lack of spacing in
between the houses. Thus, crowded communities have high vulnerability to hazard.
3. Capacity and efficiency to reduce disaster risk.
The capacity of a community to reduce disaster risk includes the accessibility and availability of services
and facilities that help in preparing for or during disasters. The availability of these resources would result in the
ability of a community to anticipate, adapt, and respond to the changes in socio-ecological and economic
impacts that are usually experienced after the disaster.
4. Building codes and disaster policies.
Buildings and other structures may increase disaster risk. In the design and construction of buildings,
possible hazards should be considered. Hazard –resistant structure can lower the vulnerability of a community
especially if the features or designs of the structure are hazard-specific.

CONCEPTS OF EXPOSURE

EXPOSURE – The elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event.(Geoscience

Australia) These elements include the individuals; households or communities;
properties; buildings and structures; agricultural commodities, livelihoods; and
public facilities, infrastructure, and environmental assets present in an area that
subject to potential losses. Generally, the more a community is exposed to
hazards factors, the higher the disaster risk.

Elements Exposed to Hazards

Generally, there are three main elements that are considered in the exposure of a community to a hazard
1. Physical elements – These elements that are tangible or it can be visually seen. Ex. Landscape, inhabitants,
buildings, and other structure that make up the environment. Some are measurable, such as population density.

2. Socioeconomic elements – These comprise the institutional and government system that dictate the kind of a
well-being and lifestyle of a communities. In general, socioeconomic elements refer to the manner of social
interactions and not the individuals or structures that are involved in the system. For example, socioeconomic
elements exposed to flooding and storm surge hazards include system of communication and transportation,
delivery of basic facilities, goods and services, network of market and trade, stability of fishing industries and
other livelihoods dependent on aquatic resources, and peace and order.

3. Environmental elements – These includes the ecosystems and the natural processes that are exposed to
hazard events. Organisms depend on the environment for survival. Human activities such as overgrazing,
deforestation, and exploitation of natural resources strip the environment of its natural abilities to protect itself
from any natural hazard.

What Have You Learn So Far?

THE RELATIONSHIP OF HAZARDS, EXPOSURE, AND VULNERABILITIES

Hazards are possible threats that may come unexpectedly or otherwise. A hazard can lead to a disaster in a
community if (a) the community is exposed to it and (b) the community’s circumstances or situation make it
vulnerable to the hazard These two determinants of disaster risk must be controlled in order to minimize or
prevent the disaster.

To illustrate the relationship of these concepts, let us take for example a coastal community that is frequent by
storms. This would probably mean that the community is located within the typhoon belt or that compared with
other communities, it receives more rain and typhoons in a year. If the community has high exposure to a
typhoon and is deemed to have high vulnerability to the same hazard, it is more likely to experience disaster.

Study the following table for some key question regarding the elements that are exposed to that hazard.

Physical Elements Socioeconomic Elements Environmental Elements

About how many people live Does the community interact Are the community members
in the community? with other communities? dependent solely on the
What bodies of water and/or How will this interaction be natural resources they get
landforms can be found near affected if a typhoon hits the from their surroundings?
the community? Are there community? What products What would happen to plants
structures (e.g., breakwater, and services may be affected? and animals when a typhoon
seawall) found in the What is the major livelihood destroys their habitats?
community that may collapse of the community? How will
or fall due to typhoon? this be affected?
 Given the coastal community’s high exposure to typhoons, let us now assess its level of vulnerability.

 Proximity of disaster: If the community is directly and frequently hit by typhoon, then its vulnerability
to disasters associated with them is high. The fact that the community is located in a coastal areas makes
vulnerable because it will experience two hazards: typhoon and storm surge.
 Population density: If the community has large number of populations in exposed areas, the impact of
the hazards will more severe. In a community with a large population size, most members would not be
well sheltered, making them become more vulnerable to hazard.
 Capacity and efficiency to minimize disaster risk: If the community does not have any community
disaster preparedness plans in place, it becomes more difficult to face the hazard without expecting any
disaster. Lack of knowledge and practice of disaster management is like going to a battle unarmed.
Hence, the community has a high vulnerability to disaster.
 Building codes and disaster policies: Houses built in coastal areas are usually made of light materials. If
a typhoon hits the community, a large number of houses may be unroofed. The location of the houses
and other structures in the community must also be considered.

Reference

De Duzman, F., Suarez, D. (2016) Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction: Exposure and Vulnerability. Vibal
Group Inc.

NOTE: Submit only the Daily Learning Activity Sheet (DLAS)

Prepared by:
Ms. Ma. Janice P. Garcia
Science Teacher
 Cainta Catholic College
Cainta, Rizal
DAILY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: ______________________________ Score: __________
Year & Section: ______________________ Date Accomplished: __________
Subject: ____________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian: ____________
Date Monitored: _____________

(Activity #6)
Activity Title: Hazard, Vulnerabilities and Exposure
Learning Target: Give an example of an actual situation that demonstrates vulnerabilities, exposure, and
hazard of a community.
Reference Title: Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Author: De Duzman, Suarez

MAIN IDEA
VULNERABILITY – the diminished capacity of an individual or group to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from
the impact of a natural or man-made hazard. (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
EXPOSURE – The elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event.(Geoscience Australia) These elements
include the individuals, households or communities, properties, buildings and structures, agricultural commodities,
livelihoods, and public facilities, infrastructure, and environmental assets present in an area that subject to potential
losses. Generally, the more a community is exposed to hazards factors, the higher the disaster risk.

EXERCISE
Direction: Differentiate hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities from one another by giving an example based on
an actual situation.
 Cainta Catholic College
Cainta, Rizal
DAILY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: ______________________________ Score: __________
Year & Section: ______________________ Date Accomplished: __________
Subject: ____________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian: ____________
Date Monitored: _____________

(Activity #7)
Activity Title: Hazard, Vulnerabilities and Exposure
Learning Target: Give an example of an actual situation that demonstrates vulnerabilities, exposure, and
hazard of a community.
Reference Title: Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Author: De Duzman, Suarez

MAIN IDEA
VULNERABILITY – the diminished capacity of an individual or group to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from
the impact of a natural or man-made hazard. (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
EXPOSURE – The elements at risk from a natural or man-made hazard event.(Geoscience Australia) These elements
include the individuals, households or communities, properties, buildings and structures, agricultural commodities,
livelihoods, and public facilities, infrastructure, and environmental assets present in an area that subject to potential
losses. Generally, the more a community is exposed to hazards factors, the higher the disaster risk.

EXERCISE

 Apply it in Real Life

The mayor would like to develop a remote area in your municipality. However, in that area, flooding
usually occurs after a prolonged rain. As an urban planner, what structures would you suggest to be put in that
area? Can schools and houses be constructed there? Indicate structures on the given layout plan and write notes
on the type of construction materials to be used, land modifications to be done, and other important
considerations you would like to have in minimizing the vulnerability of the area of flooding.

Remote Area
Note:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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 Cainta Catholic College
Cainta, Rizal
DAILY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: ______________________________ Score: __________
Year & Section: ______________________ Date Accomplished: __________
Subject: ____________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian: ____________
Date Monitored: _____________

(Activity #8)
Activity Title: Elements Exposed to Hazard
Learning Target: Recognize the vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to specific hazards.
Reference Title: Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Author: De Duzman, Suarez

MAIN IDEA
Study the following table for some key question regarding the elements that are exposed to hazard.

Physical Elements Socioeconomic Elements Environmental Elements

About how many people live Does the community interact Are the community members
in the community? with other communities? dependent solely on the
What bodies of water and/or How will this interaction be natural resources they get
landforms can be found near affected if a typhoon hits the from their surroundings?
the community? Are there community? What products What would happen to plants
structures (e.g. breakwater, and services may be affected? and animals when a typhoon
seawall) found in the What is the major livelihood destroy their habitats?
community that may collapse of the community? How will
or fall due to typhoon? this be affected?

EXERCISE
Direction: Identify all the possible elements exposed to the volcanic eruption of Mt. Mayon in Albay.
Hazard: Volcanic Eruption

Physical Elements Socioeconomic Elements Environmental Elements

 Cainta Catholic College
Cainta, Rizal
Preliminary Examination in DRRR
Name: ______________________________ Score: __________
Year & Section: ______________________ Date Accomplished: __________
Subject: ____________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian: ____________
Date Monitored: _____________

Self-Check
I.

1. Define and explain the following concepts: (2 points each)

a. Disaster

b. Disaster Risk

c. Hazard

2. Explain the following briefly. (3 points each)

a. When is a situation considered a disaster? Give an example.

b. How do disasters affect people and the environment?

c. What are the benefits and harmful effects of disaster?

II. Indicate on the space provided for answer A whether each of the following items is a hazard or a
disaster. For answer in B, choose whether it is hydrological, geological, biological, or man-made.
(20 points)

1. A super typhoon with storm surge affecting Leyte.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
2. A typhoon passing over a remote and unpopulated island.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
3. A flood in a rural area which floods the roads but does not affect any houses.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
4. A volcano erupting in isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
5. A pandemic, covid-19 around the world.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________

6. A tsunami wave 5 m high off the coast of Japan.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
7. An intensity 7 earthquake in Bohol.

A. ___________________ B. ______________________
8. A drought in Negros Occidental.

A. ____________________ B. _____________________
9. A landslide in Payatas (slum areas in Quezon City).

A. ____________________ B. _____________________

10. A chemical spill in Guimaras.

A _____________________ B ______________________

III. Answer this question:

1. What are the effects of drought in terms of severity? Identify all three types of effects.

a. Primary Effect
b. Secondary Effect

c. Tertiary Effect

2. Choose one example of hazard (natural or man-made) and make a profile of that hazard using the
following ways:

Hazard: ____________

a. Magnitude or Strength of the Event: ________________

b. Frequency: ______________

c. Duration: ________________

d. Casualty of effects: ______________