scholarly journals Development of Vulnerability Assessment Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction at Three Levels of Geopolitical Units in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8815
Author(s):  
Rex Aurelius C. Robielos ◽  
Chiuhsiang Joe Lin ◽  
Delia B. Senoro ◽  
Froilan P. Ney

This study developed a comprehensive framework for vulnerability assessment as a tool to measure vulnerability at three levels of geopolitical units in the Philippines. This is a comprehensive multi-disaster framework that can provide information to a decentralized type of government system like the Philippines. The vulnerability assessment framework (VAF) that has been developed was anchored upon the IPCC model and used the integration of community-based monitoring system (CBMS) data, expert inputs, and a series of community-based activities such as consultative fora, focus group discussions, workshops, and risk reduction immersion activities. The developed VAF for the assessment of vulnerability indices (VIs) is a system framework composed of a vulnerability scoping diagram (VSD) and an expanded vulnerability assessment model (VAM). The VSD is composed of three dimensions (e.g., exposure, sensitivity, resiliency), seven identified hazards, with 26, 27, and 29 sub-indicators for household, barangay, and municipal levels, respectively. Measuring vulnerability can be an effective strategy for assessing the potential impact/s of natural disasters on society. The continuous occurrence of natural disasters in the Philippines requires enhancement of public understanding of vulnerability. This would provide transparent understanding and enhance community competency leading to the development of methodologies and tools to assess various factors and indicators of vulnerability. The information extracted from using the VAF and VSD are helpful to the local government units, especially in preparing budgets, strategies, and programs for disaster risk reduction.

Author(s):  
Kanako Iuchi ◽  
Yasuhito Jibiki ◽  
Renato Solidum ◽  
Ramon Santiago

Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt, the Philippines is one of the most hazard prone countries in the world. The country faces different types of natural hazards including geophysical disturbances such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, meteorological and hydrological events such as typhoons and floods, and slow-onset disasters such as droughts. Together with rapidly increasing population growth and urbanization, large-scale natural phenomena have resulted in unprecedented scales of devastation. In the early 21st century alone, the country experienced some of the most destructive and costliest disasters in its history including Typhoon Yolanda (2013), Typhoon Pablo (2012), and the Bohol Earthquake (2013). Recurrent natural disasters have prompted the Philippine government to develop disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) strategies to better prepare, respond, and recover, as well as to be more resilient in the face of natural disasters. Since the early 1940s, the governing structure has undergone several revisions through legal and institutional arrangements. Historical natural disasters and seismic risks have affected and continue to threaten the National Capital Region (NCR) and the surrounding administrative areas; these were key factors in advancing DRRM laws and regulations, as well as in restructuring its governing bodies. The current DRRM structure was instituted under Republic Act no. 10121 (RA10121) in 2010 and was implemented to shift from responsive to proactive governance by better engaging local governments (LGUs), communities, and the private sector to reduce long-term disaster risk. This Republic Act established a national disaster risk reduction and management council (NDRRMC) to develop strategies that manage and reduce risk. Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 was the most significant test of this revised governance structure and related strategies. The typhoon revealed drawbacks of the current council-led governing structure to advancing resilience. Salient topics include how to respond better to disaster realities, how to efficiently coordinate among relevant agencies, and how to be more inclusive of relevant actors. Together with other issues, such as the way to co-exist with climate change efforts, a thorough examination of RA 10121 by the national government and advocates for DRRM is underway. Some of the most important discourse to date focuses on ways to institute a powerful governing body that enables more efficient DRRM with administrative and financial power. The hope is that by instituting a governing system that can thoroughly lead all phases of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, the country can withstand future—and likely more frequent—mega-disasters.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udayangani Kulatunga

Number of natural disasters has risen sharply worldwide making the risk of disasters a global concern. These disasters have created significant losses and damages to humans, economy and society. Despite the losses and damages created by disasters, some individuals and communities do not attach much significance to natural disasters. Risk perception towards a disaster not only depends on the danger it could create but also the behaviour of the communities and individuals that is governed by their culture. Within this context, this study examines the relationship between culture and disaster risk reduction (DRR ). A comprehensive literature review is used for the study to evaluate culture, its components and to analyse a series of case studies related to disaster risk. It was evident from the study that in some situations, culture has become a factor for the survival of the communities from disasters where as in some situations culture has acted as a barrier for effective DRR activities. The study suggests community based DRR activities as a mechanism to integrate with culture to effectively manage disaster risk. Santruka Pasaulyje gerokai padaugejo stichiniu nelaimiu, taigi ju keliama rizika jaudina visa pasauli. Del tokiu nelaimiu daug nuostoliu ir žalos patiria žmones, ekonomika ir visuomene. Nepaisant nuostoliu ir žalos, kuria atneša nelaimes, kai kurie individai ir bendruomenes stichinems nelaimems neteike daug reikšmes. Iš nelaimes kylančios rizikos suvokimas priklauso ne tik nuo pavojaus, kuri tokia nelaime gali sukelti, bet ir nuo bendruomeniu bei individu elgsenos, kuria lemia ju kultūra. Atsižvelgiant i ši konteksta, darbe nagrinejamas ryšys tarp kultūros ir nelaimiu keliamos rizikos mažinimo. Siekiant ivertinti kultūra ir jos komponentus, išanalizuoti keli su nelaimiu rizika susije atvejai, tyrime plačiai apžvelgiama literatūra. Iš tyrimo paaiškejo, kad kai kuriais atvejais kultūra per nelaimes leme bendruomeniu išlikima, o kitais atvejais trukde efektyviam nelaimiu keliamos rizikos mažinimui. Tyrime bendruomeniu vykdoma nelaimiu keliamos rizikos mažinimo veikla siūloma kaip mechanizmas, leidžiantis integruojant kultūra efektyviai valdyti nelaimiu keliama rizika.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-132
Author(s):  
Sajjad Hussain ◽  
Saira Miraj ◽  
Rani Saddique

Pakistan is exposed to various natural calamities due to its geophysical condition and climatic changes. In addition, man-made disasters also pose a threat to human lives and properties which includes industrial and transport disasters including oil spills, civil unrest, wars and conflicts. Although it is not possible to stop or prevent natural disasters, but the negative impacts of natural disasters can be minimized through human efforts. The government of Pakistan has adopted participatory approach as part of its policy for disaster management. This research paper is based on the analysis of secondary data for reviewing the existing policies with emphasis on disaster risk reduction in pre and post disaster period. The paper concludes that participation of target community is indispensable for disaster risk reduction on sustainable basis. The article suggests that community should be meaningfully involved in disaster risk reduction efforts at the local level. In this connection the role of social workers is indispensable for disaster risk reduction on sustainable basis.


Author(s):  
Eric K. Noji ◽  
Anas A. Khan

The complex and multifaceted nature of health risks secondary to natural disasters will require innovative, holistic, and problem-oriented approaches to risk and disaster management. The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 (HFA), the goal of which is to strengthen the resilience of nations and communities to natural disasters, is the inspiration for much of the current knowledge, practice, implementation, experience, and the science for natural disaster risk reduction. Natural disaster risk reduction offers a comprehensive framework where stakeholders can take coherent and complementary actions through political, social, technological, economic, and humanitarian processes to build resilience. The aim of the recent Hyogo initiative is to globally increase resilience and reduce vulnerability. This chapter will describe the current state of knowledge of the health consequences of natural disasters, the implications of these consequences for policy, and conclude with recommendations for action.


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