Pt9. 'Physical vulnerability'

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Vulnerability to Specific Hazards

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;
•lack of public information and awareness; •limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and
•disregard for wise environmental management. (ADPC, 2012)

ADPC further emphasized that Vulnerability varies significantly within ) community and over time. This definition identifies vulnerability as a characteris of the element of interest (community, system or asset) which is independent of exposure. However, in common use, the word is often used more broadly to inclu the element's exposure.

According to the UNISDR, there are four (4) 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 and for housing United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).

Example: Wooden homes are less likely to collapse in an earthquake, bu are more vulnerable to fire. Houses built with light materials may not be a problem during an earthquake, but may be totally damaged by a super typhoon.

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. 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 (UNISDR

Example: When flooding occurs some citizens, such as children, elderly and persons with disability (PWD's), may be unable to protect themselves or evacuate if necessary. Educated and well-informed are more likely to survive when disaster strikes. There would be lesser casualty in communities with emergency plans backed up by emergency personnel as compared to those without.

3. Economic vulnerability - The level of vulnerability is highly dependent upon the economic status of individuals, communities and nations. 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 by disasters. The same people are the least prepared due to lack of access to education and information.

Example: Poorer families may live in squatter settlements because they cannot afford to live in safer (more expensive) areas. In Metro Manila the so-called "urban poor" build their shanties or improvised houses along river banks and esteros, making them prone to flash floods. Light materials that build their homes make them exposed to fire hazards as well.

4. Environmental vulnerability. Natural resource depletion and resource degradation are key aspects of environmental vulnerability. This is one aspect that both communities and government must be sensitive about. Mitigation measures like reforestation and natural resource protection and conservation must be undertaken to reduce natural disaster risk and vulnerability.

Example: Wetlands, such as Agusan Marsh, are sensitive to increasing salinity from sea water, and pollution from storm water runoff containing agricultural chemicals, eroded soils, etc. Deforestation of mountains due to illegal logging is the main cause of landslides and mudflows like what happened in Ormoc, Leyte (1994) and in Infanta, Quezon (2011).