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Disaster
Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 4
Recognizing Vulnerability of
Exposed Elements

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Recognizing Vulnerability of Exposed Elements
First Edition, 2020

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respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Authors: Louise A. Ferrer, Mark Anthony C. Mamon, Emerina Clarisse R. Bernante,
Cheryl A. Retio
Editor: Ma. Lanie A. Socorro, Ed.D.
Reviewers: Raquel M. Austero, Ph.D.
Illustrator: Mark Anthony C. Mamon
Layout Artist: Louise A. Ferrer
Management Team: Malcolm S. Garma, Director IV
Genia V. Santos, CLMD Chief
Dennis M. Mendoza, Regional EPS In-Charge of LRMS
Micah S. Pacheco, Regional ADM Coordinator
Violeta M. Gonzales, CID Chief
Jennifer L. Tubello, Division EPS In-Charge of LRMS &
Division ADM Coordinator

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – National Capital Region

Office Address: Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City

____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Telefax: 02-929-0153
____________________________________________
E-mail Address: ____________________________________________
depedncr@deped.gov.ph
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Disaster
Readiness and
Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 4
Recognizing Vulnerability of
Exposed Elements

This instructional material was collaboratively developed and reviewed

by educators from public and private schools, colleges, and or/universities. We
encourage teachers and other education stakeholders to email their feedback,
comments, and recommendations to the Department of Education at
action@deped.gov.ph.

We value your feedback and recommendations.

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

This module adheres to the learning competencies of the K-12 Curriculum. This module
helps the learners understand the vulnerability of exposed elements based on the
principles and guidelines of disaster risk reduction and management. This module is
a useful learning material that provides the learning objectives, pretest, lesson proper,
enrichment activities, generalization, application, assessment and additional activities.

For the learner:

This module is created to give meaningful learning on exposure and vulnerability

through clear and comprehensive discussions about the concepts and through
engaging and relevant activities. This module also allows the learners to reflect and
apply disaster risk reduction and management in everyday life.

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. You will never know
when a disaster will strike. This module is here to help you understand the basic
concept of Recognizing the Vulnerability of Exposed Elements. This module will help
you understand the relation of hazard, exposure and vulnerability to disaster risk. It
aims to equip you through discussions and activities that will help you learn the
concepts, terminologies, ideas, and relevant information about the lesson.

The module is all about Recognizing Vulnerability of Exposed Elements, as

well as the understanding of their relation to disaster risk.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Recognize vulnerabilities of different elements exposed to specific hazards.

2. Differentiate among hazards, exposure, and vulnerabilities and explain the
relationship of the three to disaster risk.

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 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. Disaster risk is a function of ______.

A. Capacity and hazard.
B. Vulnerability and exposure.
C. Hazard, exposure and vulnerability.
D. Hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity.

2. Which of the following is a mitigation measure for rainfall-induced landslide?

A. Follow evacuation procedures.
B. Conduct tree planting programs.
C. Relocate communities to safer places.
D. Commercialize forests and mountainous areas.

3. Which of the following shows vulnerable societal elements?

A. Anxiety level and mental instability.
B. Electrical and communication lines.
C. Low sales and business production.
D. Low quality materials in building roads.

4. Which of the following can completely avoid a hazard or exposure to its effects?
A. Adaptation C. Prevention
B. Mitigation D. Vulnerability

5. Which of the following shows vulnerable physical elements?

A. Residences near a fault line C. Business closure
B. Persons with disability D. Low food supply

6. Which of the following shows vulnerable environmental elements?

A. Land area B. Raw materials
C. Senior citizens D. Business operations

7. Which of the following has low vulnerability to fire hazard?

A. Pregnant women C. Densely populated areas
B. Establishments D. Price of commodities

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8. Which of the following has low vulnerability to hazards?
A. Tourism activities C. Insurance companies
B. Public transport system D. Health services

9. How can you lessen disaster risk?

A. Reduce capacity C. Increase exposure
B. Increase hazard D. Decrease vulnerability

10. Which of the following practices can reduce exposure?

A. Install warning devices.
B. Predict occurrence of disaster.
C. Provide disaster training to all populations.
D. None of the above.

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 Lesson
Recognizing Vulnerability
4 of Exposed Elements

Like any other country in the world, the Philippines is prone to disasters. The
severity of these events, whether natural or man-made, such as fire, earthquake,
typhoon, landslide and many others, cannot be controlled. However, we can't just
stay calm and let these disasters get ahead of us. The possible harm brought about
by these disasters can be prevented or reduced through proper assessment and
evaluation. It is necessary to anticipate these disasters and plan ahead about what
should be done in order to promote public safety and minimize losses.

What’s In

In the last module, you learned about exposed elements and dimensions of
vulnerability. Vulnerability may vary across various sectors of society. Can you
identify sectors that are more vulnerable than others? What should be done to reduce
their vulnerability?

Notes to the Teacher

Provide exercises with a variety of disaster scenarios to
students. This would allow them to be critical thinkers as they
evaluate the possible disasters that they could face.
Encourage students to be responsible members of their
community and the society. Remind them that disaster prevention
will be more effective if everyone will take part in it.

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 What’s New

Activity 1. Danger! Beware!

Complete Table 1 by identifying the possible disasters your household or
community can be exposed to and the reasons for its exposure. You can use a
separate sheet.

Table 1: Household or Community Exposure to Possible Disasters

Name of Community: ______________________________

Put a (/) or an
(X) mark if
your
Possible household or Reasons why your household or community
Disasters community is is in danger of the possible disaster
exposed to
the possible
disaster
1. Earthquake
2. Flood
3. Landslide
4. Fire
5. Tsunami
6. Volcanic
Eruption
7. Disease
Outbreak
8. Storm Surge
9. Sinkhole
10. Water
Pollution

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Answer the following questions:

1. What are the things you considered for you to determine if your household or
community is exposed to the possible disasters listed in the table?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Why do you need to assess if your household or community is in danger or

exposed to the possible disasters mentioned in the table?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

What is It

Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability and Disaster Risk

Hazard is a natural or man-made process, event or activity that that may
cause loss of life, injury, property damage, disruption of livelihood or environmental
disturbance and destruction. A hazard is characterized by its location, intensity,
frequency, and likelihood of occurrence. It poses as a threat because it is a disaster
with a high probability of happening. Hazard assessment can provide information on
what could happen and when it could happen.

Exposure refers to the situation of anything located in an area that is prone

to hazard. Anything that is exposed to a possible hazard is considered an element
at risk. It can be tangible or intangible such as infrastructures, population of
different members of society, business activities or the environment itself.

Vulnerability is the susceptibility of a person, community, asset or system to

the impacts of hazards. An exposed element can have high or low vulnerability,
depending on physical, social, economic, and environmental factors and processes.

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 Disaster risk is the possible death, injury or destruction to property that
could happen to a community or system in any time period, predicted in
consideration of hazard, exposure of elements at risk and vulnerability. Variations
in hazard, exposure and vulnerability determine disaster risk. It can be illustrated
in the equation below:

Disaster Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability x Exposure

Reduction of any factor, whether occurrence of hazard, vulnerability of

exposed elements, or number and types of elements at risk, will also lessen disaster
risk. If the hazard does not occur, there is no risk. Similarly, if there are no exposed
elements, or the exposed elements have low vulnerability, there is no or low disaster
risk. In order to reduce disaster risk, a community should address and prioritize the
safety of exposed elements with high vulnerability. This can be done by recognizing
vulnerability of exposed elements and employing prevention, mitigation and
adaptation measures.

Recognizing Vulnerability
Exposed elements may be tangible or intangible and can be classified as
physical, societal, economic or environmental elements. Recognizing vulnerability is
the same as identifying the weakness of exposed elements.

1. Physical Elements
- Poorly planned and constructed infrastructures such as roads and bridges.
- Establishments such as schools, hospitals, office buildings, residential
houses made of substandard materials.
- Faulty wiring, gas and water leaks

2. Societal Elements
- Inadequate knowledge and lack of training of people on disaster
preparedness
- Population of vulnerable age groups (children and the elderly), persons
with disability (PWD), homeless, urban poor etc.
- Lack of insurance or social protection

3. Economic Elements
- Unsustainable livelihood or business
- Poor accessibility to work
- Ban on tourism activities
- Unstable price of raw building materials

4. Environmental Elements
- Possible leakage of harmful substances to the environment
- Introduction of invasive species
- Habitat destruction

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Vulnerability Monitoring and Assessment
There are categories and associated data that can be used to recognize
vulnerability. These vulnerability categories are the following:

1. Populations of Concerns
This refers to the populations who need more intervention, most
especially during and after the disaster. They are the persons with disability,
children and elderly, pregnant women, and population in poverty. They should
be prioritized because they are the ones with the least capability to deal with
the effects of disaster themselves.
Population growth and its distribution may also affect vulnerability as
some areas may be densely populated and have limited escape routes.

2. Gender Concerns
Gender-based differences relative to accessibility of opportunities,
services, resources, and positions in economic and political structures should
be considered when disaster strikes. This may include population of single
parents, ratio of female to male labor participation and gender representation
in government institutions. To reduce the impacts in this aspect,
opportunities should be provided to make their needs accessible.

3. Health Outcomes
This refers to the population’s status of general health. This includes
data on mortality rate, recovery rate, mental health stability of certain
population, etc.

4. Health Services
This refers to the capacity and availability of healthcare including
medical doctors, nurses, other medical personnel, medical facilities and
equipment. It includes the population of medical personnel per city or
province, as well as the capacity of hospitals (especially government hospitals)
to accept patients.

5. Water and Sanitation

This refers to the general state and quality of potable water, and the
state of sewage disposal. People should have access to potable water and be
informed about schedules of service maintenance for them to be able to
prepare. Alternative sources of water can also be considered for the vulnerable
areas.

6. Education
The access to formal and non-formal educational system should be
addressed accordingly. This includes the enrollment rate, capability of
learners to sustain education whether online or face to face, availability of
learning materials, classrooms, etc.

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 7. Communication
This refers to the availability of and access to communication facilities.
It includes available network providers, functionality of communication lines,
etc.

8. Transportation
The availability of and access to transportation networks and facilities
includes traffic density in roads and highways, distance of airports and
seaports, accessibility of travel within and across areas, etc.

9. Environmental Pressures
This refers to the changes in the environment due to human activities.
Associated data include decrease in forest area, conversion of forests to
agricultural lands, etc.

Reducing Disaster Risk

1. Prevention - aims to completely avoid or eliminate the hazard or the exposure
to its effects. Some examples include immunization to eliminate possible cases
of disease, ordinances that prohibit human or business settlement in
dangerous areas, and construction of dams along major rivers to control flood.

2. Mitigation – aims to reduce, lessen and limit the hazard or the exposure to
its effects through external intervention methods. As there are instances
where exposed elements cannot be removed, mitigation measures are carried
out to make them less vulnerable. Some examples include putting up of flood
walls or barriers, reforestation along steep slopes, and construction of
retaining walls in the mountain side.

3. Adaptation – also aims to reduce, lessen and limit the hazard or the exposure
to its effects. Unlike mitigation measures, adaptation is more inclined to
changes in human behavior to reduce exposure and vulnerability. Examples
include avoiding octopus connection for electrical devices, and practicing
cough etiquette to prevent spread of disease.

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 What’s More

Activity 2. Exposed: Be Cautious!

Read the scenario below and complete Table 2 by writing down the possible
(hypothetical) elements at risk in the urban city during the occurrence of disasters
listed in the first column. You can use separate sheets.

Scenario:

An urban city has an inhabitant population of approximately 250,000 people.

The city is 50% residential area, and 50% business and industrial area. The city has
numerous high-rise buildings, big factories and industrial plants, skyways, bridges,
railways, subways, an airport and a harbor. The urban city is surrounded by the
ocean on its west side. The residential area is in close proximity to the business and
industrial areas. There are five elementary schools, four secondary schools, and two
universities. There are also three government hospitals, and 21 health centers. The
city also has five churches, four malls, two recreational parks, and two public
cemeteries. The urban city also has a nuclear power plant, coal-fired power plant,
dam, and three telecommunication towers. The city also has a zoo and an
oceanarium.

Analyze the given situation above to determine the POSSIBLE elements at risk
during the disasters listed on the table below.

Table 2. Elements at Risk in the Urban City

Disaster Physical Societal Economic Environmental

Elements Elements Elements Elements
1. A super
typhoon

2. A 7.5
magnitude
earthquake
3. Flooding

4. Fire

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Answer the following questions:
1. Why do you need to determine the elements at risk in a disastrous event?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. How did you assess the possible elements at risk in a calamity?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Activity 3. Level of Vulnerability

Choose a sample hazard for this activity. It can be earthquake, fire, or any
disaster. Complete Table 3 by assessing the level of vulnerability of your community
in terms of asset category during a disaster, and the reasons why you gave such level
of vulnerability. You can use separate sheets.

Table 3. Level of Vulnerability

Name of community (barangay, city or province): ______________________________
Sample hazard: ____________________
Level of
Vulnerability
Possible Reasons for the
Asset Category during a Disaster
Level of Vulnerability
(LOW, MODERATE,
HIGH)
Example: A disaster can destroy 90% of
Agriculture the province, which is
HIGH
(Sample hazard is composed of agricultural
flooding) lands of rice and corn
1. Population
2. Health Facilities
3. Education and Literacy
4. Government Facilities
5. Transportation
6. Water and Sanitation
7. Communication
8. Emergency personnel
and Services: rescuers,
PNP, BFP, etc.
9. Food resources
10. Security

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Answer the following questions:

1. Why do you need to determine the level of vulnerability of your community,

city, or province?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. How did you assess the level of vulnerability of your community, city, or
province?

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. What should be done in order to increase your community’s capacity to

reduce the vulnerability of an asset category? Explain using two sample
asset categories from Table 3.

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

1. Disaster risk is the possible death, injury or destruction to property that could
happen to a community or system in any time period, predicted in
consideration of hazard, exposure of elements at risk, vulnerability and
capacity.
2. Variations in hazard, exposure and vulnerability determine disaster risk.
3. Recognizing vulnerability is necessary to plan out prevention, mitigation and
adaptation measures that can reduce disaster risk.
4. Vulnerability categories for monitoring and assessment include the population
of concerns, gender concerns, health outcomes and services, water and
sanitation, education, communication, transportation, and environmental
pressures.

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 What I Can Do

Climate change affects all organisms and the environment all over the world.
Its impacts are likely to worsen in the future. What are the prevention, mitigation
and adaptation strategies that you can do to address it?

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following can reduce a hazard or exposure to its effects?

A. Prevention and Mitigation C. Prevention only
B. Adaptation and Mitigation D. Mitigation only

2. Which of the following has low vulnerability to armed conflict?

A. Children C. Business operations
B. Endangered species D. Safety and security

3. Which of the following shows vulnerable physical elements to fire?

A. Tourism activities C. Livelihood and business
B. Ethnic minority groups D. Residential establishments

4. Which of the following can increase vulnerability of persons with disability?

A. Limited escape routes C. Variety of learning modes
B. Lack of communication lines D. Complete medical facilities

5. Which of the following is included in vulnerability monitoring and

assessment?
A. Availability of healthcare C. Water quality
B. Power source D. All of the above

6. Which of the following may decrease vulnerability of environmental elements?

A. Tourism ban C. Poverty
B. Protection laws D. Alternative water sources

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 7. How can you reduce vulnerability?
A. Increase exposure C. Decrease vulnerability
B. Increase hazard D. Decrease hazard

8. Which of the following can decrease disaster risk to fire?

A. Use light-weight construction materials.
B. Skip issuance of building permits.
C. Remove vulnerable populations.
D. Install warning devices.

9. Which of the following includes changes in human behavior to reduce hazard

or the exposure to its effects?
A. Adaptation C. Prevention
B. Mitigation D. Vulnerability

10. Which of the following is a prevention practice for fire?

A. Monitor the use of flammable materials.
B. Do not use flammable materials.
C. Install warning device.
D. None of the above

Additional Activities

Examine the disaster risk of your home to a specific hazard. Specify one (1)
hazard and identify the exposed elements, level of vulnerability and measures that
you can do to reduce risk.

Hazard: _____________________________

Level of
Exposure Prevention, Mitigation
Vulnerability Reason for
(Elements at or Adaptation Measures
(Low, Medium, Vulnerability
Risk) to Reduce Risk
High)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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References

Commission on Higher Education. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School:
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction.

Department of Education. 2008. Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual (Safer

Schools Resource Manual. Retrieved from http://psba.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2018/07/Disaster-Risk-Reduction-Resource-Manual-
2008.pdf
Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources. 2017. Disaster Readiness
and Risk Reduction - Reader. Pasig City.
Parena Jr., J.S., & Ramos, J.D.A. 2016. Exploring Life through Science Series:
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc.
Quebral, V.S. 2016. Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction. Cubao, Quezon City:
Lorimar Publishing, Inc.
United States Agency for International Development (n.d.). ASEAN Regional Risk and
Vulnerability Assessment Guidelines. Retrieved from https://asean.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/ASEAN-Regional-RVA-Guidelines-final.pdf
United States Agency for International Development. 2011. Introduction to Disaster
Risk Reduction. Retrieved from
https://www.preventionweb.net/files/26081_kp1concepdisasterrisk1.pdf

Websites:

 https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology
 http://www.adpc.net/casita/course-materials/Mod-3-Vul-Risk.pdf
 http://drm.cenn.org/training_materials/Session%2004%20Elements%20at%2
0risk.pdf
 https://www.preventionweb.net/risk
 https://postconflict.unep.ch/download/26_april/UNEP_ISDR_Environment_a
nd_Vulnerability.pdf
 http://adpc.net/CASITA/Bangkok-
workshop/Day%202/Introduction_to_Hazard_Vulnerability_and_Risk.pdf
 http://www.odpm.gov.tt/node/32

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – (Bureau/Office)

(Office Address)

Telefax:

Email Address:

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