p6 Flashcards
Hazard
‘A perceived natural/geophysical event that has the potential to threaten both life and property’ – Whittow.
Disaster
The realisation of a hazard, when it ‘causes a significant impact on vulnerable population’ (Degg).
The Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) states that a hazard becomes as disaster when:
- 10 or more people are killed and/or
- 100 or more people are affected
Hazard vs Disaster
The Hazard-Risk Formula
The level of risk depends on a combination of factors:
- Some directly linked to the hazard itself e.g.magnitude,
duration and time of day. - Human factors–which determine vulnerability and
capacity to cope.
Resilience:
The ability to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from destruction, and to restore areas after a natural hazard has occurred.
factors that determine vulnerability and resilience
Social
Human Factors
Communities with poor health care - These communities suffer more disease and are less able to cope with and recover from a hazard such as a flood.
The quality of communication systems- Affects the ability to inform people of a hazard in advance, and to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts.
Rapid urbanisation creates a need for more housing- A increase in demand for housing means houses are built quickly which means that the quality is poor.
Failure of Development
Less-developed countries are generally more vulnerable to hazard events because they tend to have other, more pressing problems (such as poverty and disease), which means that they spend less money on disaster preparation.
‘Disasters do not just happen – they result from failures of development, which increase vulnerability and resilience’.
Age and Resilience
Age is a significant factor in people’s resilience, with children and the elderly likely to suffer much more from a range of hazards.
Around 66% of the world’s population aged over 60 live in less- developed regions. By 2050, this is expected to rise to 79%
Age and Resilience Myanmar
Japan
Hazard and Exposure Score
Myanmar has a significantly high natural hazard component due to the potential for tsunami and earthquakes ( as well as floods and storms).
Japan is subject to a range of natural hazards and is highly exposed
Age and Resilience Myanmar
Japan Vulnerability
Moderate risk though a relatively low score – there have been few natural shocks in recent years.
Vulnerability is high compared to other wealthy nations due to the ageing population, but it is still low risk.
Age and Resilience Myanmar
Japan
Coping capacity
Poor coping capacity; low level of internet/mobile phone access for older people; education is poor.
Coping capacity is good; the elderly tend to be educated, have high internet connectivity, effective government and low gender inequality.
age and Resilience Myanmar
Japan
Overall risk
Myanmar is ranked 7th out 190 nations, which means that the disaster risk to elderly citizens is very high.
Although Japan is highly exposed to hazards, it is ranked 133rd out of 190 nations thanks to its strong coping capacity and lower levels of vulnerability.
Pressure and Release Model (PAR)
In order to protect people from a hazard event, governments and organisations must first understand how vulnerable a country is – and why.
The PAR model is a common tool used to work this out and looks at the underlying causes of a disaster.
It’s based on the idea that a disaster happens when two opposing forces interact: on one side are the processes that create vulnerability and on the other, the hazard itself.
Pressure and Release Model (PAR) Progression of Vulnerability
