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21 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Vulnerability
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The susceptibility of a community to a hazard or the impacts of a hazard event.
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Risk
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The probability of a hazard event causing harmful consequences (expected losses in terms of deaths, injuries, property damage, economy and environment).
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Events/Effect Order
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Primary - directly caused by hazard
Secondary - indirectly caused by hazard, happens later Tertiary - a third stage to effects e.g. Fukushima nuclear leaks |
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Factors Influencing Vulnerability (11)
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1) Population density
2) Understanding of the area 3) Public education 4) Awareness of hazard 5) Existence of early warning systems 6) Effectiveness of lines of communication 7) Availability and readiness of emergency personnel 8) Insurance cover 9) Construction style and building codes 10) Nature of society 11) Cultural factors |
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Population Density
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
Many rapidly growing cities are in hazardous areas
Higher density = higher risk e.g. New Orleans |
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Understanding of the Area
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- recent migrants
- awareness of evacuation routes - safe havens - shelters |
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Public education
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- public education & information channels (higher = less risk)
- Education programmes -> how to act in an emergency - Media procedures |
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Awareness of hazards
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
the greater the awareness -> less risk
2004 South Asia Tsunami has increased awareness of tsunamis and their risks |
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The existence of early warning systems
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- the existence of early warning systems decreases risk
- ability to warn population to evacuate e.g. improvements around the Indian Ocean rim |
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Effectiveness of lines of communication
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
Higher = better chance of recovery and rescue
- Ability to get help - improved coordination of rescue missions - improved evacuation control - Poor areas -> less available = greater risk |
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Availability and readiness of emergency personnel
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
e.g. FEMA improved between Katrina and Sandy
e.g. many deaths following Cyclone Nargis due to shortage of trained personnel |
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Insurance Cover
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- High income groups are generally better prepared and covered by insurance for any losses than low income groups
- Financial losses will be higher for the high income groups than for low income groups |
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Construction styles and building codes
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- informal housing = more at risk
- MEDC's often better designs = less risk - Materials used and architecture used to reinforce buildings e.g. foundations on springs, timber frames, design |
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Nature of society
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- mentality towards risk
- willingness to accept help e.g. Burmese government refusing help after Cyclone Nargis |
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Cultural factors
(Factors Influencing Vulnerability) |
- religion
- trust in government - extent and success of social networks - amount of control or autonomy a community feels it has - the perceived hazard level |
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Progression of Vulnerability |
- Root causes - Dynamic pressures - Unsafe conditions - Disaster - Hazards |
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Root Cause (Progression of Vulnerability) |
Limited access to: - power - structures - resources Ideologies: - Political systems - Economic systems |
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Dynamic pressures (Progression of Vulnerability) |
Lack of: - local institutions - training - appropriate skills - local investments - local markets - press freedom - ethical standards in public life Macro-forces: - rapid population growth - rapid urbanization - arms expenditure - debt repayment schedules - deforestation - decline in soil productivity |
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Unsafe conditions (Progression of Vulnerability) |
Fragile physical environment: - dangerous locations - unprotected buildings & infrastructure Fragile local economy: - livelihood at risk - low income levels Vulnerable society: - special groups at risk - lack of local institutions Public actions: - lack of disaster preparedness - prevalence of endemic disease |
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Disaster (Progression of Vulnerability) |
Risk = Hazard + Vulnerability R = H + V |
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Hazards (Progression of Vulnerability) |
- Earthquakes - High winds (cyclone / hurricane / typhoon) - Flooding - Volcanic eruption - Landslide - Drought - Virus & pests |
