Human factors affecting risk and vulnerability

Question 1

What are risks

Answer 1

Risk is the probability if a hazard occurring and causes of loss of life and livelihoods

Question 2

What is vulnerability

Answer 2

Refers to the ability of a community to cope with the impacts of a hazard

Question 3

What is a hazard

Answer 3

A natural event that threatens or causes injury, death and/or damage

Question 4

What is a disaster

Answer 4

The result of a hazard seriously disrupting the functioning of a vulnerable community, causing loss of life and material and economic damage

Question 5

What economic factors affect risk and hazard

Answer 5

The level of poverty- increases vulnerability
- lack of education around serious risk and hazard perception
- Poor building standards
- Poor technology can’t predict tectonic events
Wealthy country have opposite= less impact
Wealthy people can afford to travel away from affected zones
Reliance on tech- more developed more reliance- more affected if the impact is on tech

Question 6

What social factors affect risk and hazard

Answer 6

• Greater population density- greater risk
• Young and elderly less active- more susceptible to disease
• Perception of hazard- false alarms less likely to react to
  warnings

Question 7

What political factors can increase the risk and hazard of a tectonic event

Answer 7

Poor quality governments pay less attention and have less enforceable laws of building codes e.g. less safe buildings

Question 8

What geographical factors increase risk and hazard

Answer 8

Urban areas-greater population density- greater risk
Rural areas- less available emergency services (Nepal Earthquake- Hillside population cant receive emergency service)
Areas affected by other natural effects( 1991 philliphens earthquake exacerbated by typhoon Yunya