PRE-DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT (PDRA)
The Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) is a process to evaluate a given hazard’s characteristics and its possible impacts to the populace. It further determines the appropriate level of response and corresponding actions from concerned agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders. To further understand PDRA as a tool in enhancing the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) system of the Philippines, the first step is to expound on defining the concept PDRA using the framework below.
Preparedness
Response
4 THEMATIC AREAS Prevention and Mitigation
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Figure 1. PDRA Framework
Illustrated above is the framework of PDRA. At the core of the framework is the four thematic areas of the DRRM System, to wit: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery. Outside this core are two sets of arrows. The inner most set rotates in a clockwise manner. Conversely, the outer set of arrow rotates counter-clockwise. Whereas the former represents the conventional DRRM approach, the latter – which signals the beginning of the PDRA proper – represents a “Way Forward Thinking” in DRRM strategy.
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The starting point of the diagram is the inner set of arrows rotating clockwise – in particular Prevention and Mitigation. After the Preparedness, a star is illustrated which represents the Disaster. Defined by RA 10121 as “ a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources ”, disasters – as recent experiences prove (i.e. Typhoon Yolanda) – are more destructive in terms of human life, and property due to its powerful intensity and magnitude. Coupled by worsening effects of Climate change, similar experiences worldwide have paved the way for the international community to label such phenomenon as “mega -disasters”. Thus, these mega -disasters are the “New Normal” in the context of DRRM. Severely ravaged by the disaster, DRRM would focus on Response and render initial humanitarian assistance. Thereafter, Rehabilitation and Recovery would take stage in rebuilding the lives of the people anchored on the “Build Back Better” principle. Noting the emergence of mega-disasters as the New Normal, numerous lessons are learned and identified. These lessons can be further identified as Gaps, Issues, Shortfalls, and Tests (GIST) which would serve as lenses in improving DRRM in the country – the commencement of the counterclockwise arrow starting from Rehabilitation and Recovery. Founded upon the GIST, the extent of the damage would improve interoperability among the four Vice-Chairs of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Moreover, these experiences, would serve as the backbone of the PDRA in evaluating a given hazard’s characteristics and its possible impacts to the populace.
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