R
=
H
×
E
×
V
C
Hazard–Exposure–Vulnerability
The Mechanics of Disaster Risk
MICRO-REALM 01
The Risk Equation
H×E×V
C
- R = (H × E × V) / C
- Risk is a dynamic product
- Zero in numerator = Zero Risk
MICRO-REALM 02
Hazard (H)
- The threatening event
- Probability of occurrence
- Magnitude and intensity
- Often uncontrollable
MICRO-REALM 03
Exposure (E)
- Intersection of people & hazard
- Location, Location, Location
- Building in floodplains/faults
MICRO-REALM 04
Vulnerability (V)
- Susceptibility to damage
- Inherent systemic weakness
- Lack of resistance
MICRO-REALM 05
Capacity (C)
- Resources to cope & recover
- The denominator that reduces Risk
- Knowledge, wealth, infrastructure
MICRO-REALM 06
Physical Fragility
- Poor construction quality
- Non-engineered buildings
- Lack of building codes
MICRO-REALM 07
Socio-Economic
→←
- Poverty and marginalization
- Lack of insurance/savings
- Gender, Age, Disability
MICRO-REALM 08
Environmental Deficit
- Degraded natural buffers
- Deforestation → Landslides
- Mangrove loss → Storm surge
MICRO-REALM 09
Institutional Factors
- Governance quality
- Early warning systems
- Emergency response readiness
MICRO-REALM 10
Disaster Risk Drivers
C
U
P
- Climate Change (C)
- Unplanned Urbanization (U)
- Poverty & Inequality (P)
- These amplify H, E, and V
MICRO-REALM 11
Residual Risk
- Risk remaining after mitigation
- Absolute safety is impossible
- Managed via insurance/funds
MICRO-REALM 12
Reducing the Equation
↓H, E, V / ↑C = ↓R
- Cannot easily lower Hazard (H)
- Zoning lowers Exposure (E)
- Retrofitting lowers Vuln (V)
- Training increases Capacity (C)