Vulnerability to Disaster

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 2 Course Purpose Sharpen participants’ ability to plan for and respond to needs of every member in a community affected by disaster Show disaster caregivers how to identify and work with persons who are particularly vulnerable to lack of resources for sustainable recovery from disaster

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 3 What You Will Learn Identify ways that people are vulnerable to disaster Identify factors that contribute to vulnerability Identify personal assumptions about vulnerabilities

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 4 What You Will Learn (contd.) Describe pre- and post-disaster roles for faith-based organizations in identifying, including, and assisting those most vulnerable to disaster Use tool to map pre-disaster community assets and vulnerabilities Use tool to assess post-disaster assets and vulnerabilities

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 5 All humans are vulnerable to disasters – and the trauma and devastation they bring. However, some are more readily vulnerable than others.

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 6 Recovery is limited or thwarted because … Underlying causes coupled with dynamic pressure points … Create chronic susceptibility for certain populations or individuals Vulnerability to disaster is increased when …

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 7 Progression of Vulnerability to Disaster Underlying Causes of Vulnerability Limited access to: Power structures Resources Bias toward ideologies, life style, cultures, and traditions Economic systems Dynamic Pressure Points of Underlying Causes Limited access to: Affordable/safe housing Education/training Emotional care Health services Information Legal services Lucrative employment Mitigative or protective measures Nutrition/food Planning structures Safety and security Social services Transportation Susceptibility that Originates in Underlying Causes Fragile Physical Environment Dangerous locations Dangerous buildings Inadequate infrastructure Fragile Local Economy Livelihoods or employment at risk Low income levels Vulnerable societies Hazards or resource gaps placing specific groups or neighborhoods at risk Lack of local institutions or service providers Absence or limited recognition of the hazard, vulnerable group, or gap in resources/services Public Actions Lack of disaster education and preparedness by individuals and community Exclusion of vulnerable populations in disaster planning Poor communication Macro Effects of Underlying Causes Easily victimized and readily discriminated against No voice, power, or recognition Personal support systems have limited resources Strong sense of pride and independence

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 8 Impact of Vulnerability Individuals, neighborhoods, and communities most vulnerable to disaster are least likely to: –Plan for disaster –Be included in others’ planning –Recover from disaster with resources that are available to them

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 9 Recap Factors that make someone vulnerable to disaster The progression of vulnerability –Underlying causes –Dynamic pressure points –Chronic susceptibility

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 10 Disaster and Vulnerability - What You Will Learn That vulnerability is situational How a disaster increases vulnerability How to identify unmet needs How to identify resources

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 11 Vulnerability is Situational

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 12 What Makes a Disaster? = Harmful event + Vulnerability

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 13 Those Most Vulnerable

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 14 How A Disaster Increases Vulnerability

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 15 Beware stereotypes! of

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 16 Barriers That Increase Vulnerability

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 17 Addressing Unmet Needs

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 18 Who Has Unmet Needs? People who fall through cracks for meeting critical needs People who will not receive enough aid for required repairs or rebuilding to restore safe, sanitary, secure home

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 19 Unique Role of Faith Community Recognizes sanctity of all human life Offers spiritual care along with physical relief to all persons in need –Especially those most vulnerable –Regardless of economic status and political or religious affiliation Advocates for equitable allocation of material resources according to need following disasters

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 20 Identifying Resources

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 21 Recap That vulnerability is situational How a disaster increases vulnerability How to identify unmet needs How to identify resources

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 22 Addressing Unmet Needs – What You Will Learn The faith community and unmet needs Building a community response

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 23 The Faith Community and Unmet Needs

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 24 Faith Community Disaster Responders Think in terms of two groups: –Those that do have capacity to recover –Those that don’t have capacity to recover without assistance beyond established assistance programs

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 25 Building a Community Response Disaster News Network

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 26 Model for Building Partnerships Ask members of vulnerable group to help you understand their community Offer to help them better understand disaster response system and what happens when a disaster hits Together you are better able to prepare for appropriate community response and to spread critical information to groups that are hard for you to reach

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 27 Recap The faith community and unmet needs Building a community response

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 28 Responding Appropriately – What You Will Learn How to respond appropriately to vulnerable populations Importance of communication skills

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 29 Responding to Different Populations Lingua News

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 30 Common Patterns of Cultural Differences Communication styles Attitudes toward conflict Approaches to completing tasks Decision-making styles Attitudes toward disclosure

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 31 Importance of Communication Skills

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 32 What You Have Learned Everyone is vulnerable to impacts and trauma of disaster; some persons especially vulnerable to lack of resources for recovery Be aware of how you might be stereotyping Acknowledge that disaster response assistance system may leave some people out Keep attuned to who is not being served; identify ways that you can change system to serve them

Vulnerability to Disaster Community Arise 33 Community Arise Community Arise