Protection during Response (Place) – (Date) Day 1 Session 4.1: Protection of At-Risk Groups

Groups that may be at-risk o Women and girls o Children o Older people o Persons with disabilities o Persons living with HIV/AIDS or TB o Minorities o Indigenous peoples, religious and ethnic minorities o “Invisible vulnerable” (e.g. draft-age males, adolescents and youth)

Introduction: Disasters and vulnerable Groups Disasters = natural hazard + human vulnerability Affected communities differ in their: o Resistance o Resilience o Self-reliance The position of groups within society vis-a-vis: o Power dynamics and leverage o Marginalization vs integration o Needs and priorities

Gender and Vulnerability Gender affects: Needs Opportunities to develop skills/capacities Level of risk Gender is a cross-cutting issue with implications for all sectors (watsan, health, education, shelter) Upholding gender equity in all phases of disaster response requires special attention

Gender Roles – Example Maldives Tsunami-affected family, Maldives Picture: ADB, at:

Gender in the relief phase Health care (pregnancy, menstruation) Increased threat of sexual violence/abuse Fewer opportunities for accessing public authorities Economic vulnerability - loss of home- based livelihoods Voice/leadership in reconstruction efforts

Gender in the recovery phase Women may experience: Increased workload Loss of basic facilities and household goods -> loss of income Change in family and gender roles Men: May migrate to find work Reconstruction can provide income opportunities

Barriers to using a gender lens Gender blindness Women forgotten in immediate impact assessment Response workers claim: Not responsible Not enough time Not the right time Not enough money Disaster workers not trained and uncomfortable with realities of gender inequalities Lack of capacity of local organizations

Gender: what is to be done Gender training for disaster workers Documentation of gender abuse in disaster settings Collect gender-disaggregated data Equal participation and representation in decision making and planning Inclusion and practical utilization of women’s organizations, organizing abilities Important to work with men to prevent neglect, marginalization and abuse of women

Gender: what is to be done Work through existing women’s organizations and community groups Recruit local women and men for assessment teams; equal men and women on teams Put codes of conduct in place Heightened not reduced discussion on GBV Seek out information from women and men Develop gender accountability measures

Children and Disasters: Vulnerabilities Family separation Difficulty in finding food, clothes, other basic needs and care Lack of emergency education Physical injury and mental trauma Children may be forced to live on the street if families not provided with adequate support Vulnerable to child labour, trafficking, exploitation (especially separated and unaccompanied children) following disaster

Poverty and disasters: Vulnerabilities Poor people often live in high-risk areas Have less resources and no access/money for insurance therefore: disasters can accentuate and deepen poverty and lead to reductions in food consumption, health expenditures, and school enrollment Forced migration Unwilling/unable to engage in risky but higher return activities

Sequence of Socio-economic Vulnerability

Poverty: What is to be done Before the disaster: Measures to avoid the risk from occurring (risk prevention), or, if this is not possible, to reduce its impact (Investment in Mitigation; Insurance ) After the disaster: Coping strategies are designed to relieve the impact of the risk once it has occurred (individual savings or borrowing; relief assistance; recovery and reconstruction programs)

Mechanisms and instruments for social protection Microfinance Food Transfer Service Fee / Tax Waivers Cash transfers programs Public works programs Social funds

Assisting people with disabilities: Example of Turkey Turkey Emergency Earthquake Recovery Loan (EERL): Cash transfers to earthquake victims who suffered property damage; Cash transfers to survivors and newly disabled persons who were not covered by social security; and Cash transfers to survivors and disabled persons covered by social security.

Social protection policies and programs should: Strengthen assets and livelihoods Be flexible according to needs Be implemented transparently Be supported by communications and outreach strategy Include mechanisms of redress

Thank You! Questions?