From Poverty to Disaster and Back: a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Poor people are disproportionally affected by natural hazards and disasters. This paper provides a review of the multiple factors that explain why this is the case. It explores the role of exposure (often, but not always, poor people are more likely to be affected by hazards), vulnerability (when they are affected, poor people tend to lose a larger fraction of their wealth), and socioeconomic resilience (poor people have a lower ability to cope with and recover from disaster impacts). Finally, the paper highlights the vicious circle between poverty and disaster losses: poverty is a major driver of people's vulnerability to natural disasters, which in turn increase poverty in a measurable and significant way. The main policy implication is that poverty reduction can be considered as disaster risk management, and disaster risk management can be considered as poverty reduction.

“Helping fill that gap:” a qualitative study of aging in place after disaster through the lens of home-based care providers

“…At the societal level, it is well known that disasters disproportionately affect those who are structurally marginalized, which in the context of this study were those in rural areas, those who had lower average household income and education level, and those living with disability or chronic disease [ 4 , 26 – 28 ]. Many fell into several of these categories.…”

Vulnerability context and well-being factors of Indigenous community development: a study of Peninsular Malaysia

“…Continuing drought could affect social and human capital as people are forced to leave their homes. A household resilience to shocks is an important determinant of the sustainability of lifestyles (Hallegatte et al, 2020; UNDESA, 2020).…”

People in Harm's Way: Flood Exposure and Poverty in 189 Countries

“…Many analyses have explored the link between natural hazards -flood risks in particular -and poverty; a detailed review of this literature is offered by Hallegatte et al (2020). Studies at the country level illustrate the complex factors at play.…”