RISK AND VULNERABILITY

Risk and Vulnerability Social and Environmental Risks

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Risk and Vulnerability Social and Environmental Risks

Introduction

The study of social vulnerability is relatively new to the fields of geography and disaster management. Social vulnerabilities are those which develop through structural inequalities in the distribution of resources. It has a unique level of social vulnerability based on their interaction with the physical environment and their relationship to others in the community (Boruff, 2003). Dr. Susan Cutter of the University of South Carolina was one of the first researchers to pioneer the measurement of social vulnerability through the creation of an index based on multiple demographic indicators (Cutter, 2000; Boruff, 2003). Cutter's work resulted in the creation of a Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) that designated a unique measurement of social vulnerability for every county in the United States based on 1990 Decennial Census data (Boruff, 2003).

Background

This work has important theoretical and operational implications in the fields of geography and disaster management. First, use of participatory mapping as a tool for analyzing the conflation of space and power for communities that are in disaster-prone urban areas, such as New Orleans, has never been done. Second, by investigating current methodologies for vulnerability assessment and identifying weaknesses and areas of improvement, organizations that work to promote community preparedness and disaster response will be able to more effectively and efficiently meet beneficiary needs. For the purposes of this study, the beneficiary is defined as anyone who has received or may receive assistance in the future. Lastly, this study is particularly needed now as the frequency of natural disasters increases (van Aalst, 2006) as will be discussed in an examination of urban vulnerability and climate change later.

Describe the social factors used by SoVI, to determine risk and vulnerability as they apply to each of the two counties, and the specific socioeconomic risk factors for each county.

Indicators of Social Vulnerability

The thoughtful selection of demographic variables for input is critical to developing an accurate SoVI analysis. Through extensive "pre"- and "post"-disaster investigation, disaster managers have found that there are certain demographic characteristics shared by individuals who required additional assistance in order to respond and recover from disasters (Tate, 2009). Limited access to material resources such as food and educational supplies was found to, significantly hinder a community's ability to respond and recover from disaster. Individuals with little formalized political power or representation also suffered greater than individuals who could turn to social support services.

It is also observed that older and very young individuals were also found to be positively correlated with vulnerability. This finding is important since older individuals inhabit older homes that have weaker infrastructure and are not up to current building codes. Particularly relevant in certain developing countries such as Pakistan, individuals with certain belief systems or customs may also be excluded from disaster assistance (Boruff, 2003).

In Cutter's earlier work on social vulnerability, she utilized demographic data from 1990 U.S. Decennial Census and placed it over existing hazard maps to assess the risk of Georgetown County, South ...