Vulnerable

Population
NURUL HIDAYAH
DEFINITIONS OF VULNERABILITY

Vulnerability is the degree to which a population, individual or

organization is unable to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover
from the impacts of disasters. Environmental health in
emergencies and disasters: a practical guide. (WHO, 2002)
Vulnerability is the degree of internal risk and susceptibility of
societies, as well as the level of resistance and resilience to
disasters ( McEntire , 2004).
SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR
GLOBAL DISASTER RISK
REDUCTION: 2015-2030
4 Priority of Sendai Framework
Priority 1 Understanding disaster risk
Priority 2 Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk
Priority 3 Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
Priority 4 Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to
«Build Back Better» in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction
POPULATIONS VULNERABLE IN
DISASTERS IN DISASTERS
▪ Low-income populations
▪ Less-developed Communities, Regions
▪ Children & Older Individuals
▪ Woman and teenager
▪ Ethnic Groups, People of Color
▪ Seriously ill, Mentally ill, and People with Disabilities
Discussion group
1 & 2 : Children and DRR
3 & 4 : Women and DRR
5 & 6 : Older people and DRR
7 & 8 : Chronically ill people and DRR
9 & 10 : People with disabilities and DRR
Topik diskusi
1. Faktor resiko kerentanan?
2. Apa yang bisa dilakukan/dilibatkan dalam 4
tahapan manajemen bencana?
Children and DRR
Things to consider :

1. Infants and young children, in particular, are physically vulnerable to both sudden-onset and
chronic disaster events due to their partial or total dependence on adults.

2. Without a sustained focus on children, their special needs may be neglected.

3. Disasters can affect children’s personal growth and development

4. Although children are at special risk in disasters, they are not passive victims

5. Children may have practical and creative ideas for helping their families and communities
recover from disasters
Women
Factors determining the role of ▪ Level of education
women in Disaster Risk Reduction :
▪ Self interest
▪ Patriarchal culture
▪ Policies and legislations
▪ Religious believes
▪ Organizational Culture
▪ Structure of the family
▪ Political environment
▪ Household work load:
▪ Household income
Older people
When conflict or disaster shatters communities and public services, older people’s health is at
risk because they are unable to get the care they need:

▪ Chronic non-communicable disease

▪ Infectious disease

▪ Psychological and mental health

▪ Nutrition

▪ Income and livelihoods

People with chronic illness
The Needs of People with Chronic ilness during disaster:
▪ Around-the-clock care by a family member or licensed professional, depending on severity of
diagnosis
▪ Frequent monitoring of vital signs and symptoms
▪ Medication taken with specific foods multiple times a day
▪ Frequent trips to specialists or primary care providers
▪ Equipment for monitoring or aiding bodily functions
“The psychological stress alone can increase a person’s risk of a heart attack,” leaving people who are
already at risk even more vulnerable.
Challenges complicate management of chronic
diagnoses may include:

1. Limited access to medical providers or medication for emergency

prescriptions
2. Disruption of care continuity when clinics close due to water and electrical
damage
3. Reduced mobility when carrying medical equipment like oxygen tanks
4. Displacement from homes when individuals are forced to evacuate their
residences
Preparing for natural disasters or
emergencies for people with chronic
condition:
▪ Maintain a 10-day supply of all necessary medications.
▪ Wear a bracelet that helps first responders identify an individual with a chronic condition or
specific care requirement.
▪ Organize a supply of emergency food, battery-operated flashlights and a change of clothes.
▪ Have devices at home that monitor vital signs and changes in physical health.
▪ Ensure family members and close neighbors know how to administer care.
▪ Develop an evacuation plan, including identifying stable buildings in the community for shelter.
▪ Sign up for community warning systems for weather alerts.
▪ Organize communication with family members in the event of lost power.
▪ Create an updated list of emergency phone numbers for providers and medical facilities, and
keep the list somewhere accessible.
People with disabilities
Risk factor for vulnerability:

1. Physical limitation

2. Inadequate access to information

3. Discrimination
Responding to the needs of
persons with disabilities
Several studies show us that including the needs and voices of persons with disabilities at all stages of
the disaster management process, and especially during planning and preparedness, can significantly
reduce their vulnerability and increase the effectiveness of Government response and recovery efforts.
However, despite an increasing worldwide focus on disaster risk reduction as opposed to mere disaster
response, most city and related Government agencies fail to adequately plan for – or include – persons
with disabilities in their disaster management activities. This causes severe inequities in access to
immediate response, as well as long-term recovery resources for people who have disabilities prior to
the disaster and those who acquire a disability as a result of the disaster.

Rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts must not only be inclusive and responsive to the needs of all
people, including persons with disabilities, but should include the participation of persons with
disabilities, to ensure that their needs and rights are respected. Women with disabilities are a
particularly vulnerable group whose needs should be included at all stages of recovery and
reconstruction efforts.
Thank You