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A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
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Today, we're going to talk about the external factors that contribute to vulnerability. What do you think these external factors might be?
Maybe natural disasters like floods and droughts?
Exactly! These are called natural shocks. Other external factors can include health shocks, like epidemics or economic shocks. Let's group 'natural' and 'health' shocks under 'shocks' in our notes, creating the acronym 'NHE' for easier recall: Natural, Health, Economic.
So, the more shocks affect a community, the higher their vulnerability?
Right! Communities exposed to multiple shocks face higher risks.
What about political factors? Do they count as external?
Absolutely! Political turmoil and social inequalities also play a role. Don’t forget this—external vulnerabilities are shaped by both environmental and socio-political contexts.
Can you give an example?
Certainly! Civil conflicts, like those seen in Syria or Bosnia, drastically increase vulnerability by disrupting access to resources.
Let's summarize: the key external factors contributing to vulnerability include natural shocks, health shocks, economic shocks, and political/social instability.
Next, let’s discuss the sustainable livelihood framework. Who can tell me how that framework approaches vulnerability?
It looks at how people maintain their livelihoods, right?
Correct! It emphasizes the conditions under which a livelihood is sustainable. What do you think makes a livelihood resilient?
Maybe being able to recover quickly from a disaster?
Great point! Resilience involves bouncing back from shocks without losing livelihoods. Can anyone think of a way to remember these key components of the sustainable livelihood framework?
How about the acronym 'REFOREST' for Resilience, Economic self-reliance, Flexibility, Opportunities, Resources, Sustainability, and Trust?
That’s excellent creativity! Using acronyms helps keep these concepts memorable.
Can we also include social aspects in this context?
Definitely. Social capital plays a significant role in determining resilience. People with strong networks and support systems tend to fare better. They are a buffer against vulnerabilities.
Let’s recap: The sustainable livelihood framework emphasizes resilience and integration of social and economic strategies.
Now, let’s discuss the specific dimensions of vulnerability like shocks, trends, and seasonality. Who can explain how these concepts interact?
Shocks are sudden events, while trends are more gradual changes, like population growth?
Exactly! Trends can exacerbate vulnerability over time. Meanwhile, seasonal factors can influence the availability of resources. For instance, employment opportunities might decrease in off-seasons. Can anyone provide examples?
In agriculture, crops can fail due to changing weather patterns, affecting food security?
Yes! And increased prices for food during shortages can lead to economic strain. So put together, shocks, trends, and seasonality shape vulnerability context. Let's use the acronym 'STS' to remember: Shocks, Trends, Seasonality.
So, it's a multifaceted issue that requires comprehensive understanding?
Right! Understanding these interconnections is crucial for mitigation strategies. Remember: STS is our shorthand.
Finally, how do various forms of capital interplay with vulnerability? What types of capital do we need to consider?
Human capital, like health and education, and social capital, like community ties?
Excellent! And what about financial and physical capital?
Financial capital is income and resources, while physical is infrastructure and tools required for work?
Perfect! Finally, natural capital refers to the natural resources available. Let's summarize: more access to these forms of capital correlates with lower vulnerability.
Can poor access to any of these capitals lead to increased risk?
Absolutely. Reduced access to any of these capitals means heightened vulnerability. Let's think of the acronym 'HPIFS' to recall all forms: Human, Physical, Income, Financial, Social.
Capitals' interaction with vulnerability is complex but essential for our understanding.
The interplay between external exposure to risks and internal coping capacities.
A model focusing on maintaining livelihoods in the face of vulnerabilities.
Different types of capital (human, social, financial, physical, natural) that influence vulnerability and resilience.
In a storm, we need more than form; social ties can help us climb, as resilience beats the test of time.
Imagine a town facing floods as an unexpected shock. The community comes together, supported by bonds of trust and resource sharing, showcasing how social capital can alleviate the strain.
Remember 'NHE' for Natural, Health, Economic shocks that define vulnerability.
'STS' stands for Shocks, Trends, Seasonality, key dimensions shaping the vulnerability context.
Term
Vulnerability
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Term
Sustainable Livelihood Framework
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The degree to which individuals or groups are susceptible to harm due to exposure to hazards.
External factors that affect vulnerability, often beyond an individual's control.
Sudden and often unexpected events that can cause damage and increase vulnerability.
A framework concentrating on individuals' or communities' capabilities to secure their economic needs.
A conceptual model focusing on how people achieve and sustain their livelihoods in the face of threats.
This section explores the characteristics of vulnerability context, discussing both external factors and internal capacities that affect individuals' exposure to risks.
The section delves into the dual structure of vulnerability, highlighting exogenous factors that contribute to exposure to hazards and the internal characteristics that influence individuals' capacity to cope. It introduces several theoretical frameworks, such as the sustainable livelihood framework, while defining vulnerability in terms of shocks, trends, and seasonality.
The vulnerability context is shaped by external factors (exogenous variables) and internal capabilities that determine an individual's exposure to risks. The section begins by explaining the double structure of vulnerability, which consists of exposure and internal characteristics that dictate how underprivileged individuals are positioned against threats such as natural disasters, epidemics, or socio-economic conflicts.
Key theoretical perspectives are introduced, including Bohle's three dimensions of understanding exposure: 1) the human ecological perspective, which examines population dynamics and environmental management; 2) entitlement theory and capacity theory, focusing on economic needs security; and 3) political-economic analysis, addressing inequalities and power structures.
Through the lens of the sustainable livelihood framework, pioneered by Robert Chambers and Conway in 1992, vulnerability is defined relative to people's livelihoods. Vulnerability is viewed not solely through the disadvantage of disasters but contextualized around the shocks, trends, and seasonality affecting individuals' ability to secure livelihoods. Important conditions affecting vulnerability include natural shocks (like floods), health shocks (like epidemics), economic shocks (such as financial recessions), and adverse seasonality effects.
Furthermore, various forms of capital (human, social, financial, physical, and natural) are elaborated upon in terms of how they shape vulnerability and resilience against shocks. An individual's access to these forms of capital ultimately influences their vulnerability profile, making it essential to consider both external threats and internal capacities.