Disasters – from bushfires to floods – are both cyclic and endemic in Australia. Yet the risks and impacts are not evenly distributed. Post-disaster research shows that individuals – even within the same location – experience disasters differently.
Throughout the disaster response cycle, governments and communities are often focused on the physical landscape – from the location of encroaching vegetation to areas of flood-prone land.
Yet factors heightening an individual’s exposure to disaster risks – such as age, income and living situation – are often overlooked. Mapping social vulnerability factors is critical to preventing suffering, improving economic outcomes and strengthening community resilience – well before a disaster strikes. So which factors impact the disaster management cycle in unexpected ways? Here are five common examples:
1. Income and poverty
Individuals experiencing poverty may struggle throughout the entire disaster cycle: preparedness may be too expensive, and evacuation is difficult without proper access to transportation. In the aftermath of a disaster, individuals with lower disposable income may also struggle to secure appropriate accommodation. Overall, these groups require additional support throughout the disaster lifecycle.
![ABS SEIFA map](/sites/default/files/inline-images/ABS-SEIFA-map_0.png)
2. Living situation
People experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to the extremes of a natural disaster. An analysis of transient and homeless populations provides governments with the ability to forecast demand and optimise allocation of resources.
![COVID-19 planning for continuum of care areas](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Continuum-of-care-map.png)
3. Age
The young and old are disproportionately affected by disasters, with effects compounding for parents and carers, who are responsible for both their own and others’ welfare. When examining COVID-19 risk, spatial analysis identified four counties in the United States with more than a third of their population aged 60+, a very high Vulnerability Index of .75 or more, and a population of at least 100,000 – helping authorities assess a potential increase in demand on the existing medical infrastructure.
![Social vulnerability and age](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Social%20vulnerability%20and%20age.png)
4. Disability
Disasters may reduce access to support services – pushing people living with a disability into a status of higher vulnerability. The British Red Cross’s COVID-19 Vulnerability Index identifies areas in the UK where people might be more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. The Index looks at clinical vulnerability, wider health and wellbeing and socioeconomic vulnerability. Underlying data sources include people receiving disability benefits and the standardised ratio of people with a long-term health problem or disability.
5. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) status
For populations where English is a second language, warnings may not be fully understood or contextualised. This may be particularly true for first-generation migrants – who often rely on family or social services for this support. The key takeaway: Governments must identify areas where CALD populations reside to improve on-the-ground communication initiatives for emergency and disaster response.
![Predominant language spoken at home](/sites/default/files/inline-images/predominant-language-spoken-at-home.png)
A broader perspective on community resilience
Populations with high social vulnerability are susceptible to small and large disaster events. A lack of infrastructure or formalised response may place the burden on charities and other non-governmental organisations. For more, please read this great piece by Fidelis Magalhães: Lessons from the recent cyclone in Timor-Leste.
Key takeaways
What can be done? Just as we prepare for the physical precursors of a disaster – from flood prone roads to encroaching vegetation, equally we must take into consideration how different sub-groups will be affected.
To this end, organisations must develop detailed information on a Topology of Vulnerability to guide their planning and response postures. There is some great work underway already: recently I heard from Queensland Fire and Rescue on their development of a Disaster Vulnerability Index.
Looking at needs geographically helps provide a scientific approach to disaster management. By mapping vulnerability factors throughout the disaster management cycle – from preparation through to recovery – we can begin to identify and reduce the danger to at-risk populations and strengthen community resilience.
Interested in the role of GIS in disaster management? If this is an area you’re working on, let’s connect.