Integrating climate change adaptation in disaster risk reduction Module 2 Understanding vulnerability

Welcome to e-Learning on integrating climate change adaptation in disaster risk reduction! This module is part of an e-Learning package on integrating climate change adaptation in disaster risk reduction. The package includes five modules: Concepts in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation Understanding vulnerability Introduction to disaster risk reduction Introduction to climate change adaptation Guiding principles for integrating adaptation in disaster risk reduction We recommend that you work through the modules in the specified order. To access the other e-Learning modules, please visit the: e-Learning Center - Integrating climate change adaptation in disaster risk reduction NOTE: You will need a user name and password to access the e-Learning Center. If you do not have an account, please contact: MinervaSupport@care.ca COPY TO ALL MODULES

Who are the e-Learning modules for? How were they developed? The e-Learning modules are designed for disaster risk reduction (DRR) practitioners. This includes practitioners within CARE, as well as our civil society and government partner organizations. They were developed by Raks Thai Foundation and CARE, with significant inputs from CARE experts on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and most importantly from practitioners engaged in DRR initiatives in Country Offices across the Asia Pacific Region, as well as in Raks Thai Foundation. Practitioner perspectives were gathered through two workshops. An initial workshop was conducted to develop the overall framework and brainstorm on key content. In the second workshop, the draft modules were tested and feedback was gathered. The current version reflects inputs from both workshops. The modules reflect CARE’s current thinking on integrating adaptation in DRR initiatives. They should be considered as working versions. Our approach will be tested and refined as we develop more experience in this area. Please send any feedback on these modules to Bruce Ravesloot: ravesloot@careclimatechange.org COPY TO ALL MODULES

You can move through the module at your own pace. Introduction Vulnerability to what? We estimate that this module will take you approximately 1 hour to complete. However, everyone learns at a different speed, so you should feel comfortable moving at your own pace. The map on the right helps you to track your progress through the module. Where you are will be highlighted in orange. We recommend that you go through the module in sequence, however you will have the option of jumping forwards or backwards by clicking on the map. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability COPY TO ALL MODULES Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review At any point, you can go back to the previous slide by clicking the back arrow. Use the forward arrow to move through the module.

Are you ready? Then let’s get started! Throughout the module, you’ll find links to key definitions and documents. This e-Learning module is designed to be as clear and user-friendly as possible. So, as we introduce different concepts, we’ll use simple language and examples to promote understanding. However, we will also provide links to ‘official’ definitions for those who prefer this approach, as well as to documents that provide a more comprehensive overview. Any time you see underlined text in the module, you can click to access the official definition. Links to documents will be indicated by an orange box: Clicking on the document boxes will take you to an external website, so you’ll need to be online to access these documents. Are you ready? Then let’s get started! Name of Document COPY TO ALL MODULES WITH UPDATE

Understanding vulnerability e-Learning Module 2 Understanding vulnerability

Learning Objective for Module 2 Introduction Vulnerability to what? The learning objective for this module is to build understanding of the concept of vulnerability as it is used in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and in climate change adaptation. Vulnerability is a core concept in DRR and adaptation, and must be understood in order to move forward in learning about the two approaches. The main issues covered in this module are shown in the map. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Module 2 focuses on building understanding of vulnerability. As we learned in Module 1, both adaptation and DRR focus on reducing vulnerability. Module 2 focuses on building understanding of vulnerability. Introduction Vulnerability to what? To review from Module 1: Climate change makes disaster risk reduction even more important. With the exception of geophysical hazards, climate change affects all types of natural hazards. Vulnerability to climate change and disasters: Depends on exposure to hazards. Is determined by human, social, physical, natural, political and financial factors. Varies within communities and even within households. More capacity means less vulnerability. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

When thinking about vulnerability, it can be important to consider the question, “vulnerability to what?”. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Different people have varying degrees of vulnerability to different hazards. What people are vulnerable to depends on where they live and how they gain their livelihoods. It can also depend on how poor they are, how much power they have and their status in their household or community. This means that vulnerability can vary within communities and even within households. In this module, we’ll explore vulnerability to climate change and disasters. This broad term encompasses vulnerability to current and future climate hazards, as well as other hazards that are not climate-related. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

We must also look how hazards interact. To understand vulnerability, we must look at the full range of hazards that people are exposed to. We must also look how hazards interact. Introduction Vulnerability to what? People may be exposed to a range of different hazards. For example, a community may be exposed to both drought and to heavy rainfall events. With climate change impacts on rainfall patterns, these events may become more frequent or more severe. A community suffering from a drought is likely to be grappling with food insecurity and limitations in access to water for domestic and productive uses, among other negative effects. These negative effects place the community in a vulnerable position, particularly if the drought is followed by heavy rains causing flooding or landslides. Vulnerability reduction efforts must therefore consider the different hazards people are exposed to, and how these different hazards may interact with each other to exacerbate vulnerability. This is particularly important in the context of climate change. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Click on the different types of factors for explanations and examples. Let’s consider the different factors that may contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Human Factors Social Factors Vulnerability factors Practical example Vulnerability Physical Factors Financial Factors Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Natural Factors Political Factors Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Exposure to hazards Click on the different types of factors for explanations and examples.

In every community, these different factors work in combination to determine people’s degree of vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Human Factors Social Factors Vulnerability factors Practical example Vulnerability Physical Factors Financial Factors Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Natural Factors Political Factors Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review REFLECTION Think about a community that you work in. Can you identify an example of each of these different types of factors that contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters?

Let’s think about vulnerability to climate change and disasters using a practical example. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review As you examine the photo, think about the different factors that may make the people living in the orange and blue houses vulnerable to climate change and disasters.

Vulnerability is a function of exposure to hazards. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Which family do you think has higher exposure to flood hazards – the one living in the blue house, or the one living in the orange house? Click on the house below to indicate your response. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Vulnerability is determined by human, social, physical, natural, political and financial factors. Introduction Vulnerability to what? In the orange house lives a family of four. The man of the house works for a company that builds roads, and he is away during the dry season. The woman of the house has a small rice field and grows some vegetables on another plot. She sells any surplus at the local market. Their two children attend the village school. In the blue house lives a family of three. The man of the house died five years ago. The woman of the house grows vegetables in a small kitchen garden. She rarely has a surplus, and sometimes the family faces a shortage of rice. Her son attends the village school, while the daughter stays home to help out around the house. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review REFLECTION What does this tell you about the relative vulnerability of these two families? What types of factors are at play?

Climate change can affect exposure to hazard events. Introduction Vulnerability to what? In the past, to plan a DRR action to reduce the vulnerability of the families in these two houses to flooding, you would typically look at the extent, frequency and impacts of past flood events and plan your action on this basis. Climate change means that we can’t expect that things will happen as they have in the past. For example, if the region shown in the photo is likely to experience more frequent heavy rain events, it could mean that flooding will happen more often. If these heavy rain events involve more rain than in the past, the flooding could be more extensive than before. Each of these scenarios will change the exposure of the families living in these two houses to flooding. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review To effectively reduce vulnerability to disasters, we need to consider future climate scenarios as well as past events.

Climate change can also affect vulnerability to hazard events. Introduction Vulnerability to what? In addition to increasing exposure to hazard events, the impacts of climate change may also affect vulnerability to these hazards. Increased frequency and intensity of hazard events means that people have less time to recover between different events. It may also mean that people’s traditional coping mechanisms may no longer be effective, resulting in a downward spiral of vulnerability. There is also the effect of changing conditions caused by climate change, such as shifting rainfall patterns or temperature changes. These smaller, slower changes do not qualify as hazard events, but they can have a significant impact on people’s livelihoods, for example through reduced crop yields or negative health impacts. These effects in turn can lead to increased their vulnerability over time. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review To effectively reduce vulnerability to disasters, we need to consider how climate change may affect vulnerability to hazard events.

Let’s return to the orange house by the river. Where does climate change fit in to this scenario? Introduction Vulnerability to what? Climate change could mean that flooding of the river reaches heights it has not reached in the past, or that floods happen more frequently. It could also mean less rain overall, resulting in drier dry seasons. What does this mean for the man and the woman of the orange house in terms of the effects of the flood and their responses? Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Understanding vulnerability to climate change: Insights from application of CARE’s Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) Methodology Knowledge Review

These are important factors in determining vulnerability. Gender inequality is an important social factor contributing to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Gender inequality exists when women, girls, boys and men do not experience equal enjoyment of rights, opportunities, resources and rewards. Gender, along with class and race, determines the roles, power and access to/control over resources for females and males in any culture. These are important factors in determining vulnerability. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability When analyzing vulnerability, we must consider the gender dimensions. Often, women and men are not equally vulnerable, even if they live in the same house. Knowledge Review

Women are often particularly vulnerable due to their roles, power and rights in their households and communities. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Experience has shown that women are often particularly vulnerable to climate change and disasters. This may be true for a number of different reasons, including: Women are often responsible for household food, water and fuel, all of which may be more difficult to secure in times of crisis. In many contexts, women have less power to make decisions about household livelihoods and less control over important resources such as land. This places them at a disadvantage when it comes to risk management. There is a tendency for women to be under-represented in community affairs, including development of disaster risk reduction plans. This means that these plans may not respond to women’s needs and priorities. However, this is not to say that all women are vulnerable, or that men are not vulnerable. What is important is to understand who is vulnerable, to what, and why. Gender often plays a role in this. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Let’s go back again to the orange house to explore the gender dimensions of vulnerability. Introduction Vulnerability to what? In the orange house by the river, there is a man and a woman. Imagine that a flood has just occurred. Do you think that the man and the woman of the house will be affected equally? Will they experience the flood in the same ways? Will they respond in the same ways? Why or why not? Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Vulnerability is a dynamic concept. Introduction Vulnerability to what? People’s vulnerability to different hazards changes over time. This is particularly true in the context of a changing climate. Climate change means that climate- and weather-related hazards are more likely to occur, may be more serious, and may occur in places that they have never occurred before. It also means that there is increased uncertainty around hazards. The best place to start is by understanding the current situation with respect to vulnerability. Then you can consider how the situation will change with the impacts of climate change. This will move you towards solutions that are effective in the short term and sustainable in the long term. It’s also extremely important to monitor changes in vulnerability over time. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Let’s review the key learning points for this module. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Different people have varying degrees of vulnerability to different hazards. Vulnerability is determined by human, social, physical, natural, political and financial factors. To effectively reduce vulnerability to disasters, we need to consider future climate scenarios as well as past events. We must also consider how climate change may affect vulnerability to hazard events over time. When analyzing vulnerability, we must consider the gender dimensions. Often, women and men are not equally vulnerable, even if they live in the same house. Vulnerability is a dynamic concept – it changes over time and in relation to different hazards. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Ready to review your knowledge? Introduction Vulnerability to what? In this module, we’ve explored the different dimensions of vulnerability to build your understanding. Next, you’ll have a chance to review your knowledge before moving on to the next module. Ready? If you feel you’re ready for the knowledge review, click on the forward arrow. Not quite there yet? If you’d like to go through the any part of the module again before moving on to the knowledge review, click on the appropriate box in the map. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review

Click on the appropriate box to indicate your answer. Knowledge Review Question 1 Introduction Vulnerability to what? TRUE OR FALSE? Climate change can increase both the probability of hazard events and people’s vulnerability to these events. Vulnerability factors Practical example TRUE FALSE Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the appropriate box to indicate your answer.

They play different roles in the household Knowledge Review Question 2 Introduction Vulnerability to what? Women and men are not equally vulnerable to climate change and disasters. This is because: Vulnerability factors Practical example They play different roles in the household They have different levels of control over resources Both of these statements are true Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the appropriate box to indicate your answer.

Congratulations! You’ve completed Module 2. We hope that you have found this to be a useful learning experience. To access the other e-Learning modules, please visit the: e-Learning Center - Integrating climate change adaptation in disaster risk reduction NOTE: You will need a user name and password to access the modules. If you do not have an account, please contact: MinervaSupport@care.ca Thank you for your participation! You can exit the module by pressing the Esc key. ADD THIS SLIDE TO ALL

Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module. Definitions Climate Change Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. From: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007). Fourth Assessment Report, Annex II: Glossary. http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/syr/en/annexessglossary-a-d.html Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module.

The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected. Definitions Vulnerability The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected. From: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2011). Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation: A Special Report of Working Group I and Working Group II to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. http://ipcc-wg2.gov/SREX/images/uploads/SREX-SPM_Approved-HiRes_opt.pdf Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module.

Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module. Definitions Hazard A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. From: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) (2009). Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module.

Disaster risk reduction Definitions Disaster risk reduction The concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events. From: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) (2009). Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module.

Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module. Definitions Capacity Capacity refers to the combination of all the strengths, attributes and resources available within a community, organization or society that can be used to achieve agreed goals. From: United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) (2009). Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction. http://unisdr.org/files/7817_UNISDRTerminologyEnglish.pdf Click on the arrow to go back to the e-Learning module.

Human factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Human factors are factors related to skills, knowledge, good health and ability to labour.* Examples of human factors influencing vulnerability include: Lack of knowledge, such as knowledge of changing disaster risks or of safe evacuation routes Limitations in skills, such as literacy, financial management or conservation agriculture skills Poor health, including due to HIV&AIDS or malnutrition Lack of mobility due to physical disabilities or age Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review * DfID (1999). Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets: Framework. Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Social factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Social factors are factors related to formal and informal networks and relationships, as well as cultural rules and norms. Examples of social factors influencing vulnerability include: Lack of social cohesion within community Poor social safety nets Gender inequality Cultural beliefs that inhibit appropriate risk management Inadequate participation of marginalized groups in community networks and organizations Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Financial factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Financial factors relate to people’s financial resources, including available stocks as well as flows of money.* Examples of financial factors influencing vulnerability include: Lack of savings Insecure access to or control over land and other resources Limited access to financial services such as credit and insurance Fluctuations in prices of food and other essential items Limited opportunities to diversify livelihoods Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review * DfID (1999). Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets: Framework. Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Political factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Political factors are factors related to governance, policies and power structures. Examples of political factors influencing vulnerability include: Lack of appropriate legal and regulatory systems Inadequate participation in governance Poor access to governance services Inequitable policies and power structures Lack of representation of marginalized groups in governance structures and processes Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Physical factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Physical factors are factors related to infrastructure, as well as producer goods such as tools and equipment. Examples of physical factors influencing vulnerability include: Inadequate housing Poorly designed or maintained infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and water systems Lack of safe storage for assets Lack of communications infrastructure Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review * DfID (1999). Sustainable Livelihoods Guidance Sheets: Framework. Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Natural factors contribute to vulnerability to climate change and disasters. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Natural factors are factors related to the environment and the natural resource base. Examples of natural factors influencing vulnerability include: Land degradation, including desertification and erosion Deforestation Unsustainable management of water and other natural resources Geographical features such as slopes, rivers and coastlines Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click here to go back to the map of vulnerability factors.

Vulnerability is a function of exposure to hazards. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Which family do you think has higher exposure to flood hazards – the one living in the blue house, or the one living in the orange house? Click on the house below to indicate your response. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability You’re right! The orange house is closer to the river and at lower altitude, so its exposure to floods is higher. Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click here to go back to the image of the houses.

Vulnerability is a function of exposure to hazards. Introduction Vulnerability to what? Which family do you think has higher exposure to flood hazards – the one living in the blue house, or the one living in the orange house? Click on the house below to indicate your response. Vulnerability factors Practical example Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Sorry! The correct answer is the orange house. It is closer to the river and at lower altitude, so its exposure to floods is higher. Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click here to go back to the image of the houses.

Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review. Question 1 Introduction Vulnerability to what? TRUE OR FALSE? Climate change can increase both the probability of hazard events and people’s vulnerability to these events. Vulnerability factors Practical example You’re right! Climate change impacts mean that hazard events may be more frequent and severe than they have been in the past. Climate change can also increase vulnerability to these events, for example through changes in conditions (such as shifting seasons) which undermine livelihoods over time. It can also increase interaction of hazard events (such as a drought followed by heavy rains causing flooding). TRUE Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review.

Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review. Question 1 Introduction Vulnerability to what? TRUE OR FALSE? Climate change can increase both the probability of hazard events and people’s vulnerability to these events. Vulnerability factors Practical example Sorry! This statement is true. Climate change impacts mean that hazard events may be more frequent and severe than they have been in the past. Climate change can also increase vulnerability to these events, for example through changes in conditions (such as shifting seasons) which undermine livelihoods over time. It can also increase interaction of hazard events (such as a drought followed by heavy rains causing flooding). FALSE Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review.

They play different roles in the household Knowledge Review Question 2 Introduction Vulnerability to what? Women and men are not equally vulnerable to climate change and disasters. This is because: Vulnerability factors This is true, but it is not the only reason women and men are not equally vulnerable. It is also true that they have different levels of control over resources, and this also influences their relative vulnerability. Power to make decisions and to engage in community organizations and governance are also important factors that may differ by gender. Practical example They play different roles in the household Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review.

They have different levels of control over resources Knowledge Review Question 2 Introduction Vulnerability to what? Women and men are not equally vulnerable to climate change and disasters. This is because: Vulnerability factors This is true, but it is not the only reason women and men are not equally vulnerable. It is also true that they have play different roles in the household, and this also influences their relative vulnerability. Power to make decisions and to engage in community organizations and governance are also important factors that may differ by gender. Practical example They have different levels of control over resources Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review.

Both of these statements are true. Knowledge Review Question 2 Introduction Vulnerability to what? Women and men are not equally vulnerable to climate change and disasters. This is because: Vulnerability factors Practical example Both of these statements are true You’re right! Both of these statements are true. Power to make decisions and to engage in community organizations and governance are also important factors that may differ by gender. Climate change & vulnerability Gender & vulnerability Dynamic vulnerability Knowledge Review Click on the orange box to return to the Knowledge Review.