Poverty and

Inequality
An Introduction to Disaster Drivers:
Poverty and Inequality

Presentation by 12-2 Newton, Group 2

DRRR
 Poverty
Poverty means lack of basic capacity
to participate effectively in society. It
means not having enough to feed and
cloth a family, not having a school or
clinic to go to, not having the land on
which to grow one's food or a job to
earn one's living, and not having
access to credit.
 Inequality
Inequality has multiple dimensions and
varies depending on the context. It can
include economic inequalities such as
inequalities in income, wealth, wages
and social protection, as well as social
and legal inequalities where different
groups are discriminated, excluded or
otherwise denied full equality.
 Ways in
Which Poverty
& Inequality
Amplify
Disaster Risk
Limited Access to Education,
Awareness, and Planning
Without access to accurate information
and education on disaster preparedness
and response, communities are more
likely to experience higher rates of
casualties, property damage, and
displacement during disasters.
 Discriminatory Practices in Housing
and Employment
Discriminatory policies and
practices limit access to safe and
affordable housing options and
hinder employment prospects,
trapping marginalized populations
in cycles of poverty and social
exclusion.
Limitations On Financial Means
Financial constraints often prevent
impoverished communities from
allocating sufficient funds for the
maintenance and upkeep of
infrastructure and housing. Limited
resources may force residents to
prioritize immediate needs over
long-term investments in disaster
preparedness and resilience.
 Location of Housing
Lack of affordable housing alternatives
may force vulnerable communities to
settle in floodplains, landslide-prone
slopes, or coastal regions vulnerable to
storm surges, increasing their
exposure to natural hazards.
The location of housing in hazard-
prone areas increases vulnerability to
disasters, as these communities are
more likely to experience direct
impacts from extreme events.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding intensifies disaster
risk by concentrating a large
number of people in vulnerable
areas. In densely populated
spaces, the spread of diseases
becomes easier, and evacuation
becomes more complicated.
 Poorly Constructed Housing
Poverty often forces individuals and
communities to prioritize immediate
needs over long-term investments in
housing. As a result, they may resort
to constructing shelters with whatever
materials are readily available or
affordable, which are often of poor
quality.
Lack of Basic Infrastructures
Poverty-stricken communities often
lack access to essential
infrastructures such as reliable roads,
water supply, and emergency centers
and services due to limited financial
resources or government neglect.
The absence of basic infrastructures
hampers preparedness and response
efforts during disasters, prolonging
recovery times and increasing
vulnerability to hazards.
 Recommendations
1. Improve infrastructure
2. Enhance education and awareness
3. Foster community resilience
4. Address social inequalities
5. Strengthen emergency response capabilities
Thank
your for
listening!
Presentation by 12-2 Newton, Group 2
DRRR