2.1. Definitions and Historical Development

Vulnerability is considered in this double structure as exposure, which can be influenced by various external shocks, such as natural phenomena or epidemics. The way individuals are threatened by these shocks often depends on their social and institutional context. For instance, if someone is marginalized or an outcast, they may have fewer networks, increasing their exposure to threats.

Vulnerability refers to how susceptible individuals or communities are to harm, especially from external shocks. These shocks can include natural disasters, health epidemics, or economic downturns. The concept of vulnerability recognizes that not everyone is equally at risk; those who are socially marginalized may face greater threats because they lack supportive networks. This highlights the importance of social structure when assessing vulnerability.

Consider a small village that experiences frequent flooding. A family that is well-connected with their community can call for help and resources to rebuild quickly. However, a family that is isolated or not involved in community networks may struggle significantly more after the flood, illustrating how social connections can mitigate or exacerbate vulnerability.

According to Bohle, exposure can be understood through three dimensions: a human ecological perspective, entitlement theory, and a political-economic approach. The human ecological perspective includes factors like population dynamics and the capacity to manage environmental changes, entitlement theory addresses individuals' ability to secure their economic needs, while the political-economic approach examines inequalities.

Exposure to vulnerability can be broken down into three key dimensions. The 'human ecological perspective' looks at how population dynamics (like growth and management of the environment) affect vulnerability. 'Entitlement theory' considers people's ability to secure their basic needs. Lastly, the 'political-economic approach' investigates how inequalities and power structures can increase or decrease one's exposure to risks.

Imagine a city experiencing rapid population growth. Those with access to resources and decision-making power may thrive, while others without such access become increasingly vulnerable. For instance, a new housing policy might help wealthier residents, but if it neglects low-income households, their exposure to homelessness increases.

To understand how individuals cope with vulnerability, we can refer to studies on crises and conflicts focusing on resource access. The ability to access resources significantly affects how individuals or groups respond to their vulnerable situations. Research incorporates contributions from action theory to examine how individuals act in response to socio-economic constraints.

Coping mechanisms are vital for individuals facing vulnerability. Studies on crises have shown that those who can access resources (like finance, social support, or information) are better equipped to deal with challenges. Action theory helps us understand how people's decisions under socio-economic pressures guide their responses to vulnerabilities.

Consider a community in the aftermath of a hurricane. Those who have savings, community connections, and information about recovery programs are more likely to bounce back quickly. In contrast, families without savings or social networks may struggle to recover, demonstrating how resource access affects coping capabilities.

The sustainable livelihood framework, developed by Robert Chambers and Conway in 1992, views vulnerability in relation to poverty and livelihood management. It emphasizes placing people at the center of development and stresses that vulnerability arises from shocks, trends, and seasonality in people's livelihoods.

The sustainable livelihood framework connects vulnerability directly to people's livelihoods. It acknowledges that vulnerability is not only due to disasters but also includes ongoing challenges that influence how people manage their daily lives. The framework encourages a focus on sustaining livelihoods by addressing shocks (like natural disasters), trends (like economic shifts), and seasonality (like seasonal job availability).

Think of a farmer who relies heavily on a single crop. If a drought occurs, this farmer may face significant challenges that threaten their livelihood. However, if they diversify their crops and have access to resources and information, they may be more resilient to these shocks, illustrating the sustainable livelihood framework.

The context of vulnerability is defined by three characteristics: shocks, trends, and seasonality. Shocks include natural disasters and health crises, trends encompass long-term changes such as urbanization, and seasonality refers to variations in price or employment linked to the agricultural cycle.

Understanding the context of vulnerability involves looking at three main aspects: shocks (sudden events like floods or epidemics), trends (long-term changes like population growth or economic shifts), and seasonality (cyclical changes in job availability or crop prices). This framework helps identify the specific conditions that make certain populations more vulnerable.

For example, a coastal community might experience seasonal fishing jobs that diminish in winter (seasonality) along with more frequent hurricanes (shocks) and rising sea levels due to climate change (trends). These factors collectively define the community's vulnerability context.

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