Physical Capital - 4.4 | 11. External Variables and Vulnerability | Disaster Preparedness &Planning - Vol 2
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Understanding External Variables

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today we are discussing physical capital and its connection to vulnerability. Can anyone tell me what an external variable is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it something that we cannot control, like natural disasters?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! External variables, or exogenous variables, are factors outside our control that can increase our exposure to risks. Can anyone provide an example of such a shock?

Student 2
Student 2

Natural disasters like floods or earthquakes could be examples.

Teacher
Teacher

Great! Let's remember this with the acronym 'SHOCK' for 'Sudden Hazards Of Control Loss'. So, what are the implications of these shocks on our vulnerabilities?

Student 3
Student 3

They can make people more vulnerable, especially if they don’t have enough support.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! And that leads us to the next point about how social connections can either mitigate or exacerbate vulnerability.

Coping Mechanisms and Capacities

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we understand external variables, let’s talk about coping strategies. How do you think people adapt to challenges?

Student 2
Student 2

They might find support in their community or use their skills to survive.

Student 4
Student 4

Or they might face conflicts over resources.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Social capital plays a crucial role here. Let's think about the acronym 'CAPITAL': 'Community Associations Promote Individual Trust And Livelihoods'. Without social networks, how do you think people react to shocks?

Student 1
Student 1

They might feel isolated and unable to respond effectively.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Trust between individuals can reduce uncertainty during crises, reinforcing why social capital is so vital.

The Sustainable Livelihood Framework

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Teacher
Teacher

We’re moving on to the sustainable livelihood framework. Who can explain what it focuses on?

Student 3
Student 3

I think it’s about ensuring people's livelihoods are secure and sustainable.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Developed in the early 1990s, this framework emphasizes putting people at the center of development. Can someone describe the characteristics of a sustainable livelihood?

Student 2
Student 2

It should be resilient to shocks and not excessively reliant on outside help.

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! Remembering the key points of sustainability can help you understand its importance. Let's summarize it: 'RESILIENT' stands for 'Responding Effectively and Sustainably In Livelihoods during Emergencies'.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section discusses the concept of physical capital and its interrelation with vulnerability and livelihood.

Standard

In this section, the focus is on physical capital as a crucial component of livelihood strategies and its role within the broader context of vulnerability, influenced by external variables, social dynamics, and economic conditions.

Detailed

Physical Capital

This section delves into the nuances of physical capital and its significant role in shaping livelihoods amidst vulnerabilities. Physical capital encompasses tangible assets that are fundamental for individuals and communities to manage external shocks effectively. The discussion begins with defining external variables that contribute to vulnerability, highlighting how phenomena such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or social unrest can increase exposure to risks.

Bohle’s double structure of vulnerability presents two main elements: exposure and coping mechanisms, which are influenced by various theories like entitlement theory and political-economic approaches. Understanding these frameworks enables better insights into how communities can mitigate their vulnerabilities.

The Sustainable Livelihood Framework, developed by Chambers and Conway, underscores the importance of placing people at the center of development discussions. Here, vulnerability is linked directly to livelihoods, emphasizing that sustainability hinges on resilience to shocks, independence from external supports, and considering long-term impacts on resources.

Additionally, the section highlights three critical aspects of vulnerability context: shocks, trends, and seasonality. Various forms of shocks, ranging from natural to economic, directly impact the community’s capacity to maintain their livelihoods. Tracking these dimensions is essential for evaluating vulnerability and formulating effective responses, integrating human, social, financial, and natural capitals. By exploring these elements, the section articulates a comprehensive view of how physical capital is intertwined with social dynamics and vulnerabilities.

Audio Book

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Introduction to Vulnerability

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On the other hand, we have external one which we cannot less control, is an exogenous variable. What are they? External variables is considered in this double structure of vulnerability as exposure. So, exposure to what, some shock or some events like it depends on what kind of shocks, is it natural phenomena or some epidemics or not merely a kind of special exposure but how defenseless like I am for that one.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk introduces the concept of vulnerability, particularly focusing on external factors known as exogenous variables. It highlights that our level of exposure to vulnerability depends on various surprising events or shocks, like natural disasters or health epidemics, which are largely beyond our control. Understanding these external factors is crucial in assessing how vulnerable an individual or community is.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a community living near a river that floods every year. This community faces vulnerability because external factors like heavy rainfall can lead to floods, affecting livelihoods and safety. They have little control over these floods, just as they would have little control over an epidemic outbreak.

Components of Vulnerability

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So, double structure of vulnerability, two components; one is the exposure one and this exposure one according to Bohle that we can understand this exposure context from 3 different dimensions. One is human ecological perspective, population dynamics, capacity to manage the environment, population growth, and how human ecology is looking at population growth and the capacity to manage the environment.

Detailed Explanation

Here, the text outlines that vulnerability consists of two main components: exposure and resilience. It emphasizes Bohle's concept, which provides three dimensions to understand exposure: the human ecological perspective, which focuses on how human populations interact with their environment, how population growth affects vulnerabilities, and the capacity of people to manage their environment effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a city that is rapidly growing. If the city doesn't have the infrastructure to support this growth (like roads, schools, and healthcare), the residents become more exposed to vulnerabilities such as traffic issues or inadequate access to resources. This reflects the importance of managing population dynamics.

Understanding Coping Mechanisms

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Well to understand people's coping, we can also borrow the ideas from crisis and conflict kind of studies, who have the access to assets and resources and how it matter of conflict between individuals and groups or maybe sometimes action theory approaches, how people act, react frequently as a result of social-economic and governmental constraints and model access to assets like a mitigation of vulnerability through access.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses how understanding vulnerability requires looking at the coping strategies that people employ in times of crisis. It mentions borrowing ideas from conflict studies to explore how access to assets and resources can influence individuals' abilities to cope. Economic, social, and governmental constraints significantly impact how people react to crises and manage their vulnerabilities.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a farmer who has a good network with other farmers and local traders. If a drought occurs, this farmer might cope better by accessing shared resources, knowledge, or support from the community. Those with fewer connections may struggle more because they lack these coping mechanisms.

Sustainable Livelihood Framework

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There is another more prominent and very popular conceptual idea of vulnerability is the sustainable livelihood framework...their focus is like one poor people and their livelihood. When they are talking about vulnerability, it did not came from, did not come from the disaster perspective, but they are talking defining poor people and their livelihood in case of development and people at the center of their model.

Detailed Explanation

This section introduces the sustainable livelihood framework, which focuses on how to keep people's livelihoods secure rather than solely concentrating on vulnerability due to disasters. The model, developed by Robert Chambers and Conway, emphasizes placing people at the center of development efforts. It shows a connection between people's livelihoods and their vulnerability to disturbances.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a small fishing village. Instead of just preparing for storms (which could threaten their survival), the village could focus on building sustainable fishing practices. This way, their livelihood remains secure, and they become less vulnerable to any environmental shocks.

Livelihood Characteristics

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According to this model, people are actually operating, you know they are working in a context of vulnerability. What is the context of vulnerability? So, vulnerability context is defined with 3 characteristics that people are at vulnerable because shock, trends, and seasonality.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk describes the context in which people operate when facing vulnerability. It identifies three characteristics: shocks (unexpected events), trends (long-term changes), and seasonality (cyclical changes over time). Understanding these factors helps identify why certain groups are more vulnerable and how they might respond.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a farmer who grows crops. They face shocks like unexpected droughts or floods, trends such as fluctuating food prices over the years, and seasonal changes that dictate when they can plant and harvest. Each of these factors contributes to their vulnerability and affects their ability to maintain a steady income.

Types of Shocks

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So what are the shocks? One is the natural shocks like flood, drought, and cyclone. And health shocks like epidemic like cholera or even dengue let us say, or economic shocks like some financial recessions...

Detailed Explanation

In this section, different types of shocks that contribute to vulnerability are listed, including natural disasters, health crises, economic downturns, and conflicts. These shocks can severely impact individuals' livelihoods and increase their exposure to risks.

Examples & Analogies

A community hit by a cyclone may find homes destroyed and livelihoods disrupted. Likewise, if a sudden outbreak of a disease occurs, like cholera, farmers might become unable to work, amplifying their vulnerability. Understanding these various shocks is crucial for preparing and protecting communities.

Vulnerability Context Components

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3 conditions are important to define people's direct vulnerable context. One is the shock, trend and seasonality... this vulnerability context actually, this is the poor people and is affecting their household capacity or their own individual capacity.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk emphasizes three essential conditions defining a person's vulnerability context: shocks, trends, and seasonality. Each of these components plays a significant role in affecting the capabilities and resources available to households or individuals. Understanding their intersections allows for better vulnerability assessments and support strategies.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a small community that relies on agriculture. Seasonal changes affect when they can plant, shocks like a sudden flood can destroy crops, and trends in population growth may put additional pressure on their resources. Understanding these factors allows for targeted support when needed.

Livelihood Capitals

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So, they have actually different kind of capitals or capacities. One is a human capital, social capital, financial capital and physical capital...livelihood assets we say that there are 5 capitals; human capital, social capital, physical capital, financial capital, and natural capital.

Detailed Explanation

This section explains that individuals have different types of capitals that contribute to their livelihoods and how vulnerable they may be. It identifies five capitals: human, social, physical, financial, and natural capital, each playing a role in how people maintain their livelihoods and cope with vulnerabilities.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a business owner. Their human capital includes skills and knowledge about their trade, their social capital includes connections with suppliers and customers, physical capital refers to the tools and shop, financial capital is the money they have, and natural capital refers to any natural resources they use, like a nearby water source. Each type contributes to their business's stability and resilience.

Human Capital

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And human capital; knowledge and skill like education or good health I am capable person, nutrition I am getting enough food, nutritious food, ability to labor I can work, I can give my labor, capacity to adapt, in any situation, I can adapt culturally.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk details human capital, which includes knowledge, skills, education, health, nutrition, and the ability to adapt to changes. Each element contributes significantly to a person's capability to sustain a livelihood and cope with vulnerabilities. A strong human capital base enhances resilience against shocks.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a chef who has formal training (human capital) and a healthy diet allowing them to work effectively. If a restaurant experiences a sudden shift in customer preferences, their ability to adapt their menu can help keep the business afloat, showcasing how human capital plays a role in resilience.

Social Capital

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And social capital, of course my network, network works very well, my human networks, connections with each other or membership in a group, formal and informal. Like I can go to some club or maybe in a puja or in so any kind of formal and informal relationship defines my social capital.

Detailed Explanation

This section explains social capital, which refers to the relationships and networks people have, both formal and informal. It emphasizes the importance of having supportive networks that can provide resources, information, and mutual assistance during challenging times.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a neighborhood group that shares resources during emergencies. If a family faces a crisis, their friends and neighbors (social capital) may offer food, childcare, or financial help, which can significantly alleviate the family's burden and enhance their capacity to cope with the situation.

Social Norms and Vulnerability

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Some people whether the people have open access to get all the opportunities to maintain their livelihood or not. In case of very hierarchical societies, the low caste people or low-class people are restricted...so their movements, social and economic movements are restricted because of various kind of social norms which actually increase their vulnerability.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses how social norms and hierarchical structures can limit access to opportunities for certain groups. In stratified societies, marginalized populations may find themselves unable to break out of conditions that limit their ability to improve their livelihoods. Such restrictions contribute directly to increased vulnerability.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a person from a low-income neighborhood who dreams of becoming a doctor but faces hurdles because of financial constraints and limited access to educational resources. Their social status (essentially a result of societal norms) may restrict their movement towards achieving this goal, exposing them to systemic vulnerabilities.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Physical Capital: The physical assets necessary for maintaining livelihoods and coping with vulnerability.

  • Vulnerability: A state of increased exposure to risks or hazards.

  • Social Capital: The importance of community and relationships in mitigating vulnerability.

  • Sustainable Livelihood Framework: Model focusing on human-centered approaches to development and resilience.

  • External Variables: The external factors that can increase risks and vulnerability for individuals and communities.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A farming community that invests in irrigation systems (physical capital) to mitigate the effects of droughts.

  • A group of residents who form a local association to share resources and provide support during natural disasters.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Physical assets help us stand, against the shocks that sweep the land.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a farmer named Joe who builds a strong dam to protect against floods. This dam is his physical capital, helping him survive harsh winters.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember the word 'SHOCK' to recall Sudden Hazards Of Control Loss.

🎯 Super Acronyms

USE CAPITAL

  • Understand Social Engagement
  • Community Assets
  • Physical Infrastructure
  • Trust
  • Access
  • and Livelihood Strategies.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Physical Capital

    Definition:

    The tangible assets required for effective livelihood strategies and the capacity to withstand external shocks.

  • Term: Vulnerability

    Definition:

    The condition of being exposed to the possibility of adverse effects due to shocks, trends, or seasonality.

  • Term: Social Capital

    Definition:

    Networks of relationships among people that provide support and resources during emergencies.

  • Term: Entitlement Theory

    Definition:

    A framework that examines the ability of individuals to access resources they need for survival.

  • Term: Sustainable Livelihood Framework

    Definition:

    A model focusing on the sustainability of livelihoods by ensuring that people have adequate means to cope with shocks.

  • Term: Exogenous Variable

    Definition:

    A variable that is outside the control of individuals and can influence their vulnerability and exposure.