2. Sustainable Livelihood Framework

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.

This chunk introduces the concept of external variables or exogenous variables that contribute to vulnerability. Exogenous variables refer to factors outside an individual’s control, affecting their exposure to various shocks like natural disasters or health epidemics. Understanding these variables is essential because they define how individuals experience vulnerability and can include environmental, social, or economic shocks.

Think of external variables like a storm dropping unexpected rain on an outdoor picnic. No one expects or controls the weather, just as people often cannot control natural disasters like hurricanes or health crises like a pandemic. How well one can prepare (like setting up tents or bringing rain gear) affects how vulnerable they feel to the storm. Similarly, understanding these external factors helps us gauge people's vulnerability.

It also defined the social and institutional structure, features of that one that also bring individuals in a particular exposure of threat and like if I am an outcast, I have less networks, it actually increase my exposure to a hazard, to a threat, to a risk.

This chunk emphasizes the social and institutional structures that contribute to vulnerability. Factors such as social networks, community ties, and institutional support can either mitigate or exacerbate an individual's exposure to risks. For example, someone marginalized or ostracized may lack support, increasing their vulnerability to hazards.

Imagine a student at school who is well-connected and has friends everywhere; if they face a challenge, they can quickly seek help. In contrast, a student who feels like an outcast may not know whom to approach for assistance. Similarly, the social fabric plays a vital role in determining how vulnerable individuals are to risks.

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.

This chunk discusses Bohle's framework to understand exposure, which consists of three dimensions. The first dimension focuses on the human ecological perspective, which includes understanding how population dynamics and environmental management capacity influence vulnerability. A growing population in an area with limited resources can heighten vulnerability to various shocks.

Think of a crowded lifeboat in a storm. If there are too many people and not enough supplies, the chances of survival decrease. Similarly, communities facing rapid population growth without adequate resources or environmental management are more vulnerable to shocks.

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.

This chunk looks at coping mechanisms regarding vulnerability. It explores how access to resources can be a source of conflict or cooperation. Understanding how individuals or groups manage resources during crises can reveal the social dynamics that influence their vulnerability and their capacity to respond to shocks.

Consider two neighborhoods: one with ample community resources and clear communication, and another struggling with resource scarcity and conflict. The first will likely cope better in an emergency, just as a group project succeeds when all members work together versus when conflicts arise due to unequal resource access.

There is another more prominent and very popular conceptual idea of vulnerability is the sustainable livelihood framework. It is not really on vulnerability, but they are one of the pioneering approach that define and quoted the vulnerability and which was now very regularly used in disaster risk and other risk management.

The chunk introduces the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), developed by Chambers and Conway in 1992. It focuses on people’s livelihoods rather than solely on vulnerability. The framework emphasizes the importance of understanding how the livelihoods of poor populations are at risk and relevant in disaster risk management.

Think of the SLF as a safety net for a family on a tight budget. Instead of worrying only about dangerous situations, it encourages thinking about strategies to build a stable financial future, like saving for emergencies. This holistic approach can offer a more sustainable solution to managing risks.

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.

This section highlights that the SLF centers on poor communities and their livelihoods, diverging from traditional disaster-focused perspectives. Vulnerability is defined in terms of how these groups can maintain their livelihood amidst various challenges.

Consider a farmer's family living in a flood-prone area. Their vulnerability is not solely about the flood itself, but how their farming practices and community resources enable them to keep producing food and meeting their needs even when floods occur. Their livelihood defines how they respond and adapt.

When it is resilient to face any kind of external shocks like natural disasters or epidemics that they can absorb this shock, they can bounce back, they will not finish. Then, one can say that this livelihood or these people are not at risk, they are not vulnerable.

In assessing if a livelihood is sustainable, it's key to determine whether it can withstand shocks, such as natural disasters or health crises. A resilient livelihood can absorb shocks and recover, indicating that the people are less vulnerable.

Think about a tree that bends but does not break in a storm. A strong, flexible tree can endure intense winds better than a brittle one that snaps. Similarly, sustainable livelihoods can adapt and recover from challenges, suggesting that the people are building resilience.

So, vulnerability context is defined with 3 characteristics that people are at vulnerable because shock, trends, and seasonality.

This part explains the characteristics defining the vulnerability context: shocks (unexpected events), trends (long-term changes), and seasonality (changes related to seasons). Each of these factors contributes to individuals' and communities' experiences of vulnerability.

Consider a small town where every winter leads to heavy snowfall. People who are prepared with snow shovels and salt are less vulnerable than those who are caught off guard. Similarly, understanding shocks, trends, and seasonality helps communities plan accordingly for a better future.

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 or maybe death in the family for a household or maybe violence like civil war in case of Syria or in many other countries in case of Sri Lanka when they were in civil war or in case of Bosnia.

This section categorizes shocks into natural shocks (like floods), health shocks (like epidemics), economic shocks (like recessions), or social shocks (like civil unrest). Each type of shock can significantly impact people's livelihoods and increase vulnerability depending on the severity and frequency.

Imagine strategizing for a football game. If the opposing team has powerful players and all the kickoffs don't go well, chances of losing are high. Similarly, when communities face disruptive shocks, such as a sudden pandemic, their plans for stability and wellbeing are compromised, increasing their vulnerability.

Another one is the seasonality and seasonal shift in price like the price of the crops of the food for the agricultural labor or the productions because of production is low or high, because of climate change maybe the production is not so high this year.

In this section, the importance of seasonality and trends is discussed. Seasonal shifts in market prices can greatly impact agricultural laborers and overall economic stability. Climate change can also alter production patterns, further affecting people's livelihoods.

Think of a farmer growing apples. In years with favorable weather, apple prices may be lower due to higher crop yields while in drought years, prices spike. Farmers must navigate these changes yearly, just as people adjust to the regular fluctuation in job availability or income opportunities.

Now, this vulnerability context actually, this is the poor people and is affecting their household capacity or their own individual capacity. So, they have actually different kind of capitals or capacities. One is a human capital, social capital, financial capital and physical capital.

Here, the link between vulnerability and livelihood assets (or capitals) is established. Individuals and communities rely on different types of capital—human, social, financial, and physical—to navigate challenges and maintain their livelihoods. The presence or absence of these capitals significantly affects their vulnerability.

Consider a person as a treasure chest containing varied resources: skills (human capital), supportive friends and family (social capital), savings (financial capital), and sturdy housing (physical capital). Without one type of capital, this person would be at greater risk. Just as each type of treasure supports everything in the chest, each capital type supports an individual's livelihood.

So, how one look into these livelihood assets or capitals? Livelihood assets we say that there are 5 capitals; human capital, social capital, physical capital, financial capital, and natural capital.

This section introduces the five types of livelihood capitals essential for sustaining livelihoods: human, social, financial, physical, and natural capital. Each type contributes differently to the community or individual's ability to manage risks and maintain their way of life.

You can think of these five capitals like different ingredients to a recipe. Just as you need flour, sugar, eggs, etc., to make a cake, various forms of capital are needed for a sustainable livelihood. If you’re missing an ingredient, the outcome might not be as successful.

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.

This chunk focuses on human capital, defined by education, skills, health, and the ability to work. It’s crucial because healthy, educated individuals are more capable of adapting to challenges and pursuing opportunities, thereby reducing their vulnerability.

Imagine a person trained in first aid. In an emergency, their knowledge allows them to provide assistance, reducing the negative outcomes of a crisis. Similarly, well-rounded individuals with good health, skills, and education can better navigate life's challenges.

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.

This section explains social capital, which refers to the relationships and networks individuals have and their ability to gather support from others. Strong social capital can alleviate vulnerabilities by providing emotional support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.

Think about a group of friends coming together to throw a surprise party. Each friend brings unique strengths, contributing to the successful planning and execution of the event. Much like these relationships help with party planning, social capital assists individuals and communities to overcome hardships by relying on the strength of their connections.

And trust and mutual support, during emergency situations or any situations, we need to cooperate with each other and we need to trust each other because trust minimize the uncertainty so trust and mutual support between individuals in a group is very important and this is one of the social capital, and also it depends on the social capital, the rules and sanctions, social norms are there.

This final chunk states the importance of trust and mutual support within social networks and their linkage to social capital. These factors reduce uncertainty during emergencies or difficult times which is crucial for poverty alleviation. It also highlights that social capitals often come with social norms or rules that can either aid or hinder an individual's access to opportunities.

Imagine a community coming together during a natural disaster, sharing resources, and helping each other find services. Trust allows them to work collectively, which can lead to better outcomes for all. Like these mutual support systems, strong social norms can provide frameworks to share strategies to thrive together in difficult times.

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