Vulnerability and vulnerable groups from an intersectionality perspective

Christian Henrik Alexander Kuran,Claudia Morsut,Bjørn Ivar Kruke,Marco Krüger,Lisa Segnestam,Kati Orru,Tor Olav Nævestad,Merja Airola,Jaana Keränen,Friedrich Gabel,Sten Hansson,Sten Torpan

doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101826

Abstract

In general, the identification and protection of vulnerable groups in the case of hazards or when a crisis unfolds is an issue that any crisis and disaster risk management should address, since people have different levels of exposure to hazards and crises.In this article, we promote the application of the intersectionality perspective in the study of vulnerable groups, and we call for intersectionality as a guiding principle in risk and crisis management, to provide a better and more nuanced picture of vulnerabilities and vulnerable groups. This can help national and local authorities and agencies to formulate specific guides, to hire staff with the skills necessary to meet particular needs, and to inform vulnerable groups in a particular way, taking into account the differences that may coexist within the same group. Intersectionality allows us to read vulnerability not as the characteristic of some socio-demographic groups. It is rather the result of different and interdependent societal stratification processes that result in multiple dimensions of marginalisation. In this vein, we argue that research should focus on 1) self-perceived vulnerability of individuals and an intersectionality approach to unpack vulnerable groups; 2) cases of crises according to the level and/or likelihood of individual exposure to hazards, to better nuance issues of vulnerability.

Highlights

The identification of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children and the mentally and/or physically impaired, in the case of hazards or when a crisis unfolds, is an issue that any crisis and disaster risk management should address, since people have different levels of exposure to hazards and crises, which do not affect people
A vulnerable group can be defined as a “population within a country that has specific characteristics that make it at a higher risk of needing humanitarian assistance than others or being excluded from financial and social services
Point out that, too often, the identities of vulnerable groups are “ho mogenized in practice without regard for the intersecting traits and continual factors that result in unequal disaster and environmental outcome” [5]: 136)

Summary

Introduction

The identification of vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children and the mentally and/or physically impaired, in the case of hazards or when a crisis unfolds, is an issue that any crisis and disaster risk management should address, since people have different levels of exposure to hazards and crises, which do not affect people . A vulnerable group can be defined as a “population within a country that has specific characteristics that make it at a higher risk of needing humanitarian assistance than others or being excluded from financial and social services In a crisis such groups would need extra assistance, which appeals for additional measures, i.e. extra capacity, as a part of the emergency phase of disaster management” [1]: 34). Group characteristics often take precedence over individual characteristics To overcome this challenge, researchers in the field of crisis and disaster management, as well as disaster management professionals, have recommended the use of the intersectional perspective as an analytical tool to uncover qualitative differences in vulnerability and resilience within groups. While the recognition of qualitative use of intersectionality still homogenises people, it does so in a more fine-grained way and can be said to represents more adequately societal processes and hierarchies

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion