Publication: Why Resilience Matters : The Poverty Impacts of Disasters
Date
2013-11
ISSN
Published
2013-11
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper presents empirical evidence
of the profound and long-term damages from adverse natural
events on poverty. It analyzes 30 years of macro-level
damage data from disasters (including earthquakes, floods,
and storms), according to income groups, and shows that
low-income countries incur disproportionately large damages
relative to their assets. Furthermore, the paper reviews the
micro-level evidence of disaster impacts on the livelihoods
of the poorest households. The evidence suggests that the
poor are significantly more vulnerable and exposed to the
economic and human capital losses caused by disasters. It
discusses detrimental long-term consequences for the income
and welfare of the poor and the presence of poverty traps
that result from damages to productive assets, health, and
education. The roles of migration and ex-ante behavior are
also discussed. In the context of climate change, the paper
underscores the importance of considering the detrimental
impacts of smaller but repeated crises, for instance caused
by changes in local precipitation patterns. Lastly, the
paper offers a brief discussion of policy options for
strengthening resilience and highlights the need for further
research for understanding the complex direct and indirect
effects of disasters on the poor.
Citation
“Rentschler, Jun E.. 2013. Why Resilience Matters : The Poverty Impacts of Disasters. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 6699. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/16915 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
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