Reference no: EM132185213
What Makes a Population Vulnerable to Disasters?
Although disasters are generally random, the impact of an event can vary in severity depending on a variety of social factors. An individual’s socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, language limitations, and even gender can play a role in the ability to respond to and recover from an incident. In emergency management, individuals who face additional challenges throughout the disaster cycle are referred to as “vulnerable populations,” “at risk populations,” or “special populations.” Special populations may include, but are not limited to, the following groups:
Individuals with disabilities
Seniors
Individuals with hearing or visual impairments
Pregnant women
Children
Individuals with special medical requirements
Individuals with pets
For this Discussion, view the media Special Populations located in this week’s resources, and conduct research on issues related to special populations during disasters. Also, explore strategies to help reduce vulnerabilities of special populations during disasters.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a description of two special populations and explain why they are especially vulnerable during disasters. Then explain two strategies for each special population to help reduce their vulnerabilities.