Vulnerability

Question 1

What is the definition of vulnerability in the context of disasters?

Answer 1

The ability to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from a natural hazard.

Vulnerability encompasses various factors that affect a community’s ability to deal with hazards.

Question 2

Define resilience in relation to natural hazards.

Answer 2

The ability to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from destruction, and to restore areas after a natural hazard has occurred.

Resilience is crucial for communities to bounce back after disasters.

Question 3

What constitutes a hazard event?

Answer 3

A natural hazard such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or tsunami.

Hazard events can lead to significant destruction and loss if not managed properly.

Question 4

True or False: Less developed countries are generally less vulnerable to hazard events compared to wealthier countries.

Answer 4

False.

Less developed countries are usually more vulnerable due to pressing issues like poverty and disease.

Question 5

What are some pressing problems that make less developed countries more vulnerable to hazard events?

Answer 5

• Poverty
• Disease
• Limited resources for disaster preparation

These factors hinder their ability to effectively prepare for and respond to hazards.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: Disasters result from failures of development, which increase vulnerability to _______.

Answer 6

[hazard events].

This highlights the link between development and disaster risk.

Question 7

What influences the enforcement of building codes and regulations?

Answer 7

Governance (local and national) and political conditions

The enforcement determines the safety of buildings and structures.

Question 8

How does the quality of existing infrastructure affect a country’s recovery speed?

Answer 8

It affects the speed of recovery from hazards

This includes transport and power supply.

Question 9

What influences a country’s ability to respond and recover from a hazard event?

Answer 9

Existence of disaster preparedness plans

Effective plans influence response and recovery speed.

Question 10

What factors affect the efficiency of emergency services and response teams?

Answer 10

Governance and political conditions

This affects the speed and effectiveness of rescue efforts.

Question 11

How does the level of corruption in a government influence resource use?

Answer 11

It influences how resources are allocated and utilized

Corruption can hinder effective disaster response.

Question 12

What does the level of wealth influence in terms of disaster preparedness?

Answer 12

People’s ability to protect themselves

Wealthier individuals tend to live in more hazard-resilient buildings.

Question 13

How does poor health care affect a community’s ability to cope with hazards?

Answer 13

Communities are less able to recover due to higher disease suffering

Poor health care limits resilience.

Question 14

What does a lack of income opportunities suggest about a community’s preparedness for hazards?

Answer 14

People cannot buy necessary resources to prepare or cope

Financial constraints limit disaster readiness.

Question 15

What is a consequence of high population density in terms of housing quality?

Answer 15

Tends to have more low-quality housing

High density often leads to inadequate living conditions.

Question 16

What effect does rapid urbanization have on housing in urban areas?

Answer 16

Leads to short-term rapid demand for housing, often poorly built

Urbanization can increase vulnerability to hazards.

Question 17

How does the accessibility of an area influence disaster response?

Answer 17

Affects how quickly rescuers and aid can arrive

Accessibility is critical for effective emergency response.

Question 18

What tectonic plates is Haiti located between?

Answer 18

North American and Caribbean plates

This location makes Haiti susceptible to earthquakes.

Question 19

What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck Haiti on 12th January 2010?

Answer 19

7.0

This earthquake was one of the most devastating in Haiti’s history.

Question 20

What was the depth of the earthquake’s focus during the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

Answer 20

13km

A shallow focus increases the severity of ground shaking.

Question 21

What phenomenon caused many foundations to sink during the earthquake in Haiti?

Answer 21

Liquefaction

This occurs on looser soil during seismic activity.

Question 22

How far was the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake from Port au Prince?

Answer 22

24km

Port au Prince is the capital of Haiti and home to millions.

Question 23

What type of country is Haiti classified as?

Answer 23

Developing country

This classification impacts its resources and infrastructure.

Question 24

What were Haiti’s limited resources primarily spent on, rather than earthquake preparations?

Answer 24

Immediate issues, such as disease

This prioritization affected disaster readiness.

Question 25

What issue contributed to the lack of resources and commitments to improve Haiti's infrastructure?

Answer 25

High rates of corruption ## Footnote Corruption can significantly hinder development efforts.

Question 26

What was a significant problem with the infrastructure in Port au Prince?

Answer 26

Poorly built due to lack of building controls and regulations ## Footnote This made structures more vulnerable to earthquake damage.

Question 27

What environmental factor made rescue efforts difficult in Port au Prince?

Answer 27

Dense urban environment ## Footnote This can hinder access and movement for rescue teams.

Question 28

What was a major limitation in Haiti's infrastructure after the earthquake?

Answer 28

Haiti only had 1 airport, several ports, and a few main roads ## Footnote Damage to these infrastructures prevented crucial aid supplies from arriving or being distributed effectively.

Question 29

What percentage of government officials were killed following the earthquake in Haiti?

Answer 29

Over 1/4 of government officials were killed ## Footnote This significant loss affected the government's ability to organize recovery and relief efforts.

Question 30

What outbreak occurred in Haiti in October 2010?

Answer 30

An outbreak of cholera occurred ## Footnote The outbreak was exacerbated by a lack of medical supplies and trained health care workers.

Question 31

By 2015, how many people had died from cholera in Haiti?

Answer 31

Over 9,000 Haitians had died ## Footnote Additionally, 720,000 people had been affected by the disease.

Question 32

How much international aid was donated to Haiti by 2015?

Answer 32

US$13 billion of aid had been donated ## Footnote Most of this aid remained in the hands of international organizations and governments.

Question 33

What percentage of aid was controlled by the Haitian government by 2015?

Answer 33

Less than 10% ## Footnote Concerns about political corruption and mismanagement led organizations to be reluctant to channel aid through the government.

Question 34

What was the impact of international organizations managing aid projects in Haiti?

Answer 34

Hampered Haiti's ability to become self-sufficient ## Footnote Minimal capital went to local businesses and industries due to organizations managing projects themselves.

Question 35

By 2015, how many Haitians were still living in temporary housing camps?

Answer 35

80,000 Haitians ## Footnote This situation highlighted the ongoing recovery challenges in the country.

Question 36

What improvements were noted in Haiti by 2015 despite ongoing challenges?

Answer 36

New buildings were built, roads, schools, and health stats have improved ## Footnote These developments indicate some progress in recovery efforts.

Question 37

What signs indicate that the Haitian government is increasing its capacity to cope with disasters?

Answer 37

The government has taken actions such as warning citizens to go to higher ground during Hurricane Sandy, which saved lives.

Question 38

What was the response of the Haitian government during Hurricane Sandy in 2013?

Answer 38

The government warned citizens to go to higher ground.

Question 39

What percentage of the Haitian population lived below the poverty line?

Answer 39

80% of the population.

Question 40

What is the low GDP per capita in Haiti?

Answer 40

US$1300.

Question 41

What percentage of the Haitian government's budget came from foreign aid?

Answer 41

30-40%.

Question 42

What were the conditions for access to safe water and sanitation in Haiti before the earthquake?

Answer 42

Only 39% had access to safe water and 24% to sanitation.

Question 43

What are some root causes of vulnerability in Haiti?

Answer 43

* Heavily in debt to US, German, and French banks * Extensive corruption within the government * High poverty rate * Dependence on foreign aid * Poor infrastructure due to debt repayments

Question 44

Fill in the blank: Haiti has to use little of its available money on debt repayments than improving the country's _______.

Answer 44

[infrastructure]

Question 45

True or False: The majority of buildings in Haiti were constructed on hard ground.

Answer 45

False.

Question 46

What type of ground amplified seismic waves in Haiti?

Answer 46

Soft ground.

Question 47

What magnitude earthquake struck Japan on March 11, 2011?

Answer 47

Magnitude 9

Question 48

Where did the earthquake occur in relation to Sendai?

Answer 48

100km east of Sendai

Question 49

What natural disaster followed the earthquake in Japan?

Answer 49

Tsunami

Question 50

At what speed did the tsunami waves travel?

Answer 50

Hundreds of km/hr

Question 51

How high did the tsunami waves reach in some places? Japan

Answer 51

10 meters high

Question 52

How far inland did the tsunami surge? Japan

Answer 52

Up to 10km

Question 53

What nuclear power plant was severely damaged during the disaster? Japan

Answer 53

Fukushima Daiichi

Question 54

How many people were forced to evacuate due to the radiation released?japan

Answer 54

47,000 people

Question 55

What financial capability did Japan have as a high-income country (HIC) regarding disaster preparedness?

Answer 55

Financial resources to prepare for a hazard event

Question 56

What percentage of buildings in Japan are constructed with earthquake resilience in mind?

Answer 56

75%

Question 57

What contributed to the enforcement of strict building regulations in Japan?

Answer 57

Low level of corruption

Question 58

What kind of disaster plans were developed in Japan for tsunami-prone areas?

Answer 58

10 metre high walls, evacuation shelters, marked evacuation routes

Question 59

What was equipped in many offices and homes in Japan for earthquake emergencies?

Answer 59

Earthquake emergency kits

Question 60

How much advance warning did the early warning system provide for the earthquake? In Japan

Answer 60

One minute

Question 61

What kind of drills are regularly practiced in schools and businesses in Japan?

Answer 61

Emergency drills

Question 62

True or False: The Fukushima power plant was built to withstand the large tsunami that occurred.

Answer 62

False

Question 63

What was a significant oversight by the government regarding the Fukushima disaster?

Answer 63

Lack of basic safety procedures