natural disaster's affect on poverty
DESCRIPTION
Power Point for FSHN342TRANSCRIPT
NATURAL DISASTER'S AFFECT ON POVERTY AND
IMPORTANCE OF AID
by Andrew Fausch
Why are Natural disasters worse for the poor?
Developing nations/ impoverished people more vulnerable to devastation
lack of application of building standards or land use planning
deterioration of older inner city building structures disaster preparedness and early warning are non-
existent health coverage usually weak or not easily accessible poor have very little to fall back on
Does our aid help when natural disasters strike? ex. Hurricane Mitch, Honduras
Hurricane Mitch, Honduras 1998 Study done by Saul S. Morris and Quentin Wodon
5,657 people killed, 1/3 of people suffered significant economic damage
Within 30 days US had delivered 2 million pounds of food, 115,000 pounds of medicine, 97,000 pounds of water, and 600,000 pounds of other supplies.
Study concluded that those incurring the most losses received the most aid.
Poorest Honduran's received the aid they needed
Effect of Natural Disaster to Impoverished Ethiopians
study done by Michael Carter et. Al
Are households able to quickly reestablish their livelihoods and the assets needed to support them? Or is recovery slow and drawn out? Ethiopian drought, 1998-2000 Much longer and drawn out in comparison to a
hurricane or earthquake 90% loss of crops Short term fix- massive amounts of food aid arrived Major livestock loss going forward (during drought
farmers sold their livestock at less than 50% market value)
Study showed that the extreme poor reestablished their livelihoods quickly compared to more well off Ethiopians
Conclusion/ Reaction
-At first Surprised. Going into the assignment I thought I would read about how the poorest of the poor are the ones that suffer the most hardships and can't pick themselves back up.
After reading explanations it makes a lot more sense. Those with more to lose are going to lose more. You can't lose what you don't have
Getting back what you had is easier when you never had much to begin with.
Ethical Theories
Categorical Imperative- If some have access to the means of survival then all should have access to the means of survival.
Rights- (universal) All people should have the right to food, water, ability to recover from devastation, livelihood.
Utilitarianism- Seek the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. Optimizing happiness in a society while minimizing pain.
Intuition- We know in our hearts that it is right to help people that are impoverished and need our help. Showing beneficence, doing good.
Works Cited
Carter M, Little P, Mogues T, Negatu W. 2006. Poverty Traps and Natural Disasters in Ethiopia and Honduras. Science Direct. Retrieved from web 29 July 2012 from http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy.lib.iastate.edu/science/article/pii/S0305750X07000149
Environment News Service. 2004. Natural Disasters Deadlier in Poor Countries. Retrieved from web 29 July 2012 from http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2004/2004-02-04-04.html
Morris S, Wodon Q. 2003. The Allocation of Natural Disaster Relief Funds: Hurricane Mitch in Honduras. Science Direct. Retrieved from web 29 July 2012 from http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy.lib.iastate.edu/science/article/pii/S0305750X0300072X