The latest World Risk Poll resilience report by Lloyd’s Register Foundation has uncovered stark disparities in how different regions and demographics are coping with an increasingly turbulent world shaped by climate change and technological advancements. Surveying perceptions of risk across 142 countries, the report provides critical insights into how individual concerns, fears, and hopes vary across social groups and contexts.
The 2023 data shows that 30% of people worldwide have personally experienced a natural hazard-related disaster in the past five years, up from 27% in 2021. This rising trend underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and resilience strategies globally.
Key Findings
The most vulnerable groups, including those over 50, the unemployed, and those in the lowest 20% income bracket, consistently score lowest on the Resilience Index. Countries outside the OECD, especially those experiencing recent profound shocks, have also seen significant declines in resilience.
Ecuador and Morocco witnessed the most significant declines in resilience (seven points each) due to distinct reasons, Ecuador’s surge in drug-related violence and Morocco’s large earthquake in September 2023. In Morocco, individual and household resilience saw a notable decrease, whereas in Pakistan and New Zealand, community and societal resilience were more adversely affected by major flooding.
Conversely, countries like Burkina Faso, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine saw resilience increases, potentially due to a “rally round the flag” effect amidst conflict-related instability, enhancing national cohesion and community spirit.
While higher-income countries generally exhibit greater overall resilience, low-income countries often demonstrate stronger community cohesion. For example, Lebanon, despite its weak government, shows high resilience at the community and household levels due to strong local networks and coping strategies.
Implications for Future Preparedness
The report highlights the complexity of resilience and the varying impacts of crises on different levels of society. It emphasizes the need for tailored disaster risk reduction strategies that consider the unique social, economic, and political contexts of each country.
The World Risk Poll raises several questions for further investigation, such as:
- The reasons behind the significant declines in household resilience in Eastern Europe.
- The potential benefits of conflict in boosting certain aspects of resilience, despite its adverse effects on individual and household levels.
The poll serves as a baseline for measuring future changes in resilience, providing valuable data for policymakers and disaster risk reduction practitioners. Future iterations will continue to shed light on the factors influencing preparedness and confidence, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities worldwide. World Risk Poll Reveals Global Disparities in Resilience Amidst Increasing Climate Threats
Reference: https://www.preventionweb.net/news/press-release-world-risk-poll-2024-report