Disasters, inequity, and social vulnerability: Building inclusive resilience

Time

1.00pm - 2.00pm AEDT

About

The Resilience Matters webinar series will focus on systems, environments and human factors that intersect to influence the varying levels of risk, harm and equity that people experience before, during and after a disaster. 

Presenters from a variety of research, government and community backgrounds will be invited to provide their insights and perspectives as we seek to understand how we can reduce harm in these systems to reduce disaster risk and build resilience.

Throughout the series, we will build on these foundational concepts. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you are an experienced practitioner or new to these concepts, or somewhere in between.

AIDR welcomes Bridget Tehan to lead a person-centred conversation about the intersection between disasters, inequality, and social vulnerability, and what we need to understand and action to build inclusive resilience.

Disasters are social as well as natural events : In Australia, hazards like bushfires, floods, and heatwaves interact with existing inequalities (including poverty, disability, gender, ethnicity, and health). This increases the likelihood of disaster impacts being unevenly distributed and experienced, especially for groups that are already disadvantaged.

Social vulnerability amplifies harm before, during, and after disasters : Limited housing choice, poor-quality housing, lack of insurance, health and mobility barriers, and reduced access to information make preparation, evacuation, and recovery significantly harder for socially vulnerable populations.

Inclusive, equity-focused disaster resilience saves lives : Addressing structural disadvantage, recognising intersectionality, and co-designing disaster planning with diverse communities leads to fairer, more effective, and more sustainable disaster risk reduction outcomes.

Guest Speaker

Bridget Tehan

Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Diplomacy,  
Australian Red Cross

Bridget Tehan works to provide advocacy, sector convening, and thought leadership. Bridget has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency management and disaster resilience policy and practice. She has significant expertise in community resilience, including in strengths, needs, and priorities of people who may be at greater risk before, during and after emergencies, as well as their needs in the mitigation, transition and adaptation to climate change. Bridget also has expertise in the role of community, social service and not for profit organisations in emergencies and disasters at local, grass roots and strategic levels.

Moderator:

John Richardson

Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR)