Inclusion

Women are more likely to be negatively affected by disasters like Hurricane Harvey, a study shows. Disasters exacerbate existing inequalities, meaning marginalized groups tend to get hit the hardest, by reinforcing raced, classed and gendered experiences. To tackle the issue, violence against women needs to be addressed more seriously before and in between disasters.

City engineers are working with the Dutch government on a long-term plan to let the water into New Orleans, drawing inspiration from Amsterdam. New Orleans has already invested in green infrastructure and has ambitions to include permeable ground materials and Dutch-style canals in the future.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI) and the Ministry of Education have launched the MOALI Disaster Risk Reduction Task Force and Drone Mapping Team. It strengthens the country's capacities in disaster management and towards the achievement of the SDGs. The information collected by the drones are used for understanding flood vulnerable communities.

Women are at higher risk of heat-related illness and death than men. Adding to the pre-existing vulnerable conditions for women, heat waves disproportionately affect the daily lives of women. Heat illnesses can be prevented through improving electrification and cook stoves, investment in indoor toilets, and raising awareness of heat-related health risks.

Though climate change influences hurricanes in terms of the ocean's temperature and changing wind patterns, what ultimately causes the disaster is people's vulnerability. Thus, what needs to be addressed is individuals' and society's responsibility for where and how we live, and how we support those who cannot support themselves.

While urban development in coastal flood zones begins to slow down in the United States, lack of awareness of inland flood zones results in continued development in some areas. Inland flood risk needs to be better communicated, as people moving from coastal areas to avoid floods might still end up in a vulnerable flood zones.

The discourse on disasters in Vietnam, as elsewhere, rarely includes the social, political and economic factors that are linked to the issue. These factors contribute to ethnic minorities' disadvantages as well as increased vulnerability to flooding. In order to reduce the risk, the root causes of disasters need to be addressed by listening to vulnerable people.

Cities in the South of the US have become more flood prone as they have grown, and now Hurricane Harvey highlights Houston's storm vulnerability. Recent construction with an increase of grey infrastructure, poor drainage systems and building regulations, are some of the factors that make the city especially vulnerable to flooding.