Chapter 9: Case Studies
9.2. Case Studies
9.2.1. European Heat Waves of 2003 and 2006
9.2.1.2. Background/Context
9.2.1.2.1. Vulnerabilities to heat waves
Physiological: Several factors influence vulnerability to heat-related illness and death. Most of the research related to such vulnerability is derived from experiences in industrialized nations. Several physiological factors, such as age, gender, body mass index, and preexisting health conditions, play a role in the body’s ability to respond to heat stress. Older persons, babies, and young children have a number of physiological and social risk factors that place them at elevated risk, such as decreased ability to thermoregulate (the ability to maintain temperature within the narrow optimal physiologic range; Havenith, 2001). Preexisting chronic disease – more common in the elderly – also impairs compensatory responses to sustained high temperatures (Havenith, 2001; Shimoda, 2003). Older adults tend to have suppressed thirst impulse resulting in dehydration and increased risk of heat-related illness. In addition, multiple diseases and/or drug treatments increase the risk of dehydration (Hodgkinson et al., 2003; Ebi and Meehl, 2007).
9.2.3. Managing the Adverse Consequences of Drought
9.2.3.3. Description of Events
Drought has affected the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and herders, threatening food security and having negative consequences for entire families living in affected areas (FAO, 2009; UN, 2009). It is estimated that 1.3 million people have been affected by drought with up to 800,000 (75,641 households) being severely affected (FAO, 2009; UN, 2009). Of those severely affected, around 20% (160,000 people) are considered to be highly vulnerable, including female-headed households, pregnant women, children 14 and under, those with illness, the elderly, and the disabled (UN, 2009).
The United Nations (UN) estimates that a large number of the severely affected population are living below the poverty line (US$ 1/person/day) (UN, 2009). When combined with an increase in the price of food and basic resources, this reduced income has resulted in negative consequences for whole households (FAO, 2009). Many cannot afford basic supplies or food, which has led to a reduction in their food intake, the selling of assets, a rise in the rate of borrowing money, the degradation of land, urban migration, and children leaving school (FAO, 2009; UN, 2009; Solh, 2010). The UN assessment mission stated that the reasons for removing children from school included financial hardship, increased costs of transport, migration to cities, and the requirement for children to work to earn extra income for families (UN, 2009). Consequently, due to poor food consumption, the rates of malnutrition have risen between 2007 and 2008, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating a doubling of malnutrition cases among pregnant women and children under five (FAO, 2008). Due to inadequate consumption of micro- and macronutrients in the most-affected households, it has been estimated that the average diet contains less than 15% of the recommended daily fat intake and 50% of the advised energy and protein requirements (UN, 2009).
9.2.3.4. Interventions
The UN Syria Drought Response Plan was published in 2009. It was designed to address the emergency needs of, and to prevent further impact on, the 300,000 people most affected by protracted drought (FAO, 2009). The Response Plan identified as its strategic priorities the rapid provision of humanitarian assistance, the strengthening of resilience to future drought and climate change, and assisting in the return process and ensuring socioeconomic stability among the worst-affected groups (UN, 2009). Syria also welcomed international assistance provided to the drought-affected population through multilateral channels (Solh, 2010). Various loans to those affected, including farmers and women entrepreneurs, were provided (UN, 2009).
9.2.11. Early Warning Systems: Adapting to Reduce Impacts
9.2.11.2. Background
The Hyogo Framework for Action (UNISDR, 2010; Chapter 7) stresses that early warning systems should be “people centered” and that warnings need to be “timely and understandable to those at risk” and need to “take into account the demographic, gender, cultural, and livelihood characteristics of the target audiences.” “Guidance on how to act upon warnings” should be included. An early warning system is thus considerably more than just a forecast of an impending hazard.
