Understanding Disaster Resilience: Insights from Low-Income Communities in Puerto Rico

Student

Yoyo Wang

College(s)

Mendoza College of Business

Faculty Advisor

Sisi Meng

Class Year

2024

Abstract

As the frequency and intensity of climate change-related disasters continue to rise globally, this project seeks to address the urgent need to improve disaster resilience for low- income communities in Puerto Rico. By integrating literature reviews, empirical studies, and household survey data, the study identifies high levels of concern among residents about
natural disasters, coupled with low levels of preparedness and inadequate actions for
resilience. Specifically, vulnerabilities were most pronounced among the elderly, those with lower educational attainment, childless and unemployed individuals, and residents of flood- prone areas. Furthermore, the research highlighted a significant gap in insurance coverage across similar demographics. These insights inform several policy recommendations aimed at
enhancing disaster resilience. Key suggestions include the development of affordable
insurance plans with rapid payouts, specifically through microinsurance policies tailored to
the needs of vulnerable populations. Additionally, the study advocates for universal
preparedness education that emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility for all community
members, ensuring that resilience-building efforts are broadly implemented. The research
underscores the critical need for targeted interventions to improve disaster preparedness and
response among Puerto Rico's low-income households. By addressing the specific
vulnerabilities and challenges identified, these policy recommendations aim to foster a more
resilient and supportive infrastructure for facing natural disasters in Puerto Rico and similar
settings.

Introduction

Climate change-related disasters, including hurricanes, are becoming increasingly
serious threats around the globe. The warming of the planet due to greenhouse gas emissions
is leading to more frequent and intense weather events, causing devastating impacts on
communities and economies. According to the National Centers for Environmental
Information, in 2022, there were 18 weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1
billion each to affect the United States, and the annual average has risen from 7.9 events to
17.8 events in the past five years (NCEI, 2022).

Community resilience towards disasters is crucial for sustainability because disasters
can have long-lasting effects on communities, especially those that are vulnerable or
marginalized. When a community is not resilient, it can suffer severe economic, social, and
environmental consequences that can have an impact on the sustainability of the community
in the long run.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also recognize the importance of building
community resilience towards disasters (UN, 2015). Goal 11 focuses on making cities and
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This goal acknowledges the
importance of building resilient communities that can withstand the impact of disasters and
maintain sustainability in the long run. In addition, other SDGs, such as SDG 1 (No Poverty),
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), are all interconnected with community
resilience towards disasters. When a community is resilient, it is better able to achieve these
SDGs, as it can maintain sustainable development, provide basic needs, and reduce the impact
of climate change.

Low-income coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to the intensifying threats
posed by climate change disasters due to a combination of socio-economic challenges and
geographic predispositions. Specifically, Puerto Rico is a particularly suitable location for
researching community resilience towards disasters due to its exposure to natural disasters,
such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. The island is situated in the middle of the Atlantic hurricane belt, making it highly vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes (See Figure 1). In September 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, a category 5 storm that caused widespread devastation across the island, with an estimated 3,000 deaths and billions
of dollars in damage. In addition to Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico has also been impacted by earthquakes, such as the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck in January 2020.