title: Vulnerability to typhoon hazards in the coastal informal settlements of Metro Manila, the Philippines.
abstract: In many low- and middle-income countries informal communities-also termed slum and squatter areas-have become a dominant and distinct form of urban settlement, with ever increasing populations. Such communities are often located in areas of high hazard exposure and frequently affected by disasters. While often recognised as one of the highest 'at risk' populations, this paper will argue that informal settlers have been directly and indirectly excluded from many formal mechanisms, thereby increasing their vulnerability to disaster events. Household surveys were conducted across several frequently flooded informal coastal communities in Metro Manila, the Philippines, following a major typhoon and storm surge disaster. The study revealed a large level of diversity in socio-economic vulnerability, although all households faced similar levels of physical exposure and physical vulnerability. Disaster risk reduction policies and responses need to better integrate informal settlement areas and recognise the diversity within these communities.
authors.affiliation: Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, The World Bank, Washington, DC, United States. vmorin@worldbank.org.
authors.forename: Véronique M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Mokbul Morshed
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pennung
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warnitchai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D055868:Floods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Metro Manila; disaster risk; informal settlement; typhoon and storm surge hazards; urban; vulnerability