ANNOUNCEMENTS
India, a country characterized by its vast geographical diversity, frequently experiences a range of natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, cyclones, and droughts. These disasters have intensified in frequency and severity, driven in part by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and unplanned development. The resultant economic damage is substantial, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimating that natural disasters cost India approximately 2% of its GDP annually. However, the consequences extend far beyond economic losses, profoundly affecting the social resilience of communities, especially the most vulnerable groups who already struggle with resource scarcity and lack of access to essential services.
This study seeks to explore the socio-economic consequences of natural disasters in India, particularly through the lens of multi-dimensional poverty. Traditional poverty measures, such as income-based assessments, often fail to capture the full scope of poverty experienced by affected populations. This research aims to understand howthese disasters impact the well-being of communities by studying the impact of occurrences of a naturally occurring event on the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI). By tracking shifts in the MPI at the district level, this study will provide critical insights into the compounded effects of natural disasters on poverty, inequality, and the socio-economic vulnerability of communities in disaster-prone areas. This research has the potential to inform policy measures that can improve resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to natural disasters in the future.
Key Words: multi-dimensional poverty index, vulnerability to poverty, flood impact, drought impact, storm impact, earthquake impact, social vulnerability index, natural disaster impact.
