MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
SLIDE - Vulnerability
Vulnerability defines the characteristics of an individual or
group and their situation that influences their ability to
withstand, cope with and recover from the impact of hazards
and stresses.
People‟s livelihoods strongly determine their level of
vulnerability. People with secure and diversified livelihoods will
be better equipped to cope and recover than people with a
single productive activity and poor access to resources.
Discuss and clarify what participants understand by the term
“Hazard” as opposed to “disaster”
SLIDE – Hazard
Hazards are external factors or events that can impact on people’s
lives with the potential to affect wellbeing or to do harm – depending
on the circumstances in which they hit. Different types of hazards
include shocks such as floods (rapid onset) and stresses such as
changing rainfall patterns and droughts (slow onset).
We need to distinguish between the hazard (e.g. a flood) and the effects of the
hazard (e.g. drowning of people or destruction of homestead). In the case study,
drought (the hazard) had the effect of destroying Gilbert‟s livelihood. The end
result was a disaster for his family.
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 24