Compound Hazards Recording

Compound hazards — when multiple hazards occur simultaneously, or one after another — have come to prominence as countries manage climate and disaster risks while continuing to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The impacts of climate change, including climate variability and more frequent and intense natural hazards, are increasing the complexity of the disaster ‘riskscape’ across Asia and the Pacific, and particularly for the urban poor. Density, poor urban services, the absence of green spaces and environmental management, and the built environment can increase the vulnerability of the urban poor to compound hazards. A better understanding of the nature of compound hazards and the implications on urban development is needed.

This session explored the increasing complexity and uncertainty that compound hazards present in urban settings in Asia and the Pacific and discuss the impacts this has on the urban poor. Recognizing that rural-urban migration is not always voluntary, the challenges of urban internal displacement and the migration of rural poor seeking opportunities in cities will be examined.