Finding 1: Prolonged vulnerability

The overwhelming majority of displaced populations continue to be vulnerable to disasters and conflict years after their initial displacement.

Two-thirds of those interviewed stated that they continue to be affected by disasters. They continue to face ongoing hazards – especially in the immediate years after leaving their home. Those displaced less than three years perceive consequences of the risks they face to be flooding, economic and livelihood loss, and shelter destruction. The biggest loss to them in these ‘new’ disasters was said to be through loss/damage of housing and the loss of livelihood. 

Mapping displaced persons

Mapping shows displaced persons living in vulnerable environments that only increase in their level of risk over time. The following maps highlight a displaced population in Kathmandu, Nepal. Over time, the population density and information dwellings increase alongside the river, and the site itself does not protect from the threat of disasters. 

Hazards faced by people living in informal settlements

In March 2021, one third of those living in this informal settlement felt that their biggest risk was flash floods. Unfortunately, in September 2021 this risk was realised when 85 households felt the devastating effect of approximately 105mm of rainfall within three hours. This resulted in a flash flood in the Bagmati River. Water entered their settlement through the weep holes and construction joints on the embankment wall, with further water running off the adjacent road submerging the settlement. CSO staff commented, “They told us flash flooding was a risk during the VFL Lite survey but no one imagined it could happen to the extent in which it did.”

Impact of Covid-19 in urban areas

Finally, desk research highlighted the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on displaced communities in urban areas. Not only are they more likely to contract the disease due to over-crowded living spaces, often without good water and sanitation infrastructure, the threat was compounded by their lack of access to basic health services. Furthermore, “The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded a pre-existing culture of distrust, xenophobia and intolerance towards minorities, including migrants. This aggravates migrants’ feelings of isolation and overall leads to further exclusion – in multiple dimensions – from the rest of society.”