Inclusive Resilience: Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI)

This research is part of the Inclusive Resilience: Driving Risk Awareness to Action and Building Resiliency for Vulnerable Canadians in High-Risk Areas project, funded by the Canadian Red Cross. The Canadian Red Cross engaged Partners for Action at the University of Waterloo to research socio-economic vulnerability in order to better understand who may be most impacted by natural hazards like floods, wildfires, and earthquakes. 

P4A has developed a Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) that combines Canadian Census variables with flood exposure data to produce web-based GIS maps. This SoVI can help identify specific geographic areas within communities that will most likely need support before, during, and after hazardous events which are becoming more common and intense with climate change.

Flood risk is partly due to social vulnerability. Understanding and mapping the drivers of this vulnerability is critical for developing inclusive policies that reduce risk and strengthen resilience for all Canadians.  P4A researchers developed a cutting-edge Canadian SoVI methodology to overlay with flood exposure analysis to identify areas of high and moderate risk. The result is web-based maps of six communities: Richmond, BC; Thompson, MB; Ottawa / Renfrew, ON; Moose Factory, ON; Ottawa, ON/ Gatineau, QC; Bay St. George, NFLD. These maps can be used to inform policies and programs that help facilitate targeted solutions and the adoption of risk-based hazard management strategies across Canada. 

Read the Report (COMING SOON)

Inclusive Resilience: A socio-economic vulnerability index to map flood risk for targeted communications and disaster risk reduction | FRENCH TITLE

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If you have any questions about this study or are interested in collaborating on a project, please contact:

Sharmalene Mendis-Millard
Director
sharmalene.mendis-millard@uwaterloo.ca