Household Vulnerability and Preparedness for Disasters in Haiti

This World Bank Policy Research Working Paper analyzes household vulnerability and disaster preparedness in Haiti using unique data from High-Frequency Phone Surveys conducted in 2021, 2022, and 2023. The research examines socioeconomic factors that correlate with natural hazard vulnerability in a country particularly susceptible to disasters due to its geographical location and preexisting fragilities. The study reveals that Haiti experienced at least 44 natural hazards in the last decade, with the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people being the most catastrophic.

The findings indicate exceptionally high exposure to multiple hazards across Haiti's territory, with 76 percent of individuals living in households facing three or more hazards in 2023, compared to 69 percent in 2022. Rural households consistently report higher exposure to multiple hazards than urban households. The most commonly reported threats include cyclones, heat waves, droughts, and extreme rainfall, with around 50 percent or more of respondents living in households threatened by each type of hazard. Notably, the percentage of households reporting earthquake threats increased by nearly 50 percentage points by the end of 2022 compared to 2021.

The research demonstrates significant disparities in vulnerability based on socioeconomic status. Households in the bottom two wealth quintiles are substantially less likely to have necessary supplies for adequate disaster preparation and response compared to upper quintiles. The study identifies education level of household heads and internet access as key factors correlated with better disaster preparedness. These findings highlight the critical importance of addressing socioeconomic inequalities when developing disaster resilience strategies, with policy recommendations focusing on improving preparedness among the most vulnerable households while promoting education and internet access to enhance overall community resilience.