In Mauritius, climate change and environmental hazards pose significant risks to vulnerable populations, exacerbating social inequalities and challenging access to essential resources. These groups often face the harshest impacts due to their limited adaptive capacities and reliance on climate-sensitive resources for their livelihoods. Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in Mauritius in the face of climate change requires targeted interventions that enhance their resilience and provide equitable access to resources. Policies must focus on creating robust social safety nets, improving infrastructure resilience in vulnerable areas, and ensuring inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies. By integrating the needs of these groups into broader climate adaptation and mitigation frameworks, Mauritius can safeguard not only the economic stability of the nation but also enhance the social fabric and overall resilience of its communities.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
Low-Income Communities: These groups often live in areas more susceptible to climate impacts, such as flood-prone zones or regions with inadequate water and infrastructure. Climate change exacerbates these conditions, leading to frequent displacement, loss of property, and increased difficulty in accessing clean water and sanitary facilities.
Elderly and Disabled Individuals: These segments of the population are particularly at risk during extreme weather events due to mobility limitations and higher susceptibility to adverse weather conditions. The elderly, for example, are more vulnerable to heatwaves and other extreme temperatures, while disabled individuals may face barriers in accessing emergency services and resources during disasters.
Farmers and Fishermen: As primary stakeholders in climate-sensitive sectors, these workers face direct impacts on their livelihoods. Changes in weather patterns, soil degradation, and depleted fish stocks due to warming oceans directly threaten their income stability and food security.
Women and Children: Women (especially pregnant women) in Mauritius often bear a disproportionate burden during climate crises, as they are typically responsible for gathering water and food for their families. Children, particularly those from poor families, face increased risks of malnutrition and disease linked to climate impacts, affecting their long-term health and educational prospects.
Economic and Infrastructure Interconnectedness
Economic Stability: The economic impact of climate change on vulnerable populations can be severe, with increased unemployment, higher living costs, and greater economic insecurity. These effects are compounded for those with fewer resources and less mobility, further entrenching poverty.
Public Health Infrastructure: Vulnerable groups often have less access to healthcare, making them more susceptible to climate-related health issues. This inadequate access is exacerbated during climate and hazard events, straining the already limited health services available to these populations.
Infrastructure and Housing: Inadequate infrastructure in areas populated by vulnerable groups leads to greater damage during disasters and slower recovery. This lack of resilient infrastructure makes it difficult for these populations to recover from the impacts, perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
Social Resilience: Social inequalities are magnified by the disparate impacts of climate change, where vulnerable groups have fewer opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. This lack of inclusion reduces their ability to advocate for necessary adaptations in policies and programs that could mitigate the impacts of climate change on their lives.
