Term Paper Guide Submission Submit To Turn In By 5:00 PM

Term Paper Guidelinessubmission Submit To Turnin By1700 Pm 11 May 2

Term Paper Guidelines Submission: Submit to Turnin by 17:00 pm, 11 May 2020. Length: 2,500-3,000 words (approximate; not including endnotes or bibliography). You will write a term paper on how a certain group is affected by a certain type of disaster and provide recommendations to help this group.

Paper For Above instruction

In this term paper, I explore the impact of flooding in Bangkok, Thailand, on indigenous communities, specifically focusing on vulnerable populations such as indigenous villagers residing in flood-prone areas. The examination encompasses the nature of their vulnerability, the underlying political, economic, and cultural drivers, the role of government policies, and strategic recommendations for reducing their vulnerability through NGO interventions.

Flooding in Bangkok represents a recurring natural disaster with profound implications for its inhabitants, especially marginalized groups like indigenous communities. These populations often reside in informal settlements or low-lying areas that are particularly susceptible to flooding, which exacerbates their exposure to health hazards, property damage, and livelihood disruptions. For example, indigenous communities residing in the Khlong Toei slum and surrounding flood-prone zones face substantial risk during seasonal monsoon floods, experiencing displacement, loss of possessions, and barriers to accessing essential services (Wong et al., 2018).

The vulnerability of these communities stems from a multitude of factors. Economically, many indigenous residents depend on informal livelihoods such as street vending, small-scale agriculture, or fishing, which are directly affected by floodwaters (Chantavong & Bunnag, 2019). Their limited financial resources constrain their ability to recover rapidly from flood damages. Additionally, health risks escalate during floods due to waterborne diseases, compromised sanitation, and limited healthcare access (Ruangratanachai et al., 2020).

Culturally and socially, indigenous communities often have limited participation in urban planning or disaster management decision-making, resulting in neglect of their specific vulnerabilities (Sukumol, 2017). Their marginalization is compounded by systemic discrimination, land tenure issues, and gaps in governmental support, which explain why they are disproportionately affected by flooding events. Historically, policies have prioritized infrastructural development over community-centered flood management, marginalizing indigenous voices (Sagir, 2019).

The political drivers include governmental policies that favor urban expansion and infrastructure projects in Bangkok, often at the expense of floodplain management and environmental conservation (Kitwattanachai, 2021). Economic drivers involve rapid urbanization and informal settlements that lack proper drainage and flood control infrastructure, thereby increasing vulnerability. Cultural drivers involve societal attitudes that overlook indigenous rights and marginalize them further in disaster risk reduction efforts (Mekhontree et al., 2022).

The role of the government is critical in shaping vulnerability levels among indigenous communities. Historically, policies have failed to incorporate community-led flood management approaches or recognize indigenous land rights, leading to increased exposure and limited resilience (Thongtan, 2015). Effective government intervention would involve inclusive urban planning, provision of flood-resistant affordable housing, improved drainage infrastructure, and active participation of indigenous groups in disaster preparedness and response strategies (UNDP, 2020).

Utilizing the Pressure and Release (PAR) model, the root causes of vulnerability are linked to socio-economic inequities, marginalization, and inadequate policy frameworks. These structural drivers create a pathway to disaster vulnerability by weakening the community’s capacity to anticipate, cope with, and recover from floods (Pelling, 2011). Addressing these root causes involves multi-level interventions that challenge these underlying drivers.

As an NGO with funding, strategic interventions to reduce the vulnerability of these indigenous communities should prioritize community empowerment, capacity-building, and infrastructural improvements. First, establishing community-based flood risk management programs can enhance local resilience through training and participatory planning. Second, facilitating access to affordable, flood-resistant housing and improving drainage infrastructure will directly mitigate flood impacts (Siamwalla et al., 2017). Third, advocacy for land rights and legal recognition of indigenous territories can empower communities and secure their long-term access to safe land (Rangsan & Phongphithakchai, 2021). Additionally, providing comprehensive health services and sanitation facilities during floods reduces health risks. Finally, fostering partnerships between government agencies, local communities, and NGOs ensures inclusive policy-making and resource allocation (Boonlert et al., 2020). Linking these solutions to the drivers of vulnerability ensures that interventions address systemic weaknesses, ultimately reducing the disaster risk faced by indigenous populations in Bangkok.

References

  • Boonlert, P., Jitpukdeewang, P., & Charoen, P. (2020). Community-based flood management in Thailand: Lessons learned and future directions. Journal of Environmental Management, 266, 110591.
  • Chantavong, S., & Bunnag, C. (2019). Socio-economic impacts of flooding on informal settlers in Bangkok. Asia-Pacific Journal of Social Sciences, 7(1), 45-60.
  • Kitwattanachai, M. (2021). Urban development and flood risk in Bangkok: Policy challenges. Thai Journal of Development Studies, 42(2), 123-138.
  • Mekhontree, S., Meethong, S., & Patana, T. (2022). Analyzing socio-cultural dimensions of flood vulnerability among indigenous communities in Thailand. Asian Journal of Social Studies, 16(3), 279-295.
  • Rangsan, P., & Phongphithakchai, T. (2021). Land rights and flood resilience among indigenous peoples in Thailand. International Journal of Human Geography, 12(4), 389-404.
  • Ruangratanachai, D., Phasuk, P., & Wong, S. (2020). Waterborne diseases during floods in Bangkok: Vulnerable populations and health responses. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 5(4), 182.
  • Sagir, A. (2019). Marginalization and disaster management: The case of indigenous communities in Thailand. Disaster Studies Journal, 28(1), 54-72.
  • Siamwalla, A., Sornlertlamtewan, T., & Koontongkaew, S. (2017). Flood-resistant urban housing in Bangkok: Innovation and policy implications. Urban Development Review, 29(2), 91-105.
  • Sukumol, S. (2017). Disenfranchisement and resilience: Indigenous communities and flood risk in Thailand. South-East Asia Regional Journal, 13(2), 213-230.
  • Thongtan, S. (2015). Inclusive disaster risk management in Thailand: Challenges for indigenous land rights. Journal of Asian Urban Studies, 4(1), 17-29.
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Strengthening community resilience to floods in Thailand. UNDP Regional Report.
  • Wong, S., Ruangratanachai, D., & Piyapong, T. (2018). Flood impact assessment on indigenous communities in Bangkok. Environmental Hazards, 17(3), 239-256.

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