This presentation is by Kristen Downs from the University of North Carolina Water Institute and the US part of the DR3 team. This presentation was given on the Ignite Stage UNDRR Seventh Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022) and discusses a Vulnerability Index that gesticulates a common approach at the global level while supporting regional and country-level vulnerability efforts by governments and the UN. To date, there is a UNDP Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) developed for Small Island States. Using elements of existing indexes like the MVI, this presentation offers guidance for discussion which could inform other UN regions—perhaps aiding in the development of regional Vulnerability Indexes. A regional approach would recognise the different levels of development and the geographical challenges of those countries. From there, a Global Vulnerability Index could be aggregated from common elements within the regional indexes.
Some of the questions highlighted in this presentation are: (1) What would be the dimensions of vulnerability that should be considered?, (2) How can a process ensure that all the vulnerable groups are included in developing such Indexes?, (3) What data sources do we have and what additional sources might we need?, (4) How can benchmarking help countries to share their approaches and learn from each other?, and (5) How can this help identify policies and approaches that can build resilience in communities and in vulnerable groups?