Indicator Shocks to Vulnerability and Social Welfare in District Level, South Ethiopia

The term vulnerability generally refers to exposure to incidents and stress, and difficulty in coping with them. Analyzing vulnerability involves identifying not only the threat but also the resilience or responsiveness in exploiting the opportunities and resisting or recovering from the negative effects of the changing environment (Moser, 1998). The most common methods employed in measuring vulnerability are econometric and indicator methods. In this study indicator method was employed. The indicator method of quantifying vulnerability is based on selecting some indicators from the whole set of potential indicators and then systematically combining the selected shocks to indicate the levels of vulnerability. Furthermore, the prevalence of shocks at district level in the region is not studied yet. As a result, it remains very difficult to give relevant information, which could be used to design appropriate intervention, to policy makers and development partners. The survey result shows that 22.8 percent of the total households are vulnerable to different shocks with 4.8 standard deviation. Among the major shocks, family member illness takes the lead. It affects about 43.3 percent of the households with 2.83 standard score. Thus families need to spend their time and money to take care of the patient. The situation is more exacerbated especially if it is the household head that gets sick. The other shock, Price rise of food items affects 27.1 percent of the households with 1.45 standard score. Food shortage is also the other shock that affects 15 percent of the households in the region with 0.4 standard score. Reduced income of household member is identified as a significant indicator of vulnerability in some zones. Food shortage/drought is also identified as a serious indicator of vulnerability in some zones namely, Gamo Gofa (with standard score, 3.18), Halaba Special woreda (1.79), Wolayita ( 1.53), and South Omo (1.08).