Can Disaster-Affected Communities be Both ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Resilient’ Simultaneously? Necessity for an Alternative Framing of ‘Vulnerability’ Conceptualisations within Disaster Scholarship in Sri Lanka

The complexity of the concept of vulnerability, particularly within the context of disaster scholarship, remains inadequately defined and explored. Presently, the term has evolved into a buzzword that often overlooks the remarkable resources, capacities, and resilience present within vulnerable communities. This paper aims to dissect the notion of ‘vulnerability’ among disaster-affected populations in Sri Lanka, specifically focusing on those impacted by floods and droughts. The analysis is grounded in three distinct studies conducted over varying periods: 2016-2017, 2020-2021, and 2023-2024. These studies targeted flood and drought-affected communities in the Colombo, Galle, and Rathnapura districts. Methodologically, the research employed surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with affected individuals. Utilizing Wisner et al.’s model of 'Progression of Vulnerability,' this paper contextualizes the contemporary understanding of vulnerability in Sri Lanka. The paper indicates that, while vulnerability analysis frequently seeks to identify the root causes of disasters, it often neglects the socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions that exacerbate disaster risk. The literature tends to focus on the deficiencies and perceived incapacity of affected communities, inadvertently shifting the blame onto disaster-impacted individuals. This raises critical questions regarding the systemic inequalities and complexities that hinder these communities' abilities to address their vulnerabilities. Moreover, the prevailing framework tends to homogenize affected groups, labelling them as poor or low-income, without adequately investigating historical injustices or structural inequalities. Importantly, this perspective disregards the proactive agency that these communities can demonstrate in times of crises, which is fundamentally linked to the concept of community resilience. Hence, there is a need for understanding the complexities of vulnerability as an alternative approach to it. Without emphasizing such complexities, one cannot fully understand its depth, cultural influence and contextual variance.