Join
room hire
need help?
Donate

Climate Disasters and Poverty: A Crisis within a crisis

October 13 is International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, and it happens to fall in Anti-Poverty Week. Sadly, much of the burden of disasters is borne by people already exposed to poverty.

For people living in poverty, climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it is driving disasters that threaten their property and financial security as well as their physical and mental health—it’s a crisis within a crisis.

The Unequal Impacts of Climate Disasters

When disaster strikes, those with resources can recover more quickly. Insurance, savings, and stable housing provide a buffer against shocks. But for people already struggling to make ends meet, climate disasters magnify existing hardships.

  • Housing insecurity: Families in low-income housing are often in the least resilient properties—poorly insulated, located in flood-prone areas, or unable to withstand extreme weather.
  • Rising costs: Disasters push up the price of food, fuel, and essentials. For households already budgeting down to the dollar, these increases can mean going without.
  • Health risks: Extreme heat worsens chronic health conditions, while smoke and pollution harm respiratory health. Without access to healthcare or cooling, low-income communities are hit hardest.

Poverty as a Barrier to Recovery

Recovery from disaster is not just about rebuilding—it’s about resilience. Yet poverty locks people into cycles where recovery is slow, partial, or impossible. After a flood, a family without insurance may lose everything. After a heatwave, medical bills may push people into debt. And after displacement, secure housing may be out of reach.

This means that climate disasters don’t just cause temporary disruption—they deepen and entrench poverty, creating generational impacts.

Building Fair and Resilient Communities

The intersection of poverty and climate change demands more than short-term responses. It requires systemic action to build resilience and ensure fairness:

  • Equitable adaptation planning: Governments must prioritise low-income communities in disaster planning and climate adaptation strategies.
  • Affordable and resilient housing in the right places: Investment in energy-efficient, disaster-resilient housing that is built in the right places ensures that vulnerable people are not put in harm’s way and left to pay the health and financial costs.
  • Accessible recovery support: Financial relief, insurance reform, and community-led recovery models can help ensure no one is left behind after disaster.
  • Stronger social safety nets: Adequate income support, connected communities and coordinated services allow people to prepare and recover from disasters with dignity and stability.

Why This Matters for All of Us

Climate disasters remind us that we are deeply interconnected. When inequality leaves parts of our community more exposed, the ripple effects are felt across society. Food supply chains, housing markets, health systems, and local economies all depend on building resilience for everyone—not just those who can afford it.

If we want a just and sustainable future, tackling poverty must be at the heart of our climate response. Because in the face of disasters, fairness is resilience.

 

– The PaIRE Team

Scroll to Top

JEREMY BROWN

Jeremy is currently the Chief Executive at Uniting Communities and is deeply committed to cultivating a strong, values-driven organisational culture that places people and community at its core. His leadership style is grounded in empathy, innovation, and strategic growth, ensuring that Uniting Communities continues to deliver inclusive and impactful services to more than 80,000 South Australians each year.

His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Novita Services and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Care (SA). He has also had a long-standing association with SACOSS where he served as a member of their Policy Council.

MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.