In 2020, the world and foremost vulnerable groups are facing “new” challenges. Dual crises of coexisting hazards like natural hazards occurring amid the COVID-19 pandemic has become more than a prediction. Hence, this thesis is a case study of dual crises and of how organisations and actors act upon those crises. With the aim to examine how the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) includes vulnerable groups in disaster risk reduction related matters amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a qualitative text analysis has been performed on the selection of five of UNDRR’s publications. Developed from the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction’s four ‘Priorities for Action’ guidelines, four analytical questions were asked to the material. The findings suggest that UNDRR does include vulnerable groups by mainly addressing the lack of resilience among vulnerable groups. However, a lack of concrete suggestions on how to strengthen vulnerable groups resilience and effective responses in the long term was noted. Due to the short time frame in which COVID-19 has existed, the research on vulnerable groups in dual crises of various hazards are still scarce, but nevertheless very much needed as to develop responses adapted towards both biological hazard and natural hazard impacts.

In a time characterized by climate change, we globally face significant challenges that require new approaches in urban planning. Increased temperatures and more frequent heatwaves will negatively impact our cities, people, and the climate, which increases complexity for professionals while residents suffer. Huddinge Municipality is located in the southern part of the Stockholm region in Sweden and faces future challenges with climate adaptation to increased temperatures and heatwaves. To identify existing obstacles and goal conflicts, focus group interviews and document studies have been conducted in Huddinge Municipality. This work aims to contribute to the broader understanding of climate adaptation to heat issues in a Swedish context. Through interviews with municipal officials and document studies, ongoing strategies and approaches have been identified in four Swedish municipalities. Three planning tools have been utilized: the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s four measures to reduce heat stress in the existing environment, the green space factor, and the 3-30-300 rule. The results show that the case studies have clear strategic guidelines on how to work with climate adaptation to increased temperatures but see difficulties in implementing these strategic guidelines in urban planning. Challenges and improvement suggestions identified by the case studies include a need for clearer guidelines from the national level in terms of changed policies and legislation, as well as suggestions for nature-based solutions that are adapted to a Swedish climate. The study concluded that Huddinge Municipality should implement the green space factor in block areas where heat-regulating ecosystem services are included for multifunctional spaces, guidelines for canopy coverage need to be developed and evaluated, and the perspective of vulnerable groups needs to be more clearly integrated into the planning process. The conclusion shows a need for organizational changes and clearer responsibilities in Huddinge Municipality, which means collaboration both internally and externally between administrations, developers, organizations, universities, and research institutes. / I en tid som präglas av klimatförändringar står vi globalt inför stora utmaningar som kräver nya tillvägagångssätt inom samhällsplaneringen. Ökade temperaturer och fler värmeböljor kommer att påverka våra städer, människor och klimatet negativt, detta ökar komplexiteten för yrkesverksamma samtidigt som invånare far illa. Huddinge kommun är beläget i södra delen av Stockholmsregionen i Sverige och står inför framtida utmaningar med klimatanpassning till ökade temperaturer och värmeböljor. För att identifiera rådande hinder och målkonflikter har fokusgruppsintervjuer och dokumentstudier genomförts i Huddinge kommun. Detta arbete syftar till att bidra till den stora bilden av klimatanpassning till värmeproblematik i en svensk kontext. Genom intervjuer med tjänstepersoner och dokumentstudier har pågående strategier och tillvägagångssätt identifierats i fyra svenska kommuner. Som utgångspunkt har tre planeringsverktyg tillämpats: Folkhälsomyndighetens fyra åtgärder för att minska värmestress i den befintliga miljön, grönytefaktorn samt 3-30-300. Resultatet visar att fallstudierna har tydliga strategiska riktlinjer kring hur de ska arbeta med klimatanpassning till ökade temperaturer, men ser svårigheter i att implementera dessa strategiska riktlinjer i samhällsplaneringen. Några av de utmaningar och förbättringsförslag som fallstudierna identifierade var behovet av tydligare riktlinjer från nationell nivå genom förändrad politik och lagstiftning samt effektiva naturbaserade lösningar anpassade till ett svenskt klimat. Studien har kommit fram till att Huddinge kommun bör implementera grönytefaktorn på kvartersmark där värmereglerande ekosystemtjänster inkluderas för multifunktionella ytor, riktlinjer för krontäckningsgrad behöver tas fram och utvärderas samt perspektivet kring sårbara grupper behöver tydligare integreras i planeringsprocessen. Slutsatsen visar ett behov av organisatoriska förändringar och tydligare ansvarsfördelning i Huddinge kommun, vilket innebär samverkan internt och externt, mellan förvaltningar, byggaktörer, organisationer, universitet och forskningsinstitut.

Natural disasters and hazards pose significant risks and challenges for people and communities all around the world, among the groups most vulnerable to these events are elderly populations who face physical, social, and psychological hardships in the face of disasters. The vulnerability and lacking resilience of elderly are a growing global concern as their proportion of the world's population is steadily increasing with an estimated 1 in 6 people being aged 65 and over by 2050, doubling the current number. The physical frailty, cognitive decline, sensory impairment, and economic disadvantage that often come paired with aging can make older adults more susceptible to harm in the face of natural disasters and social isolation, limited access to resources, and dependency on caregivers or family members further increase the risk of adverse outcomes for the elderly during and after a disaster. It is essential for the future to address the unique challenges faced by older populations in disaster situations and identify effective strategies to enhance their resilience and reduce their vulnerability. In Japan, with a rapidly aging society and increasing numbers of elderly individuals, the issue of disaster preparedness and response becomes even more pronounced. The current policies of individual self-reliance and community-based disaster management are heavily promoted as the way forward, but are these policies suitable and sufficient for elderly and vulnerable populations? This thesis seeks to explore whether these policies are suitable for the needs and realities of the increasing number of elderly and vulnerable individuals who are unable to take care of themselves in times of crisis.  Through an analysis of vulnerability and resilience, this thesis seeks to identify the key factors that contribute to the experiences of elderly people in disaster situations. By presenting a case study of Japan, the thesis aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policies and strategies in promoting resilience and reducing vulnerability among elderly populations in Japan. This thesis aims to provides a critical insight into the policies and strategies for promoting resilience and reducing vulnerability among elderly populations during disasters and to highlight the need to critically reflect on the suitability of current policies in relation to the the growing number of vulnerable elderly.

The concept of population ageing is a development issue that has received much attention due to the demographic transition that is occurring globally, marked by declining levels of fertility and mortality. Therefore, the implications of population ageing for older persons within the context of Social Development was examined from the perspective of government and non government officials. The study was confined to older persons and the policies and programmes implemented by the Department of Social Development. The study employed an exploratory research design within a qualitative paradigm. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were distributed to officials in the nine provinces. Thirty six questionnaires were received and qualitative methods of data analysis were used to analyse and interpret the data. The main finding of the study is that there is congruence in what government officials and the non government officials view as implications for older persons. Central to this is that the issue of ageing does not receive attention on the agenda of government. The top five priorities for older persons are healthy ageing, economic security, community/home based care services for older persons, having care and support systems for older persons and an improved quality of life/poverty alleviation. Based on the demographic determinants of population ageing, the findings are that there will be an increased demand for services for older persons which might place a strain on the social assistance and health care programmes. The issue of ageing was viewed positively as an opportunity by government officials and pessimistically as a challenge by NGO’s. The most common problems in old age is a reliance on the younger generation and or the state for their care and support, abuse, high levels of illiteracy and the burden of care for their children and grandchildren. The future older person is likely to be in better health and better educated than the older person of today if the necessary public investments are made now in these areas. The study makes recommendations for the adoption of a South African plan of action on ageing, inter-sectoral budgeting, development of specialised programmes, review of current policies and legislation for older persons, strengthening the partnership with the NGO sector and facilitating ageing mainstreaming within government programmes. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Development)

Students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) in South Africa face a number of challenges including psychological problems. These challenges have a strong bearing on the academic success of the students. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of psychological support services rendered to students at Majuba TVET College. Interviews were recorded verbatim and transcribed. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The themes used were derived from the research objectives and these were further divided into categories and sub-categories. The study found that the institution does provide psychological support services to the learner. The forms of psychological support include career counselling, pre-counselling, referral system, on-going counselling and peer counselling and mentoring. Improved academic performance, improved student attendance student retention and improved college certification rate are some of the benefits that can be realised from the effective utilisation of psychological support by the students. Various challenges hinder the effective utilisation of these psychological support services including, lack of qualified personnel, being understaffed, poor referral system, conflicting roles of staff, inadequate on-site counselling, low-prioritisation of psychological support by college management and limited access time. The participants highlighted the need for the institution to establish linkages with key stakeholders such as other TVET Colleges so as to have a platform for sharing vital information on psychological support. The participants were of the view that more qualified and registered staff should be hired to bolster the provision of psychological support to students. The referral system should be improved and the participants advocated for the services to be accessible around the clock. College management should show commitment to students’ welfare by prioritising and recognising student psychological support as pivotal to students’ academic success. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The concept of population ageing is a development issue that has received much attention due to the demographic transition that is occurring globally, marked by declining levels of fertility and mortality. Therefore, the implications of population ageing for older persons within the context of Social Development was examined from the perspective of government and non government officials. The study was confined to older persons and the policies and programmes implemented by the Department of Social Development. The study employed an exploratory research design within a qualitative paradigm. Semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were distributed to officials in the nine provinces. Thirty six questionnaires were received and qualitative methods of data analysis were used to analyse and interpret the data. The main finding of the study is that there is congruence in what government officials and the non government officials view as implications for older persons. Central to this is that the issue of ageing does not receive attention on the agenda of government. The top five priorities for older persons are healthy ageing, economic security, community/home based care services for older persons, having care and support systems for older persons and an improved quality of life/poverty alleviation. Based on the demographic determinants of population ageing, the findings are that there will be an increased demand for services for older persons which might place a strain on the social assistance and health care programmes. The issue of ageing was viewed positively as an opportunity by government officials and pessimistically as a challenge by NGO’s. The most common problems in old age is a reliance on the younger generation and or the state for their care and support, abuse, high levels of illiteracy and the burden of care for their children and grandchildren. The future older person is likely to be in better health and better educated than the older person of today if the necessary public investments are made now in these areas. The study makes recommendations for the adoption of a South African plan of action on ageing, inter-sectoral budgeting, development of specialised programmes, review of current policies and legislation for older persons, strengthening the partnership with the NGO sector and facilitating ageing mainstreaming within government programmes. / Sociology / M.A. (Development Studies)