The study investigates the impact of short-term weather shocks on poverty in Paraguay, highlighting that heat shocks reduce household income by 5% in urban areas and 8.8% in rural ones. Furthermore, it unveils that floods increase urban poverty by 1.9 percentage points. The research identifies vulnerable populations, particularly female-headed households, needing focused adaptation strategies to combat climate challenges.
In Paraguay, poverty alleviation efforts have encountered significant challenges since 2014, primarily attributed to a slowdown in economic growth influenced by climate-related disturbances. This study delves into how short-term weather shocks, particularly heat and floods, have impacted household incomes and poverty levels across different regions of Paraguay. Utilizing a robust dataset that includes the Permanent Continuous Household Survey and climate data from 2004 to 2019, the analysis reveals that heat shocks have led to considerable declines in income, with urban households experiencing a 5 percent reduction and rural households facing an 8.8 percent decrease. Furthermore, these shocks have fueled a rise in poverty rates, particularly in rural areas. Flooding has predominantly affected urban households, amplifying poverty by approximately 1.9 percentage points. It is evident that the ramifications of these climatic shocks disproportionately affect vulnerable segments of the population. Female-headed households in rural regions exhibit heightened susceptibility to heat shocks, while those engaged in agriculture suffer significantly from both heat and drought impacts. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for tailored adaptation and climate risk management strategies that address the specific needs of vulnerable subpopulations, thereby bolstering national resilience against climate-induced challenges.
Since 2014, Paraguay has faced stagnation in poverty reduction linked to economic growth slowdown, with climate-related events proposed as contributory factors. Despite the known implications of climate change, there remains limited understanding of its direct impact on impoverished communities. This study seeks to bridge that gap by examining the correlation between short-term weather phenomena and their adverse effects on poverty and income within varying socioeconomic contexts across Paraguay.
This research reveals that short-term weather shocks, particularly heat and floods, have profound effects on income and poverty levels in Paraguay, with significant regional disparities. It indicates that adaptation strategies must be developed to cater to specific vulnerabilities among different household types, especially in rural settings. Such targeted interventions will be crucial for enhancing resilience and mitigating the impact of climate-related stresses on the poorest populations.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
