Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a tool used to measure how prepared communities are to handle emergencies like natural disasters or health crises. It looks at factors such as income, education, housing, transportation, and access to healthcare to identify populations that may face greater challenges during emergencies. By highlighting these vulnerabilities, the SVI helps officials plan and allocate resources more effectively, ensuring support reaches those who need it most. Essentially, it provides a snapshot of a community's social strengths and weaknesses related to disaster resilience.