ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief conceptual analysis of how the Human Security Paradigm contrasts with the paradigm suggested by the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security. It also focuses on vulnerability through a consideration of Hurricane Katrina. The US government preparation, response, and recovery actions attendant to Hurricane Katrina lacked much according to the Human Security Paradigm. The chapter then returns to the differences between the Human Security and Homeland Security paradigms, to consider human security and vulnerable populations in terms of how deep structural factors in society combine with inadequate disaster preparation. It suggests that vulnerable populations could become less vulnerable to disaster through the work of existing women's groups. At present, the United Nation affirms and focuses on human beings in vulnerable populations, whereas that affirmation and focus is either absent in some rich countries or it depends on contentious political discussion and outcomes.
