Evaluate response strategies — HIC vs LIDC

Question (8 marks + 4 SPaG = 12): 'Strategies to manage the impacts of tropical cyclones are far more effective in developed countries than in developing countries.' To what extent do you agree? Use named examples to support your answer.

Mark scheme (8 marks content + 4 SPaG):

• Level 1 (1–2): Simple agree/disagree, limited evidence.
• Level 2 (3–5): Some balanced argument, one named example.
• Level 3 (6–8): Reasoned evaluation, two named contrasting examples, explicit judgement.

Agree (effectiveness in HICs):

• Forecasting: US National Hurricane Center tracked Katrina 5 days ahead; mandatory evacuation reduced deaths.
• Engineering: Post-Katrina, $14.5 bn Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System; IHNC Lake Borgne Surge Barrier (2.9 km).
• Building codes: Florida Building Code (post-Andrew 1992) requires hurricane straps and impact glass.
• Insurance and federal recovery funds (FEMA).

Disagree (limits / LIDC successes):

• Katrina still caused 1,833 deaths and $125 bn damage — HIC management is not flawless; structural inequality (Lower Ninth Ward) magnified social impact.
• Bangladesh Cyclone Preparedness Programme (LIDC) reduced cyclone deaths from 300,000 (1970 Bhola) to ~5 (Cyclone Fani 2019) using 12,000 volunteers + 14,000 cyclone shelters → low-cost, very effective.
• Mozambique's Beira Municipal Recovery and Resilience Plan (2019, World Bank-supported) shows LIDCs can plan resilience when funded.

Conclusion (judgement required for L3):

• Largely agree because HICs have greater technological, financial, and institutional capacity. However, effectiveness is not solely about wealth: governance, community preparedness, and international support matter. Bangladesh shows that cheap, well-organised early-warning saves more lives per dollar than expensive HIC engineering. Therefore agreement is qualified.

SPaG (4 marks): Accurate spelling, punctuation, grammar; wide range of specialist terminology (storm surge, vulnerability, resilience, mitigation, adaptation, levee, mangrove).