Understanding preparedness for natural hazards: a cross cultural comparison (original) (raw)
Related papers
Applying cultural values to encourage disaster preparedness: Lessons from a low-hazard country
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
We present results from the CARISMAND project, 1 which investigated the relationships between risk perception and cultural factors in man-made and natural disasters. The present study focused on attitudes, feelings and perceptions in a"low-risk" country, the island of Malta. This research location was chosen due to its unique geographical and geo-political position. In combination with the low level of prevalent disaster risk, it can be seen to be particularly suitable for elucidating cultural factors which are strong enough to generate behavioural change in such an environment and allow further insight into the relationship between risk perception, culture and behaviour. The data were collected during a Citizen Summit (held in Malta in 2016) which combined quantitative inquiry, for measuring cognitive and emotional responses related to risk perception, with qualitative methods that follow the "fluid" character of culture. We found that disaster risk perception showed only weak links to preparedness intentions, supporting other published results. Focus group discussions revealed several cultural traits, most prominently strong family values and social cohesion, which was also supported by the quantitative data. Furthermore, we found evidence of how personal values are transformed into cultural values, and how these can work in favour, or against, a motivation to prepare for disasters. Our results suggest that integrating shared local values, shared everyday experiences, and shared local memories in risk communication strategies and behavioural guidelines may be effective in encouraging citizens' disaster preparedness.
Environmental Sociology, 2022
This study examined how individuals' past experiences and perceptions of natural hazards, as well as their participation in voluntary organizations, were associated with their hazard preparedness. The study first explored how individuals' past experiences of three types of natural hazards (floods, landslides, and earthquakes), and their perceptions of hazard risk and controllability, were associated with their participation in voluntary organizations-an important indicator of social capital. This study also investigated how individuals' experiences and perceptions of natural hazards, and their participation in voluntary organizations, were associated with their adoption of preparedness behaviors for future hazards. The results of this study indicated that residents who experienced a natural hazard in the past generally reported better preparedness behaviors although the results differed according to the type of natural hazard. Both perceived risk and perceived controllability were positively associated with preparedness behavior, but perceived controllability was more strongly associated with participation in voluntary organizations.
Predicting community earthquake preparedness: a cross-cultural comparison of Japan and New Zealand
Natural Hazards, 2010
This paper reports on a study investigating cross-cultural equivalence in predictors of earthquake preparedness. Data were collected from Napier (New Zealand) and Kyoto (Japan). These locations were selected because they face comparable levels of seismic risk but differ with respect to their cultural characteristics. This mix of hazard similarity and cultural differences provided an opportunity to assess the degree of crosscultural equivalence in predictors of earthquake preparedness. Cross-cultural equivalence was examined by assessing the degree to which individual hazard beliefs (outcome expectancies) and social characteristics (community participation, collective efficacy, empowerment, trust) could explain levels of hazard preparedness in each location. Structural equation modelling analyses revealed similarity in the pattern of relationships between predictor variables and intention prepare in the Napier and Kyoto data. It is argued that this provides support for the existence of some universal, cross-cultural equivalence in how hazard beliefs and social characteristics interact to predict the degree to which people adopt earthquake preparedness measures. Differences between the data sets are discussed in the context of the fundamental cultural differences between Japan and New Zealand. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Natural Hazards, 2020
Understanding the culture of preparedness is essential to improve public policies and programs aimed to promote population preparedness to cope with natural hazards. The present study seeks to explore the influence of experience and sociodemographic variables in different levels of natural disaster preparedness among inhabitants of the Chilean coast. Three domains of preparedness were studied: household, community, and work. Participants were 1504 adults interviewed from representative samples of the coastal cities of Iquique and Concepción. Our main results suggest that direct prior experience and higher frequency of exposure to earthquakes and tsunamis generate a highest level of preparedness. In the same way, middle-aged adults (30-59 years), who live with a partner and those who have higher education and income level, declare having the highest levels of preparedness. On the other hand, our results denote that for each domain of preparedness, different sociodemographic characteristics influence the level of preparedness. Years living in the city and living with a partner represents the most decisive variable for preparedness at the household unit level. As for community preparedness, gender emerges as the most relevant variable. Educational level and income are variables with the greatest impact in workplace preparedness. These results demonstrate the importance of studying and implementing preparedness activities in other contexts such as community and work. Also, strategies should focus on less prepared groups that may be more vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
Constructing a Theoretical Framework for Assessing Community Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness
Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 2023
This exploratory study was carried out to gather the essential components for developing a theoretical framework for measuring community awareness of disaster management. This is to provide an effective instrument for educating individuals, communities and organizations about awareness regarding disaster preparedness and prevention in order to conduct a more thorough investigation. This theoretical framework was developed using a combination of literature research, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The study found that demographic characteristics, knowledge of disaster, disaster experience, attitude and awareness of disaster mitigation, exposure to mitigation and preparation as well as preparedness to respond to disaster are the main elements of the independent variables of this conceptual framework. These elements will affect community's perceptions on managing disaster response, and thus affects individual, community and organization's mitigation and preparedness for disaster. A proposed conceptual model for measuring the level of awareness for mitigation and preparedness in disaster management is presented. This framework implies that in preparing for disaster, people of different social context may perceive disaster differently and may even affect disaster mitigation and preparedness contrarily.
The Influence of Education and Local Culture on Community Preparedness in Facing Disasters
2021
This research is motivated by the awareness of the importance of community preparedness against disasters, especially for island communities living in disaster-prone areas. Maringkik Island, East Lombok Regency was chosen as the research location because it is included in the southern part of Lombok Island, which has the potential for megathrust (an earthquakes above 8 SR). The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the level of community education and its effect on community readiness in dealing with current disasters, (2) the level of understanding of disaster preparedness in the community in patron-client relationships, and (3) the level of disaster preparedness in the local social system of community. The method used in this research was mixed methods, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research. The data were collected using in-depth interviews and surveys using a questionnaire. The results show that community preparedness in facing disasters wss influenced ...
Disaster Resilient Communities: Developing and testing an all-hazards theory
Journal of Integrated Disaster Risk Management, 2013
This paper describes the assessment of the "all-hazards" capabilities of a theory of hazard preparedness based on identifying the personal-and social-level processes (community participation, collective efficacy, empowerment and trust) that interact to facilitate decision making under conditions of uncertainty. It is argued that because hazards differ in their characteristics and behavior, and thus their implications for what people have to do to prepare, any theory of preparedness needs to be tested for its all-hazards applicability. Data from people susceptible to experiencing tsunami, earthquake, wildfire and influenza hazards that differ substantially in their respective preparedness requirements were analysed using structural equation modelling. Analyses confirmed the ability of the model to contribute to accounting for differences in levels of hazard preparedness irrespective of the hazard under consideration. The paper discusses the practical implications of the findings for the development and application of risk communication and community outreach programs used to facilitate sustained hazard preparedness.
Cross-cultural comparisons between the earthquake preparedness models of Taiwan and New Zealand
Disasters, 2015
Taiwan and New Zealand are both located in the Pacific Rim where 81 per cent of the world's largest earthquakes occur. Effective programmes for increasing people's preparedness for these hazards are essential. This paper tests the applicability of the community engagement theory of hazard preparedness in two distinct cultural contexts. Structural equation modelling analysis provides support for this theory. The paper suggests that the close fit between theory and data that is achieved by excluding trust supports the theoretical prediction that familiarity with a hazard negates the need to trust external sources. The results demonstrate that the hazard preparedness theory is applicable to communities that have previously experienced earthquakes and are therefore familiar with the associated hazards and the need for earthquake preparedness. The paper also argues that cross-cultural comparisons provide opportunities for collaborative research and learning as well as access to a...
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences Discussions
Building a culture of risk is an essential objective within the integrated risk management paradigm. Challenges arise both due to increasing damage from natural hazards and the complexity in interaction of different actors in risk management. In Switzerland, the Strategy for Natural Hazards Switzerland, aims to establish efficient protection of the population, natural resources and material goods. This requires that all actors are recognized and aware of their responsible role in risk management. However, previous, non-representative studies indicate that risk awareness and preparedness levels are rather low within the general population. For the first time, our nationwide survey provides empirical data on factors that influence individual risk preparedness. Multivariate analysis shows that taking responsibility for natural hazard risk prevention is not only related to personal experience and perceived probability of hazard events, but also crucially influenced by social forms of communication and integration. Therefore, we conclude that social capacity building needs to include such factors in order to render integrated risk management strategies successful. 1 Introduction Natural hazard risk mitigation is of increasing importance in Alpine states and ranks high on the political agenda. Meeting the challenge of rising damage levels requires overcoming the paradigm of hazard-based risk management in favour of integrated risk management (IRM) strategies. IRM aims for establishing a culture to live with hazards. It is a comprehensive normative concept embracing the following elements: (1) consider all kinds of natural hazards, (2) monitor and evaluate risks, including the effect of prevention and preparedness, and (3) involve all relevant players, i.e. decision-makers and stakeholders (PLANAT, 2004). To promote these objectives, social capacity building is at the core of both, practice and research on natural hazard risk management. The mobilization of social resources in risk management is increasingly recognized in research (e.g. CapHaz-Net, KultuRisk), and centrally emphasized in strategic documents of international organisations (e.g. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction), as well as Swiss agencies (Aller and Egli, 2009; PLANAT, 2004). So far, the understanding how to activate such resources is limited. This paper therefore addresses the research question how to raise risk preparedness in the general population. Management measures need to connect to the population's available capacities to