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Disaster risk reduction knowledge of local people in Nepal

Disaster risk reduction knowledge of local people in Nepal Background: Nepal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A high proportion of the national GDP is lost every year in landslides, floods, and many other forms of disasters. A high number of human casualties and loss of public and private property in Nepal due to natural disasters may be attributed to inadequate public awareness, lack of disaster preparedness, weak governance, lack of coordination among the concerned government agencies, inadequate financial resources, and inadequate technical knowledge for mitigating the natural disasters. In this context, quite a few awareness and training programs for disaster risk reduction (DRR) have already been initiated in Nepal and their impact assessments are also already documented. However, effectiveness of the various implemented DRR programs is not yet evaluated through an independent study. Results: The work presented in this paper explores local people’s knowledge on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Altogether, 124 local people from 18 to 74 years of age from randomly selected 19 districts of Nepal were interviewed focusing on various questions on disaster information, disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster adaptation, and disaster risk perception. The collected response data were statistically analyzed using histogram and independent sample t-tests to examine the DRR knowledge of people. An independent t-test analysis (Table 1) suggests that there is no statistically significant gender-based difference in disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, and disaster risk perception of the surveyed people. Disaster adaptation capacity of the local people was evaluated and more than 60 percent of the respondents were determined to adapt state of disaster in the community. Conclusions: Findings of this independent research confirmed that the DRR education initiatives implemented in Nepal are not enough. The questionnaire survey results have pointed out at a few deficiencies in disseminating DRR knowledge in Nepal. We hope these findings will encourage the line agencies working in DRR issues in Nepal to modify their programs targeted for the local communities. Keywords: Disaster knowledge; Disaster risk; Disaster risk reduction; Nepal Background development process. The Second World Conference on Disaster risk is expressed in terms of potential loss of Disaster Reduction was held in Kobe (Hyogo), Japan in lives, deterioration of health status and livelihoods, and January 2005, which adopted the Hyogo Framework potential damage to assets and services due to impact of for Action (HFA) 2005–2015: Building the Resilience existing natural hazard. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) of Nations and Communities to Disasters. It has provided is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and a unique opportunity to promote strategic and systematic reducing disaster risk, and it helps minimize the approach to reducing vulnerabilities and risks. HFA states vulnerability of a society or community (Maxwell and that all countries must use knowledge, innovation, and Buchanan-Smith 1994; Bendimerad F 2003; Kameda 2007; education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all Onstada et al. 2012). It also prevents or mitigates the levels. Moreover, it suggests that disasters can be reduced adverse effects of natural disasters, facilitating a sustainable substantially if people are well informed and motivated about measures they can take to reduce vulnerability. * Correspondence: gangalaltuladhar@gmail.com Nepal in the Himalayan region is one of the most Himalaya Conservation Group, Kathmandu, Nepal disaster prone countries in the world. Because of its Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © 2014 Tuladhar et al.; licensee Springer. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 2 of 12 predominantly steep mountainous terrain in the north disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives taken in and low lying plains in the south, drained by steep schools and communities of Nepal were well docu- and high current rivers originating from the Himalaya, mented (ActionAid 2011a, b). Recently, Nepal has and dominated by strong monsoonal rains, the country also started to include disaster risk reduction into is overwhelmed by various natural disasters. The common secondary and higher education system and curricula. disasters include landslides, debris flows, floods, earthquakes, This article explores the effectiveness of DRR works snow avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), in the rural communities of Nepal, and examines disaster hailstorms, thunderbolts, cold waves, hot waves, and fire. knowledge of people, disaster preparedness, disaster Knowingly and unknowingly poverty drives people to awareness, disaster adaptation, and disaster risk. It also go live in high risk marginal areas of mountains and evaluates the effectiveness of recent DRR programs river valleys, which makes them vulnerable to disasters. implemented by various international nongovernmental On the other hand, heavy disaster losses such as during organizations and national nongovernmental organization earthquakes and tsunamis or landslides and flood (INGOs and NGOs) in the rural communities of Nepal. unexpectedly create poverty among a large number of people by destroying their houses, productive lands, Disaster risk and disaster risk reduction initiatives in other personal assets, and livelihood (Yamin et al. 2005; Nepal Takeuchi et al. 2011). Hence, poverty is both cause and Natural disasters in Nepal cause a significant impact on the consequence of disasters in under-developed or developing national GDP particularly due to infrastructural damage, de- countries. Disaster risk reduction is particularly essential struction of public and private properties, and loss of life. for sustaining the achievements of all kinds of development The loss of life and property in particular may be attributed goals since it provides a safety net for the hard-earned to lack of public awareness, inadequate disaster prepared- development gains of a developing country (Holloway ness, weak governance practice, lack of coordination among 2003; Birkmann and von Teichman 2010; Walshe and the government agencies, inadequate financial resources, Nunn 2012). In Nepal, it is a great challenge to protect and a low level of technical knowhow as well as skill in miti- infrastructure and public and individual properties gating natural disasters. In recent years, however, develop- from frequent landslide, flood, and earthquake disasters. ment planners in Nepal seem to have understood the Each year hundreds of people are killed and a large amount intimate link between the disasters and development strat- of public and private properties are destroyed in landslide, egies. In average, per day at least two people die in Nepal flood, fire, and avalanche disasters. Each large-scale disaster due to natural disasters (MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs potentially sets the country back several years in terms of et al. 2008). A record of loss of human lives in various types the development efforts. When scarce resources such as of disasters in Nepal in the last 25 years (1986- 2011) is time, energy, expertise, and funding are suddenly diverted shown in Figure 1 (MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs 2003; in relief and recovery work, the overall development DWIDP Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention activities are delayed significantly. 2006; MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs et al. 2009). The data The disaster statistics of Nepal always motivate and are evident how severely the country has suffered from the justify the urgent need of DRR works in Nepal. Therefore, natural disasters in the last two and half decades (1986-2011). Nepal has also adopted HFA and so far the Government In landslides and floods, the human casualty reaches as high of Nepal (GoN) has assigned the national mandate as 288 per year. An existing data record in South Asia shows towards DRR and mainstreaming the DRR in its various that Nepal stands third in annual average human deaths per development as well as education programs. In Nepal, the million living population after Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. World Disaster Reduction Campaign for 2006-2007 was These disaster statistics have always motivated and initiated and many programs such amendment in school justified an urgent need of DRR works in Nepal. Therefore, curricula for disaster risk education, community based Nepal is one of the 168 countries that have adopted the disaster management in village level, disaster mitigation HFA. So far, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has assigned plans in district level etc. have been implemented. a national mandate towards disaster risk reduction and its Similarly, raising awareness within school communities is mainstreaming through various programs. the well implemented program in the schools of Nepal. Following the HFA strategies, various international This awareness activity include training of teachers; nongovernmental organizations working in the field of organizing disaster quiz competitions among schools DRR have begun some ambitious programs designed to and local youth clubs; school contests on disaster risk reduce people’s vulnerability to natural disasters and reduction knowledge; campaigning for disaster safety build a stronger base of community-based disaster in communities; and turning school students into catalysts education. In Nepal too, especially after 2006 many and initiators in many more community based disaster programs have been introduced and implemented by awareness activities. Results and progress of few various government and nongovernment agencies. A Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 3 of 12 711 727 Flood and Fire Storm and Earthquake Avalanche Landslide Hail Type of disasters 1800 1716 1600 1524 1400 1318 941 895 1000 913 881 873 310 242 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 Years Figure 1 Loss of lives due to various disasters in Nepal between 1986 and 2005 (a), and number of deaths due to disasters in Nepal from 1983 to 2005 (b). Source: MoHA (2003), DWIDP (2006), MoHA et al. (2009). little change has also been made in the school-level practiced DRR initiative in Nepal. For this, NGOs are curricula. Many disaster education-related programs involved in developing disaster education materials, have also been initiated (Figure 2) by both governmental coordinating for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) (ActionAid in national education system, and teaching youths, 2011a, 2011b; UNESCO United Nations Educational, leaders, and parents the disaster risk reduction issues. Scientific and Cultural Organization and UNICEF United Building earthquake safe communities and retrofitting Nations Children’s Fund 2012; MercyCorp 2013) in existing structures are other areas of interest for the community levels. NGOs in Nepal towards building a disaster safe society. In Raising DRR awareness level among the communities this program, the government and NGOs are involved in is one of the well-implemented programs in Nepal. The assessing the vulnerability of school facilities, retrofitting activities include teachers’ trainings, disaster quiz school buildings, building earthquake-resistant schools, competitions, youth club activities on DRR knowledge, relocating schools in high disaster risk areas, and building disaster safety campaigns, and disaster drills. Establishing new schools in low disaster risk areas. Results and a sense of prevention in communities is another widely progress of a few disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives Loss of lives Loss of lives Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 4 of 12 Figure 2 Framework for disaster risk reduction initiative in education sectors and implementation plan of Government of Nepal. Figure 3 Location of 19 sample districts where randomly selected local people were interviewed. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 5 of 12 taken in the schools of Nepal are well documented Questions about various natural disasters were (Shiwaku et al. 2007; ActionAid 2011a, 2011b), and asked to assess the level of people’s knowledge about DRR has already been incorporated in the education these disasters. The participants’ knowledge level was system and school curricula (UNESCO United Nations evaluated in terms of their understanding about the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and occurrence of floods, landslides, earthquakes, fires, UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund 2012). high winds, hailstorm, drought, and extreme rainfall in five levels: (1) Never, (2) Rarely, (3) Sometimes, (4) Methods Often, and (5) Always. This study was intended to explore the level of DRR In addition, the survey participants were asked two knowledge in local people and to examine the effect of sets of questions related to their feelings over the disaster DRR programs in Nepal on a number of aspects includ- and various issues of disaster management. . Major question ing risk perception, knowledge on available safety system “What are your feelings over the disaster?” was asked in the in an event of disaster, preparedness of families and form of 9 statements. Similarly, 18 statements were asked to communities, and available disaster adaptation process respond for another set of major question “What do you up until now. The study also explores effectiveness of think about the following issues (18 statements) for disaster DRR implemented by various international nongov- management”. They were asked to indicate their responses ernmental organizations and national nongovernmental in various statements (included in the two major organization (INGOs and NGOs) in the rural communi- question sets as most probable answers) in five levels: ties of Nepal. (1) Strongly disagree, (2) Disagree, (3) Agree, (4) Strongly agree, and (5) I do not know. Later in the Data collection analysis phase, the statements were categorized into For this study, 19 districts of Nepal (out of 75) were five groups to explore knowledge of respondents on randomly selected as sampling districts. During random DRR as (i) Disaster-related knowledge, (ii) Disaster selection, geographical distribution, development index and preparedness and readiness, (iiii) Disaster adaptation, DRM activities of both government and nongovernment (iv) Disaster awareness, (v) Disaster risk perception. A sum- organization of each district were taken into consideration. mary of the statements incorporated in the questionnaire The surveyed districts are shown in Figure 3. Also survey is as follows. considered in the survey were activities of nongovernmental Disaster-related knowledge organizations in each district, disaster history (Aryal 2012), □ I know when a disaster will occur rainfall-related disasters (Dahal and Hasegawa 2008), and □ I know disasters cannot be prevented recent earthquake disaster (Dahal et al. 2012). The study □ I have participated in disaster risk education training was conducted in assumptions that the local people are or workshop now gaining DRR knowledge through various trainings, awareness campaigns, and workshop programs organized Disaster preparedness and readiness by both national and international nongovernmental □ I think to come across a disaster and remain alive organization (ActionAid 2011a, b, UNESCO United depends on our luck Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization □ I know importance of disseminating experiences or and UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund 2012). knowledge of disaster For the survey, a questionnaire sheet was prepared □ I know government will provide enough and a total of 124 local people (participants) from the facilities after disaster and we will not face randomly selected districts were asked to respond to any problem the questions. The respondents consist of 15 percent □ I am confident for reconstruction activities from female and 85 percent male with an age range of 18 government after disaster to 74 years and mean of 38 years (SD = 11.8). Only □ I know the importance of talking about disasters with 18 years (youths) or older from a variety of socioeco- neighbours, friends and colleagues nomic and cultural backgrounds were considered for □ I used to listen experts or DRR leaders who work or the interview. do activities for disaster management The questionnaire survey criteria used in this study were adopted from the suggestions made in the available Disaster adaptation books and literatures (Kuroiwa 1993; McMillan and □ I am aware of the shelter areas and open space in Schumacher 1993; Andrews et al. 1998; Thorne 2000; case of a disaster Henning et al. 2004; Tanaka 2005; Ronan et al. 2010; □ I have information about which government office Lekalakala 2011), and they were embedded together needs to be contacted after the disaster within a single survey sheet. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 6 of 12 □ I have knowledge about disaster prone area and disaster risk perception. Responses in these key issues □ I am getting enough information from INGO/NGO were also evaluated with histogram analyses. A series of about disaster adaptation independent sample t-tests were also conducted to □ I have knowledge about an evacuation area during a examine the effects of gender and disaster events. For this disaster purpose, the five responses (Strongly disagree, Disagree, □ I know the important of community activities for Agree, Strongly agree, and I do not know) were rephrased. disasters risk reduction For example, if a respondent responded strongly agree for □ I know the life evacuation system in my locality all five DRR issues, it was considered that he/she well understood of the disaster knowledge, he/she was very Disaster awareness ready to tackle the state of disaster, he/she is well aware □ I used to participate in voluntary activities for for disaster risks, he/she can well adapt state of disaster disaster awareness campaigns and he/she is well perceived disaster risk. Similarly, □ I am aware of retrofitting of buildings if a respondent responded strongly disagree for all □ I used to prepare emergency bag for disasters five DRR issues; it was considered that he/she has □ I have a good relationship with my neighbours and no idea of the disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, community disaster awareness, disaster adaptation and disaster □ I think repair of road blockage and transportation risk perception. break are important □ I give priority to disaster awareness in local, regional Results and national level As mentioned in methodology, basically three kinds of □ I know recovery after disaster is a crucial work analyses have been done to explore overall DRR knowledge of local people in Nepal. The effects of Disaster risk perception gender and disaster events were evaluated with independ- □ I am very sure that large-scale disasters will certainly ent sample t-tests and bivariate correlations. People’s occur in next 10 years knowledge on DRR issues in Nepal was evaluated with □ My locality is safe from all kinds of disasters histogram analyses. Disaster insecurity of local people was □ I think my building is well designed and will also evaluated from histogram plot. Results of analysis are withstand an earthquake event given in the following headings. □ I am sure that my sleeping space is secure during and after disaster Gender effects on disaster risk reduction issues Demographic factors always have some relationship Survey procedure with DRR process in a community. To explore this issue, Local representatives of the major political parties in preliminary analysis has been carried out on the basis of Nepal, who have basic knowledge of disasters, were gender and age groups of the local people. selected as enumerators, as they usually have a close An independent t-test analysis (Table 1) suggests acquaintance and a strong convincing relation with that there is no statistically significant gender-based the local people. The enumerators were asked to select difference in disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, survey participants with basic education (that is, at least disaster awareness, and disaster risk perception of the high school graduates) who could understand and answer surveyed people, which can be understood from sig- the questions well. The survey was conducted more in nificance of t-test values greater than 0.05 (two-tailed) presence of the enumerators themselves in an interview for almost all key disaster issues. Only for the case of style for the clarity of the questions as well as answers of awareness, the male participants were found more the respondents. In average, total time required for confused than the female, as indicated by less than completing onesurveywas 20–30 minutes. 0.05 significance of t-test result. Likewise, when the people were asked about the use of Method of analysis media as a source of disaster information, it was found that To examine overall DRR knowledge of local people, the number of females using national television (that is, histogram analysis, bivariate correlations and independent Nepal Television) is greater, but the males were found to sample t-tests was conducted. Basically, the descriptive prefer FM radios to learn about and get disaster information. analyses helped to examine the relationship between disaster risk reduction initiatives of government of Nepal and the local people’s knowledge on DRR. Five key DRR Disaster risk reduction issues and People’s response issues were considered in our analysis: disaster knowledge, The DRR knowledge of local people was analyzed disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster adaptation, with people’s response on five key DRR issues (disaster Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 7 of 12 Table 1 Statistical analysis of key disaster risk reduction local level are in satisfactory level, and the people are rather issues positive about gaining disaster-related knowledge. Key DRR Issues Female Male t(124) Sig. Disaster preparedness and readiness behaviour Mean SD Mean SD Six main questions were asked to explore people’s readiness 1 Knowledge: Well 42.33 10.50 33.67 5.51 1.27 0.27 understood behaviour towards the disasters. Out of these questions, there were positive responses for five questions and Knowledge: 35.00 8.19 44.33 3.79 -1.79 0.15 Understood negative responses for two questions. More than 80 Knowledge: Not clear 16.00 5.00 11.67 4.62 1.10 0.33 percent respondents do not think that the government has made enough preparations for DRR (Figure 5). They Knowledge: Confusing 5.33 5.51 7.00 0.00 -0.52 0.63 also do not agree that the government provides enough Knowledge: No idea 1.67 2.89 4.33 1.53 -1.41 0.23 relief after a disaster. They also comment that there is a 2 Readiness: Very ready 24.86 15.53 25.14 17.35 -0.03 0.97 lack of governmental mechanism to support them after a Readiness: Ready 39.14 15.74 32.57 16.49 0.76 0.46 disaster. About 25 percent respondents still believe that Readiness: Not ready 24.14 21.61 21.29 11.61 0.31 0.76 disaster and loss have direct link with their fate, while Readiness: Confusing 7.71 4.42 12.29 10.29 -1.08 0.30 about 70 percent of the respondents are not convinced that governmental or nongovernmental institutions will Readiness: No idea 4.43 7.68 8.57 5.94 -1.13 0.28 initiate the post-disaster reconstruction activities. 3 Awareness: Well aware 21.71 13.56 21.71 11.76 0.00 1.00 However, the respondents were found to be well motivated Awareness: Aware 42.00 10.50 42.43 5.80 -0.09 0.93 to talk about the disasters with their friends, colleagues, Awareness: Not aware 22.71 10.34 16.14 5.90 1.46 0.17 and neighbors. An overall impression about the readiness Awareness: Confusing 2.29 4.27 7.29 1.80 -2.85 0.01 behavior of the people suggested that nearly 25 percent of Awareness: No idea 11.43 4.93 13.14 7.52 -0.50 0.62 the local people are still confused and are not ready to confront the disasters. 4 Adaptation: Well 32.29 13.21 29.57 11.16 2.71 0.69 adapted Disaster adaptation Adaptation: Adapted 37.57 14.25 43.57 7.63 -6.00 0.35 The disaster adaptation capacity in the local people of Adaptations: Not 14.29 7.87 11.14 3.76 3.14 0.36 adapted Nepal was evaluated through seven main questions (Figure 6). In general, more than 60 percent of the Adaptation: Confusing 7.57 5.35 6.29 2.36 1.29 0.57 respondents were determined to adapt state of disaster in Adaptation: No idea 8.43 7.44 10.00 4.55 -1.57 0.64 the community. At present, although DRR programs and 5 Perception: Well 14.8 15.7 18.3 20.5 -0.582 0.582 campaigns are being implemented and accomplished by perceived various INGOs and NGOs, nearly 50 percent of the Perception: Perceived 9.0 11.6 14.3 8.5 -0.154 0.883 respondents was found negative on their activities, Perception: Not 44.8 20.3 28.8 18.0 1.18 0.283 and respondents give little importance to the role of perceived INGOs/NGOs in disaster information dissemination. Perception: Confusing 22.5 17.0 24.0 9.5 -0.73 0.493 Perception: No idea 9.3 15.3 15.5 15.0 -0.271 0.796 Disaster awareness Seven statements were asked to evaluate respondent’s knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster disaster awareness level (Figure 7). Only less than 20 adaptation and disaster risk perception) considered in this percent of them were confused with the awareness activ- research. Results for each issue are described in following ities for disaster risk in their community. This is a posi- sub-headings. tive result for the governmental or nongovernmental institutions that are working for DRR issues in the com- munity level. However, nearly 20 percent of respondents Disaster-related knowledge do not know or do not agree with the concept of disas- Three main questions were asked to explore the level ter emergency bag. They emphasized that the concept of of disaster-related knowledge. More than 30 percent emergency bag is not practical for them. of the respondents were found to be familiar with the disaster-related facts (Figure 4). About 80 percent of them Disaster risk perception were found to agree with the importance of disaster risk- Four main questions were asked to the respondents so related trainings for them. This result indicates that the as to evaluate the risk perception. More than 75 percent awareness campaigns of both governmental and nongov- of the respondents were found to be unaware of large-scale ernmental organizations related to disaster knowledge in disasters in their communities (Figure 8) despite the fact Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 8 of 12 Figure 4 Evaluation of disaster-related knowledge in local people of Nepal. that the annual disaster record of Nepal (see Figure 1) the respondents feel that landslides may not be a problem roughly indicates that major disasters occur in about every for them, which in fact is a highly underestimated re- 10 years. sponse. As most of the respondents are from mountainous areas, they must have a sound knowledge of landslide Disaster insecurity processes and associated disasters in their area. In case of People were asked about the level of insecurity they have floods also, the respondents were found to have a similar from eight kinds of common natural disasters in Nepal. opinion. This clearly indicates that the DRR issues are They responded in five levels of insecurity from the either not being well protruded or are focused more on disasters. The responses clearly demonstrate their disaster earthquake issues in the community level. Although many risk perception. Most of the respondents feel that they are people are well aware disaster awareness programs, still insecure from all kinds of disasters (Figure 9), but the one third of the respondents were worried for all kind of maximum insecurity is associated with earthquake, storm, disasters and could not recognize major disaster problem hail, drought, and extreme rainfall. Nearly 40 percent of in his/her area. Figure 5 Readiness behaviour of people for disaster risk reduction. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 9 of 12 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% I don't know Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly disagree agree Aware of the shelter areas and open space in case of a disaster Information about which government office needs to be contacted after the disaster Knowledge about disaster prone area Getting enough information from INGO/NGO about disaster adaptation Knowledge about an evacuation area during a disaster Community activities for disasters Life in state of evacuation after the disaster Figure 6 Response of the people to the various disaster adaptation systems in the community. Discussion and their mitigation. Despite a fact that landslides This study has helped to understand the status and and flood are most affecting and most frequent natural importance of DRR knowledge dissemination process in disasters in Nepal, many people were found to feel rural communities of Nepal. Although the line agencies only less insecure from these disaster events. In Nepal, (that, governmental and nongovernmental institutions for the last 20 years, the information about earthquake that have been involved in DRR activities in various disaster is well disseminated by various organizations communities of Nepal) claim that DRR concept and (Dixit et al. 2013), which might have resulted in posi- disaster education are now already functioning in the tive consequences of people’s increased awareness in local communities and all local people have been earthquake-related disasters. Moreover, despite a fact that gaining DRR knowledge through awareness campaigns, disaster education programs are doing good or satisfactory trainings, meetings, and so on, the ground reality indicates in Nepal (UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific that the situation is still incoherent. In this work, people’s and Cultural Organization and UNICEF United Nations knowledge in five key DRR issues was explored through a Children’s Fund 2012), the survey results have shown that questionnaire survey on at least high school graduates, the people have a greater likelihood of feeling insecure but the findings are not very encouraging. For example, about all kinds of disaster. Even today, most people do not one of findings indicates that many people are still have site-specific disaster knowledge, and the level of obscured on awareness activities for disaster risk anxiety towards all kinds of disasters is the same. management in community. A few satisfactory results More than 30 percent of the respondents have answered were obtained particularly concerning the status of that all of the eight kinds of disasters (flood, landslide, people’s knowledge in disaster. Although the level of earthquake, fire, storm, hail, drought, and extreme rainfall) knowledge of both male and female respondents in may occur sometime in their areas, which in fact is DRR issues is not different, many males were found not a correct understanding of major disaster issues to be still confused about procedures for raising disaster of his/her area. awareness. An analysis of the obtained results has shown Although the number of samples collected is not that the local people lack accurate knowledge of disasters high, this study has pointed out a few deficiencies in Percentage of responders Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 10 of 12 Figure 7 Response of the people to various disaster awareness related action in the community. the process of disseminating disaster risk reduction Conclusions knowledge in Nepal. The findings in this work are The questionnaire survey results obtained during the expected to encourage the line agencies that have course of this field-based research work clearly point out been working in DRR issues in the country towards at the deficiencies and limitations in the process of DRR modification in their programs intended for the local knowledge dissemination to the local communities of communities. We believe an independent research Nepal. This work has attempted to evaluate specific work,suchthe onedoneinthisstudy,more clearly outcomes in relation to disaster preparedness of the shows the overall status of people’s knowledge as local people, their ability to identify and address the well as understanding in any relevant fields including risk of disasters, and disaster adaptation practice. DRR. However, in many DRR issues, people are still not Figure 8 Evaluation of risk perception of the people in the community. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 11 of 12 they should consult for any additional support. Another tragedy about DRR in Nepal is that its practice is badly overshadowed and blended into various hypothetical approaches; and to the worst, most of the resources are spent more in discussions, workshops, and hiring foreign consultants instead of taking immediate action in the field with whatsoever available indigenous knowledge. As a result, DRR mainstreaming programs are likely to fade out between the communities and the line agencies leading to a dilemma of DRR knowledge among the local communities. One of the major challenges in DRR practice in a rural country like Nepal is implementation method, especially at personal level. The method of disaster education provides people knowledge and information and promotes Figure 9 Level of anxiety from different kind of disasters in Nepal. the DRR measures. To achieve this, local people need to be encouraged to learn about disaster basics, readiness behavior, awareness programs, adaptation process, and very clear and at the same time, they respond incorrectly. risk identification techniques. To strengthen people’sdis- Likewise, she/he is well aware for disaster risks but she/he aster risk awareness, proper and appropriate information is not well familiar with the adapt state of disaster. This should be disseminated to the local community leaders. is a contradictory response obtained during survey. Disaster education-related campaigns and programs may Through this study, it is understood that there are also provide a self-learning environment to the local many DRR lessons the local people need to learn further, people. School disaster education programs should also be and that the existing DRR knowledge dissemination encouraged in such a way that the community people can programs and processes need to be revised. Despite participate in the school disaster education program and also having the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 the students can participate in community-based disaster (UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for awareness and adaptation activities. These activities Disaster Reduction 2004, 2007, 2011) adopted, the mayhelpincreasethe knowledgeofDRR in the survey results show that Nepal has not satisfactorily im- communities, which may lead the community and plemented the DRR education initiatives. The HFA well people to greater readiness for disaster risk reduction emphasizes the role of education in DRR, especially process. the need of disaster education for developing a cul- Competing interest ture of disaster prevention in communities and The author’s declare that they have no competing interest. schools. At the present political and social conditions, the Author’s contribution disaster risk reduction programs run particularly by GT collected the data and performed the statistical analysis. He also drafted the manuscript. RY, RKD and NPB give suggestions on methodology and the INGOs or NGOs may sometimes also be misleading. developing questionnaire. All four authors read and approved the final As an important tributary of a broader sustainable manuscript. development pathway, DRR must be integrated with the development process in the communities. It needs to Acknowledgment This research has been conducted with the extensive help from officials and be mixedupwiththe developmentprocessatdifferent staffs of Himalayan Conservation Group. Local political leaders are also stages, and must become an integral part of the develop- acknowledged for their heartfelt support in data collection. ment activities. In DRR process, culture of safety can also Author details be easily introduced if the communities are adequately edu- 1 2 Himalaya Conservation Group, Kathmandu, Nepal. Department of Civil and cated, equipped, and resourceful through good governance. Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, In reality, the existing DRR programs in Nepal are rich in Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan. Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University, Tribhuvan, Nepal. jargons and they cannot be simply or easily implemented in communities. Through this study, we have clearly Received: 7 October 2014 Accepted: 5 December 2014 understood that people are not adequately aware even of simple disaster issues, and that in some cases, they References are over reckoning too. In general, people need infor- ActionAid. 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Kameda H (2007) Networking disaster risk reduction technology and knowledge through Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH). In: Proceedings of the Disaster Reduction Hyperbase (DRH) Contents Meeting, Kobe, Japan, 12-13 March. http://drh.edm.bosai.go.jp/Project/Phase2/1Documents/9_EXr.pdf. Kuroiwa J. Peru’s National Educational Program for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (PNEPDPM). In: Training and Education for Improving Earthquake Disaster Management in Developing Countries, Report and Summary of Proceedings of the Sixth International Research and Training Seminar on Regional Development Planning for Disaster Prevention, Tsukuba, Japan, 14 December 1992, Nagoya, Japan. UNCRD Meeting Report Series, No. 57. Nagoya, Japan: United Nations Centre for Regional Development; 1993. p. 95–102. http://www.virtualref.com/uncrd/1562.htm. Lekalakala MJ. Teachers perceptions about lesson planning to include a disaster risk reduction focus. In: Master’s thesis, Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa. South Africa: University of the Free State; 2011. McMillan JH, Schumacher S. Research in Education. New York: Harper Collins: A Conceptual Introduction; 1993. MercyCorp (2013) Supporting the Role of Schools in Disaster Risk Reduction Submit your manuscript to a (SRSD). http://nepal.mercycorps.org/projects/disaster-projects/srsd.php journal and benefi t from: Maxwell S, Buchanan-Smith M. Linking relief and development: introduction and overview. IDS Bulletin. 1994;25(4):1–19. 7 Convenient online submission MoHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Disaster Report of Nepal. Government of Nepal: 7 Rigorous peer review Ministry of Home Affairs; 2003. MoHA (Ministry of Home Affairs), UNDP (United Nations Development 7 Immediate publication on acceptance Programme), EC (European Comission), NSET (National Society for Earthquake 7 Open access: articles freely available online Technology-Nepal). (2008). National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in 7 High visibility within the fi eld Nepal. Kathmandu: MoHA, UNDP, EC, NSET. http://www.rccdm.net/index. 7 Retaining the copyright to your article php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&Itemid=215&gid=17 MoHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Nepal Disaster Report. In: The hardship and vulnerability. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal and Disaster Submit your next manuscript at 7 springeropen.com Preparedness Network-Nepal. Nepal: Jagadamba Press; 2009. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Geoenvironmental Disasters Springer Journals

Disaster risk reduction knowledge of local people in Nepal

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Copyright © 2014 by Tuladhar et al.; licensee Springer.
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Environment; Environment, general; Earth Sciences, general; Geography (general); Geoecology/Natural Processes; Natural Hazards; Environmental Science and Engineering
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10.1186/s40677-014-0011-4
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Abstract

Background: Nepal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A high proportion of the national GDP is lost every year in landslides, floods, and many other forms of disasters. A high number of human casualties and loss of public and private property in Nepal due to natural disasters may be attributed to inadequate public awareness, lack of disaster preparedness, weak governance, lack of coordination among the concerned government agencies, inadequate financial resources, and inadequate technical knowledge for mitigating the natural disasters. In this context, quite a few awareness and training programs for disaster risk reduction (DRR) have already been initiated in Nepal and their impact assessments are also already documented. However, effectiveness of the various implemented DRR programs is not yet evaluated through an independent study. Results: The work presented in this paper explores local people’s knowledge on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Altogether, 124 local people from 18 to 74 years of age from randomly selected 19 districts of Nepal were interviewed focusing on various questions on disaster information, disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster adaptation, and disaster risk perception. The collected response data were statistically analyzed using histogram and independent sample t-tests to examine the DRR knowledge of people. An independent t-test analysis (Table 1) suggests that there is no statistically significant gender-based difference in disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, and disaster risk perception of the surveyed people. Disaster adaptation capacity of the local people was evaluated and more than 60 percent of the respondents were determined to adapt state of disaster in the community. Conclusions: Findings of this independent research confirmed that the DRR education initiatives implemented in Nepal are not enough. The questionnaire survey results have pointed out at a few deficiencies in disseminating DRR knowledge in Nepal. We hope these findings will encourage the line agencies working in DRR issues in Nepal to modify their programs targeted for the local communities. Keywords: Disaster knowledge; Disaster risk; Disaster risk reduction; Nepal Background development process. The Second World Conference on Disaster risk is expressed in terms of potential loss of Disaster Reduction was held in Kobe (Hyogo), Japan in lives, deterioration of health status and livelihoods, and January 2005, which adopted the Hyogo Framework potential damage to assets and services due to impact of for Action (HFA) 2005–2015: Building the Resilience existing natural hazard. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) of Nations and Communities to Disasters. It has provided is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and a unique opportunity to promote strategic and systematic reducing disaster risk, and it helps minimize the approach to reducing vulnerabilities and risks. HFA states vulnerability of a society or community (Maxwell and that all countries must use knowledge, innovation, and Buchanan-Smith 1994; Bendimerad F 2003; Kameda 2007; education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all Onstada et al. 2012). It also prevents or mitigates the levels. Moreover, it suggests that disasters can be reduced adverse effects of natural disasters, facilitating a sustainable substantially if people are well informed and motivated about measures they can take to reduce vulnerability. * Correspondence: gangalaltuladhar@gmail.com Nepal in the Himalayan region is one of the most Himalaya Conservation Group, Kathmandu, Nepal disaster prone countries in the world. Because of its Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © 2014 Tuladhar et al.; licensee Springer. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 2 of 12 predominantly steep mountainous terrain in the north disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives taken in and low lying plains in the south, drained by steep schools and communities of Nepal were well docu- and high current rivers originating from the Himalaya, mented (ActionAid 2011a, b). Recently, Nepal has and dominated by strong monsoonal rains, the country also started to include disaster risk reduction into is overwhelmed by various natural disasters. The common secondary and higher education system and curricula. disasters include landslides, debris flows, floods, earthquakes, This article explores the effectiveness of DRR works snow avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), in the rural communities of Nepal, and examines disaster hailstorms, thunderbolts, cold waves, hot waves, and fire. knowledge of people, disaster preparedness, disaster Knowingly and unknowingly poverty drives people to awareness, disaster adaptation, and disaster risk. It also go live in high risk marginal areas of mountains and evaluates the effectiveness of recent DRR programs river valleys, which makes them vulnerable to disasters. implemented by various international nongovernmental On the other hand, heavy disaster losses such as during organizations and national nongovernmental organization earthquakes and tsunamis or landslides and flood (INGOs and NGOs) in the rural communities of Nepal. unexpectedly create poverty among a large number of people by destroying their houses, productive lands, Disaster risk and disaster risk reduction initiatives in other personal assets, and livelihood (Yamin et al. 2005; Nepal Takeuchi et al. 2011). Hence, poverty is both cause and Natural disasters in Nepal cause a significant impact on the consequence of disasters in under-developed or developing national GDP particularly due to infrastructural damage, de- countries. Disaster risk reduction is particularly essential struction of public and private properties, and loss of life. for sustaining the achievements of all kinds of development The loss of life and property in particular may be attributed goals since it provides a safety net for the hard-earned to lack of public awareness, inadequate disaster prepared- development gains of a developing country (Holloway ness, weak governance practice, lack of coordination among 2003; Birkmann and von Teichman 2010; Walshe and the government agencies, inadequate financial resources, Nunn 2012). In Nepal, it is a great challenge to protect and a low level of technical knowhow as well as skill in miti- infrastructure and public and individual properties gating natural disasters. In recent years, however, develop- from frequent landslide, flood, and earthquake disasters. ment planners in Nepal seem to have understood the Each year hundreds of people are killed and a large amount intimate link between the disasters and development strat- of public and private properties are destroyed in landslide, egies. In average, per day at least two people die in Nepal flood, fire, and avalanche disasters. Each large-scale disaster due to natural disasters (MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs potentially sets the country back several years in terms of et al. 2008). A record of loss of human lives in various types the development efforts. When scarce resources such as of disasters in Nepal in the last 25 years (1986- 2011) is time, energy, expertise, and funding are suddenly diverted shown in Figure 1 (MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs 2003; in relief and recovery work, the overall development DWIDP Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention activities are delayed significantly. 2006; MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs et al. 2009). The data The disaster statistics of Nepal always motivate and are evident how severely the country has suffered from the justify the urgent need of DRR works in Nepal. Therefore, natural disasters in the last two and half decades (1986-2011). Nepal has also adopted HFA and so far the Government In landslides and floods, the human casualty reaches as high of Nepal (GoN) has assigned the national mandate as 288 per year. An existing data record in South Asia shows towards DRR and mainstreaming the DRR in its various that Nepal stands third in annual average human deaths per development as well as education programs. In Nepal, the million living population after Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. World Disaster Reduction Campaign for 2006-2007 was These disaster statistics have always motivated and initiated and many programs such amendment in school justified an urgent need of DRR works in Nepal. Therefore, curricula for disaster risk education, community based Nepal is one of the 168 countries that have adopted the disaster management in village level, disaster mitigation HFA. So far, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has assigned plans in district level etc. have been implemented. a national mandate towards disaster risk reduction and its Similarly, raising awareness within school communities is mainstreaming through various programs. the well implemented program in the schools of Nepal. Following the HFA strategies, various international This awareness activity include training of teachers; nongovernmental organizations working in the field of organizing disaster quiz competitions among schools DRR have begun some ambitious programs designed to and local youth clubs; school contests on disaster risk reduce people’s vulnerability to natural disasters and reduction knowledge; campaigning for disaster safety build a stronger base of community-based disaster in communities; and turning school students into catalysts education. In Nepal too, especially after 2006 many and initiators in many more community based disaster programs have been introduced and implemented by awareness activities. Results and progress of few various government and nongovernment agencies. A Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 3 of 12 711 727 Flood and Fire Storm and Earthquake Avalanche Landslide Hail Type of disasters 1800 1716 1600 1524 1400 1318 941 895 1000 913 881 873 310 242 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 Years Figure 1 Loss of lives due to various disasters in Nepal between 1986 and 2005 (a), and number of deaths due to disasters in Nepal from 1983 to 2005 (b). Source: MoHA (2003), DWIDP (2006), MoHA et al. (2009). little change has also been made in the school-level practiced DRR initiative in Nepal. For this, NGOs are curricula. Many disaster education-related programs involved in developing disaster education materials, have also been initiated (Figure 2) by both governmental coordinating for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) (ActionAid in national education system, and teaching youths, 2011a, 2011b; UNESCO United Nations Educational, leaders, and parents the disaster risk reduction issues. Scientific and Cultural Organization and UNICEF United Building earthquake safe communities and retrofitting Nations Children’s Fund 2012; MercyCorp 2013) in existing structures are other areas of interest for the community levels. NGOs in Nepal towards building a disaster safe society. In Raising DRR awareness level among the communities this program, the government and NGOs are involved in is one of the well-implemented programs in Nepal. The assessing the vulnerability of school facilities, retrofitting activities include teachers’ trainings, disaster quiz school buildings, building earthquake-resistant schools, competitions, youth club activities on DRR knowledge, relocating schools in high disaster risk areas, and building disaster safety campaigns, and disaster drills. Establishing new schools in low disaster risk areas. Results and a sense of prevention in communities is another widely progress of a few disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives Loss of lives Loss of lives Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 4 of 12 Figure 2 Framework for disaster risk reduction initiative in education sectors and implementation plan of Government of Nepal. Figure 3 Location of 19 sample districts where randomly selected local people were interviewed. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 5 of 12 taken in the schools of Nepal are well documented Questions about various natural disasters were (Shiwaku et al. 2007; ActionAid 2011a, 2011b), and asked to assess the level of people’s knowledge about DRR has already been incorporated in the education these disasters. The participants’ knowledge level was system and school curricula (UNESCO United Nations evaluated in terms of their understanding about the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and occurrence of floods, landslides, earthquakes, fires, UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund 2012). high winds, hailstorm, drought, and extreme rainfall in five levels: (1) Never, (2) Rarely, (3) Sometimes, (4) Methods Often, and (5) Always. This study was intended to explore the level of DRR In addition, the survey participants were asked two knowledge in local people and to examine the effect of sets of questions related to their feelings over the disaster DRR programs in Nepal on a number of aspects includ- and various issues of disaster management. . Major question ing risk perception, knowledge on available safety system “What are your feelings over the disaster?” was asked in the in an event of disaster, preparedness of families and form of 9 statements. Similarly, 18 statements were asked to communities, and available disaster adaptation process respond for another set of major question “What do you up until now. The study also explores effectiveness of think about the following issues (18 statements) for disaster DRR implemented by various international nongov- management”. They were asked to indicate their responses ernmental organizations and national nongovernmental in various statements (included in the two major organization (INGOs and NGOs) in the rural communi- question sets as most probable answers) in five levels: ties of Nepal. (1) Strongly disagree, (2) Disagree, (3) Agree, (4) Strongly agree, and (5) I do not know. Later in the Data collection analysis phase, the statements were categorized into For this study, 19 districts of Nepal (out of 75) were five groups to explore knowledge of respondents on randomly selected as sampling districts. During random DRR as (i) Disaster-related knowledge, (ii) Disaster selection, geographical distribution, development index and preparedness and readiness, (iiii) Disaster adaptation, DRM activities of both government and nongovernment (iv) Disaster awareness, (v) Disaster risk perception. A sum- organization of each district were taken into consideration. mary of the statements incorporated in the questionnaire The surveyed districts are shown in Figure 3. Also survey is as follows. considered in the survey were activities of nongovernmental Disaster-related knowledge organizations in each district, disaster history (Aryal 2012), □ I know when a disaster will occur rainfall-related disasters (Dahal and Hasegawa 2008), and □ I know disasters cannot be prevented recent earthquake disaster (Dahal et al. 2012). The study □ I have participated in disaster risk education training was conducted in assumptions that the local people are or workshop now gaining DRR knowledge through various trainings, awareness campaigns, and workshop programs organized Disaster preparedness and readiness by both national and international nongovernmental □ I think to come across a disaster and remain alive organization (ActionAid 2011a, b, UNESCO United depends on our luck Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization □ I know importance of disseminating experiences or and UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund 2012). knowledge of disaster For the survey, a questionnaire sheet was prepared □ I know government will provide enough and a total of 124 local people (participants) from the facilities after disaster and we will not face randomly selected districts were asked to respond to any problem the questions. The respondents consist of 15 percent □ I am confident for reconstruction activities from female and 85 percent male with an age range of 18 government after disaster to 74 years and mean of 38 years (SD = 11.8). Only □ I know the importance of talking about disasters with 18 years (youths) or older from a variety of socioeco- neighbours, friends and colleagues nomic and cultural backgrounds were considered for □ I used to listen experts or DRR leaders who work or the interview. do activities for disaster management The questionnaire survey criteria used in this study were adopted from the suggestions made in the available Disaster adaptation books and literatures (Kuroiwa 1993; McMillan and □ I am aware of the shelter areas and open space in Schumacher 1993; Andrews et al. 1998; Thorne 2000; case of a disaster Henning et al. 2004; Tanaka 2005; Ronan et al. 2010; □ I have information about which government office Lekalakala 2011), and they were embedded together needs to be contacted after the disaster within a single survey sheet. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 6 of 12 □ I have knowledge about disaster prone area and disaster risk perception. Responses in these key issues □ I am getting enough information from INGO/NGO were also evaluated with histogram analyses. A series of about disaster adaptation independent sample t-tests were also conducted to □ I have knowledge about an evacuation area during a examine the effects of gender and disaster events. For this disaster purpose, the five responses (Strongly disagree, Disagree, □ I know the important of community activities for Agree, Strongly agree, and I do not know) were rephrased. disasters risk reduction For example, if a respondent responded strongly agree for □ I know the life evacuation system in my locality all five DRR issues, it was considered that he/she well understood of the disaster knowledge, he/she was very Disaster awareness ready to tackle the state of disaster, he/she is well aware □ I used to participate in voluntary activities for for disaster risks, he/she can well adapt state of disaster disaster awareness campaigns and he/she is well perceived disaster risk. Similarly, □ I am aware of retrofitting of buildings if a respondent responded strongly disagree for all □ I used to prepare emergency bag for disasters five DRR issues; it was considered that he/she has □ I have a good relationship with my neighbours and no idea of the disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, community disaster awareness, disaster adaptation and disaster □ I think repair of road blockage and transportation risk perception. break are important □ I give priority to disaster awareness in local, regional Results and national level As mentioned in methodology, basically three kinds of □ I know recovery after disaster is a crucial work analyses have been done to explore overall DRR knowledge of local people in Nepal. The effects of Disaster risk perception gender and disaster events were evaluated with independ- □ I am very sure that large-scale disasters will certainly ent sample t-tests and bivariate correlations. People’s occur in next 10 years knowledge on DRR issues in Nepal was evaluated with □ My locality is safe from all kinds of disasters histogram analyses. Disaster insecurity of local people was □ I think my building is well designed and will also evaluated from histogram plot. Results of analysis are withstand an earthquake event given in the following headings. □ I am sure that my sleeping space is secure during and after disaster Gender effects on disaster risk reduction issues Demographic factors always have some relationship Survey procedure with DRR process in a community. To explore this issue, Local representatives of the major political parties in preliminary analysis has been carried out on the basis of Nepal, who have basic knowledge of disasters, were gender and age groups of the local people. selected as enumerators, as they usually have a close An independent t-test analysis (Table 1) suggests acquaintance and a strong convincing relation with that there is no statistically significant gender-based the local people. The enumerators were asked to select difference in disaster knowledge, disaster readiness, survey participants with basic education (that is, at least disaster awareness, and disaster risk perception of the high school graduates) who could understand and answer surveyed people, which can be understood from sig- the questions well. The survey was conducted more in nificance of t-test values greater than 0.05 (two-tailed) presence of the enumerators themselves in an interview for almost all key disaster issues. Only for the case of style for the clarity of the questions as well as answers of awareness, the male participants were found more the respondents. In average, total time required for confused than the female, as indicated by less than completing onesurveywas 20–30 minutes. 0.05 significance of t-test result. Likewise, when the people were asked about the use of Method of analysis media as a source of disaster information, it was found that To examine overall DRR knowledge of local people, the number of females using national television (that is, histogram analysis, bivariate correlations and independent Nepal Television) is greater, but the males were found to sample t-tests was conducted. Basically, the descriptive prefer FM radios to learn about and get disaster information. analyses helped to examine the relationship between disaster risk reduction initiatives of government of Nepal and the local people’s knowledge on DRR. Five key DRR Disaster risk reduction issues and People’s response issues were considered in our analysis: disaster knowledge, The DRR knowledge of local people was analyzed disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster adaptation, with people’s response on five key DRR issues (disaster Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 7 of 12 Table 1 Statistical analysis of key disaster risk reduction local level are in satisfactory level, and the people are rather issues positive about gaining disaster-related knowledge. Key DRR Issues Female Male t(124) Sig. Disaster preparedness and readiness behaviour Mean SD Mean SD Six main questions were asked to explore people’s readiness 1 Knowledge: Well 42.33 10.50 33.67 5.51 1.27 0.27 understood behaviour towards the disasters. Out of these questions, there were positive responses for five questions and Knowledge: 35.00 8.19 44.33 3.79 -1.79 0.15 Understood negative responses for two questions. More than 80 Knowledge: Not clear 16.00 5.00 11.67 4.62 1.10 0.33 percent respondents do not think that the government has made enough preparations for DRR (Figure 5). They Knowledge: Confusing 5.33 5.51 7.00 0.00 -0.52 0.63 also do not agree that the government provides enough Knowledge: No idea 1.67 2.89 4.33 1.53 -1.41 0.23 relief after a disaster. They also comment that there is a 2 Readiness: Very ready 24.86 15.53 25.14 17.35 -0.03 0.97 lack of governmental mechanism to support them after a Readiness: Ready 39.14 15.74 32.57 16.49 0.76 0.46 disaster. About 25 percent respondents still believe that Readiness: Not ready 24.14 21.61 21.29 11.61 0.31 0.76 disaster and loss have direct link with their fate, while Readiness: Confusing 7.71 4.42 12.29 10.29 -1.08 0.30 about 70 percent of the respondents are not convinced that governmental or nongovernmental institutions will Readiness: No idea 4.43 7.68 8.57 5.94 -1.13 0.28 initiate the post-disaster reconstruction activities. 3 Awareness: Well aware 21.71 13.56 21.71 11.76 0.00 1.00 However, the respondents were found to be well motivated Awareness: Aware 42.00 10.50 42.43 5.80 -0.09 0.93 to talk about the disasters with their friends, colleagues, Awareness: Not aware 22.71 10.34 16.14 5.90 1.46 0.17 and neighbors. An overall impression about the readiness Awareness: Confusing 2.29 4.27 7.29 1.80 -2.85 0.01 behavior of the people suggested that nearly 25 percent of Awareness: No idea 11.43 4.93 13.14 7.52 -0.50 0.62 the local people are still confused and are not ready to confront the disasters. 4 Adaptation: Well 32.29 13.21 29.57 11.16 2.71 0.69 adapted Disaster adaptation Adaptation: Adapted 37.57 14.25 43.57 7.63 -6.00 0.35 The disaster adaptation capacity in the local people of Adaptations: Not 14.29 7.87 11.14 3.76 3.14 0.36 adapted Nepal was evaluated through seven main questions (Figure 6). In general, more than 60 percent of the Adaptation: Confusing 7.57 5.35 6.29 2.36 1.29 0.57 respondents were determined to adapt state of disaster in Adaptation: No idea 8.43 7.44 10.00 4.55 -1.57 0.64 the community. At present, although DRR programs and 5 Perception: Well 14.8 15.7 18.3 20.5 -0.582 0.582 campaigns are being implemented and accomplished by perceived various INGOs and NGOs, nearly 50 percent of the Perception: Perceived 9.0 11.6 14.3 8.5 -0.154 0.883 respondents was found negative on their activities, Perception: Not 44.8 20.3 28.8 18.0 1.18 0.283 and respondents give little importance to the role of perceived INGOs/NGOs in disaster information dissemination. Perception: Confusing 22.5 17.0 24.0 9.5 -0.73 0.493 Perception: No idea 9.3 15.3 15.5 15.0 -0.271 0.796 Disaster awareness Seven statements were asked to evaluate respondent’s knowledge, disaster readiness, disaster awareness, disaster disaster awareness level (Figure 7). Only less than 20 adaptation and disaster risk perception) considered in this percent of them were confused with the awareness activ- research. Results for each issue are described in following ities for disaster risk in their community. This is a posi- sub-headings. tive result for the governmental or nongovernmental institutions that are working for DRR issues in the com- munity level. However, nearly 20 percent of respondents Disaster-related knowledge do not know or do not agree with the concept of disas- Three main questions were asked to explore the level ter emergency bag. They emphasized that the concept of of disaster-related knowledge. More than 30 percent emergency bag is not practical for them. of the respondents were found to be familiar with the disaster-related facts (Figure 4). About 80 percent of them Disaster risk perception were found to agree with the importance of disaster risk- Four main questions were asked to the respondents so related trainings for them. This result indicates that the as to evaluate the risk perception. More than 75 percent awareness campaigns of both governmental and nongov- of the respondents were found to be unaware of large-scale ernmental organizations related to disaster knowledge in disasters in their communities (Figure 8) despite the fact Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 8 of 12 Figure 4 Evaluation of disaster-related knowledge in local people of Nepal. that the annual disaster record of Nepal (see Figure 1) the respondents feel that landslides may not be a problem roughly indicates that major disasters occur in about every for them, which in fact is a highly underestimated re- 10 years. sponse. As most of the respondents are from mountainous areas, they must have a sound knowledge of landslide Disaster insecurity processes and associated disasters in their area. In case of People were asked about the level of insecurity they have floods also, the respondents were found to have a similar from eight kinds of common natural disasters in Nepal. opinion. This clearly indicates that the DRR issues are They responded in five levels of insecurity from the either not being well protruded or are focused more on disasters. The responses clearly demonstrate their disaster earthquake issues in the community level. Although many risk perception. Most of the respondents feel that they are people are well aware disaster awareness programs, still insecure from all kinds of disasters (Figure 9), but the one third of the respondents were worried for all kind of maximum insecurity is associated with earthquake, storm, disasters and could not recognize major disaster problem hail, drought, and extreme rainfall. Nearly 40 percent of in his/her area. Figure 5 Readiness behaviour of people for disaster risk reduction. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 9 of 12 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% I don't know Strongly Disagree Agree Strongly disagree agree Aware of the shelter areas and open space in case of a disaster Information about which government office needs to be contacted after the disaster Knowledge about disaster prone area Getting enough information from INGO/NGO about disaster adaptation Knowledge about an evacuation area during a disaster Community activities for disasters Life in state of evacuation after the disaster Figure 6 Response of the people to the various disaster adaptation systems in the community. Discussion and their mitigation. Despite a fact that landslides This study has helped to understand the status and and flood are most affecting and most frequent natural importance of DRR knowledge dissemination process in disasters in Nepal, many people were found to feel rural communities of Nepal. Although the line agencies only less insecure from these disaster events. In Nepal, (that, governmental and nongovernmental institutions for the last 20 years, the information about earthquake that have been involved in DRR activities in various disaster is well disseminated by various organizations communities of Nepal) claim that DRR concept and (Dixit et al. 2013), which might have resulted in posi- disaster education are now already functioning in the tive consequences of people’s increased awareness in local communities and all local people have been earthquake-related disasters. Moreover, despite a fact that gaining DRR knowledge through awareness campaigns, disaster education programs are doing good or satisfactory trainings, meetings, and so on, the ground reality indicates in Nepal (UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific that the situation is still incoherent. In this work, people’s and Cultural Organization and UNICEF United Nations knowledge in five key DRR issues was explored through a Children’s Fund 2012), the survey results have shown that questionnaire survey on at least high school graduates, the people have a greater likelihood of feeling insecure but the findings are not very encouraging. For example, about all kinds of disaster. Even today, most people do not one of findings indicates that many people are still have site-specific disaster knowledge, and the level of obscured on awareness activities for disaster risk anxiety towards all kinds of disasters is the same. management in community. A few satisfactory results More than 30 percent of the respondents have answered were obtained particularly concerning the status of that all of the eight kinds of disasters (flood, landslide, people’s knowledge in disaster. Although the level of earthquake, fire, storm, hail, drought, and extreme rainfall) knowledge of both male and female respondents in may occur sometime in their areas, which in fact is DRR issues is not different, many males were found not a correct understanding of major disaster issues to be still confused about procedures for raising disaster of his/her area. awareness. An analysis of the obtained results has shown Although the number of samples collected is not that the local people lack accurate knowledge of disasters high, this study has pointed out a few deficiencies in Percentage of responders Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 10 of 12 Figure 7 Response of the people to various disaster awareness related action in the community. the process of disseminating disaster risk reduction Conclusions knowledge in Nepal. The findings in this work are The questionnaire survey results obtained during the expected to encourage the line agencies that have course of this field-based research work clearly point out been working in DRR issues in the country towards at the deficiencies and limitations in the process of DRR modification in their programs intended for the local knowledge dissemination to the local communities of communities. We believe an independent research Nepal. This work has attempted to evaluate specific work,suchthe onedoneinthisstudy,more clearly outcomes in relation to disaster preparedness of the shows the overall status of people’s knowledge as local people, their ability to identify and address the well as understanding in any relevant fields including risk of disasters, and disaster adaptation practice. DRR. However, in many DRR issues, people are still not Figure 8 Evaluation of risk perception of the people in the community. Tuladhar et al. Geoenvironmental Disasters (2015) 2:5 Page 11 of 12 they should consult for any additional support. Another tragedy about DRR in Nepal is that its practice is badly overshadowed and blended into various hypothetical approaches; and to the worst, most of the resources are spent more in discussions, workshops, and hiring foreign consultants instead of taking immediate action in the field with whatsoever available indigenous knowledge. As a result, DRR mainstreaming programs are likely to fade out between the communities and the line agencies leading to a dilemma of DRR knowledge among the local communities. One of the major challenges in DRR practice in a rural country like Nepal is implementation method, especially at personal level. The method of disaster education provides people knowledge and information and promotes Figure 9 Level of anxiety from different kind of disasters in Nepal. the DRR measures. To achieve this, local people need to be encouraged to learn about disaster basics, readiness behavior, awareness programs, adaptation process, and very clear and at the same time, they respond incorrectly. risk identification techniques. To strengthen people’sdis- Likewise, she/he is well aware for disaster risks but she/he aster risk awareness, proper and appropriate information is not well familiar with the adapt state of disaster. This should be disseminated to the local community leaders. is a contradictory response obtained during survey. Disaster education-related campaigns and programs may Through this study, it is understood that there are also provide a self-learning environment to the local many DRR lessons the local people need to learn further, people. School disaster education programs should also be and that the existing DRR knowledge dissemination encouraged in such a way that the community people can programs and processes need to be revised. Despite participate in the school disaster education program and also having the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 the students can participate in community-based disaster (UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for awareness and adaptation activities. These activities Disaster Reduction 2004, 2007, 2011) adopted, the mayhelpincreasethe knowledgeofDRR in the survey results show that Nepal has not satisfactorily im- communities, which may lead the community and plemented the DRR education initiatives. The HFA well people to greater readiness for disaster risk reduction emphasizes the role of education in DRR, especially process. the need of disaster education for developing a cul- Competing interest ture of disaster prevention in communities and The author’s declare that they have no competing interest. schools. At the present political and social conditions, the Author’s contribution disaster risk reduction programs run particularly by GT collected the data and performed the statistical analysis. He also drafted the manuscript. RY, RKD and NPB give suggestions on methodology and the INGOs or NGOs may sometimes also be misleading. developing questionnaire. All four authors read and approved the final As an important tributary of a broader sustainable manuscript. development pathway, DRR must be integrated with the development process in the communities. It needs to Acknowledgment This research has been conducted with the extensive help from officials and be mixedupwiththe developmentprocessatdifferent staffs of Himalayan Conservation Group. Local political leaders are also stages, and must become an integral part of the develop- acknowledged for their heartfelt support in data collection. ment activities. 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Geoenvironmental Disasters – Springer Journals

Published: Feb 26, 2015

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