Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience
Knowledge and interpretation of local risks are essential in disaster mitigation. Auckland’s exposure to multiple hazards is a source of national concern. Considering the multiplicity of natural hazards in Auckland, investigations on how communities can enhance their resilience to possible disasters...
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doaj-ca0c11f5b2fe4762b0d984762181242d2020-11-25T03:53:15ZengAOSISJàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies2072-845X1996-14212020-05-01121e1e910.4102/jamba.v12i1.845316Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilienceOsamuede Odiase0Suzanne Wilkinson1Andreas Neef2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Centre for Disaster Recovery, Resilience, and Reconstruction, The University of Auckland, AucklandSchool of Built Environment, Massey University, AucklandDepartment of Development Studies, The University of Auckland, AucklandKnowledge and interpretation of local risks are essential in disaster mitigation. Auckland’s exposure to multiple hazards is a source of national concern. Considering the multiplicity of natural hazards in Auckland, investigations on how communities can enhance their resilience to possible disasters have become imperative. Convincing individuals to embark on activities that would reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards is difficult, especially in communities that have not recently experienced the impact of natural hazards. This research investigated risk knowledge and interpretation in the South African community in Auckland. Data for this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A questionnaire was distributed amongst the South African population, and follow-up interviews with participants constituted the primary sources of data collection. Other sources were materials in the public domain. Regarding data analysis, an independent-sample t-test and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to analyse the quantitative research data. A general inductive approach for qualitative data was used to analyse the research interviews. The research confirmed the subjectivity in risk perception and also revealed a high-risk perception, especially for earthquake, flood and tsunami. Whilst this study agreed that there is a relationship between risk perception and preparedness, such relationship is often contextual. The research concludes that risk perception could contribute to disaster resilience if communities appreciate the impact of a natural hazard irrespective of disaster experience or otherwise.https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/845risk knowledgerisk perceptionnatural hazardsdisaster preparednessresiliencesouth africa |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Osamuede Odiase Suzanne Wilkinson Andreas Neef |
spellingShingle |
Osamuede Odiase Suzanne Wilkinson Andreas Neef Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience Jàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies risk knowledge risk perception natural hazards disaster preparedness resilience south africa |
author_facet |
Osamuede Odiase Suzanne Wilkinson Andreas Neef |
author_sort |
Osamuede Odiase |
title |
Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
title_short |
Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
title_full |
Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
title_fullStr |
Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
title_full_unstemmed |
Risk of a disaster: Risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
title_sort |
risk of a disaster: risk knowledge, interpretation and resilience |
publisher |
AOSIS |
series |
Jàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies |
issn |
2072-845X 1996-1421 |
publishDate |
2020-05-01 |
description |
Knowledge and interpretation of local risks are essential in disaster mitigation. Auckland’s exposure to multiple hazards is a source of national concern. Considering the multiplicity of natural hazards in Auckland, investigations on how communities can enhance their resilience to possible disasters have become imperative. Convincing individuals to embark on activities that would reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards is difficult, especially in communities that have not recently experienced the impact of natural hazards. This research investigated risk knowledge and interpretation in the South African community in Auckland. Data for this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A questionnaire was distributed amongst the South African population, and follow-up interviews with participants constituted the primary sources of data collection. Other sources were materials in the public domain. Regarding data analysis, an independent-sample t-test and Spearman’s correlation analysis were used to analyse the quantitative research data. A general inductive approach for qualitative data was used to analyse the research interviews. The research confirmed the subjectivity in risk perception and also revealed a high-risk perception, especially for earthquake, flood and tsunami. Whilst this study agreed that there is a relationship between risk perception and preparedness, such relationship is often contextual. The research concludes that risk perception could contribute to disaster resilience if communities appreciate the impact of a natural hazard irrespective of disaster experience or otherwise. |
topic |
risk knowledge risk perception natural hazards disaster preparedness resilience south africa |
url |
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/845 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT osamuedeodiase riskofadisasterriskknowledgeinterpretationandresilience AT suzannewilkinson riskofadisasterriskknowledgeinterpretationandresilience AT andreasneef riskofadisasterriskknowledgeinterpretationandresilience |
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