Abstract Information

Qualitative and quantitative community level approaches : disaster risk assessment in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality

• Journal Title: Africanus
• Volume: Volume 39
• Issue:  Issue 2
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 31  - 43
• Authors:  Gideon Van Riet;
• ISSN: 0304615X
• Abstract:  Community-based and scientific Disaster Risk Assessments (DRA's) are greatly neglected in the South African context. Although a legislative requirement, few municipal disaster risk management plans exhibit evidence of the above. This paper discusses one case where the above was prioritised. The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the process followed as a means of obtaining usable disaster risk information and to assess the nature of its local engagement. The main findings are that a tension exists between legislative requirements for municipal level DRA and the need for community based approaches. The author also finds that large scale survey methods, as a means of disaster risk assessment, should at best be used as a supplementary method to qualitative approaches. Surveys may be good for comparisons between settlements. However, qualitative methods are better at explaining the dynamics and subtle nuances of local risk profiles. Finally, the author proposes that a broader set of actors should be included in the DRA process, in particular regarding site selection, in order to maximise its usefulness.
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