Hazards/Risk Assessment Mapping In Selected High-Risk Urban Areas Including KAP Survey

 

INTRODUCTION

Hazard and risk assessment mapping is a vital tool for comprehending and mitigating potential threats in urban disasters and their surroundings. This process involves identifying, evaluating, and visualizing various hazards, such as natural disasters.

Advantages of Hazard assessment mapping:

1. It aids in identifying vulnerable areas and populations by enhancing risk understanding.
2. It supplies data for developing effective disaster preparedness and response plans, guides the allocation of resources and efforts toward addressing the most critical risks, and supports the development of resilient infrastructure and communities.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• ISET Nepal, supported by DCA Nepal, has implemented an urban Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) project called “Risk to Resilience through Collective Local Actions – Making Cities Resilient (NEXUS-II)” in Changunarayan Municipality. This initiative aims to promote resilient and sustainable urban growth in an area prone to multiple disasters due to rapid urbanization, hilly terrain, fragile geology, and climate change impacts.
• The project targets vulnerable populations, including low and middle-income groups, women, marginalized communities, and the elderly, who are disproportionately affected by disasters.
• The project “Risk to Resilience through Collective Local Actions” aims to reduce vulnerability to recurrent disasters in Changunarayan Municipality.
• It has supported green enterprises in enhancing resilience amidst challenges such as the COVID-19.
• The project has also influenced local policies to enhance disaster resilience within the city.
• This year’s project aims to scale up activities for institutionalization, livelihood support, and capacity building to ensure urban resilience through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations.

The primary objectives of the KAP study are:

• To assess the community’s knowledge about potential hazards and risks.
• To evaluate the community’s attitudes towards hazard preparedness and risk mitigation.
• To examine the current practices related to hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness.
• To develop targeted interventions to enhance community resilience.

SITE DESCRIPTION

Changunarayan Municipality is located in the Bhaktapur District and part of Province No. 3 of Nepal. The municipality comprises former Village Development Committees (Changunarayan, Chhaling, Duwakot, and Jaukhel) and consists of nine wards covering an area of 62.18 km². The municipality holds historical and archaeological importance and was named after the ancient Changunarayan temple, also enlisted in the World Heritage site. According to the 2011 Nepal census, Changunarayan Municipality had a total household of 12,970 and a population of 55,430, with a male population of 26,992 and a female population of 28,438.

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

The household survey was carried out to understand knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hazards, risks, preparedness, and intervention at the community and local government level. Series of questions were developed using the Likert scale and was translated in Nepali to ease comprehension for enumerators. Two different wards (wards 2 and 6) were selected for the survey with the participation of 600 respondents.

 

Six enumerators hired for the survey were selected while considering the following criteria:

• Well familiar with culture and language in the local community.
• Previous experience in household surveys.
• Completion of higher secondary level education.
• Ability to quickly comprehend the evaluation questions, appropriately ask questions to the respondents and carefully record the answers.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Respondent’s details

• 73% were of age group 25-60, 9.3% were of 15-24 years and 16.8% of the respondents were above 60 years.

• 62.2% were female and the remaining 37.8% were male.

 

• 28.7% of the respondents had no formal education. Respondents with primary and secondary level education were each around 24%. The remaining had higher education level.

Knowledge of hazards and risks

• Majority of the respondents had a prior hazard experience of earthquake.

• Around 70% of the respondents thought that they had a fair knowledge of potential hazards.

• The major source of knowledge of hazards according to the survey was News media which includes communication portals like TV, radio, newspaper and so on. The other major sources of knowledge about the hazards were personal experience, social media and family & friends.

• 72.3% of the respondents knew the emergency contact numbers to call in case of hazard.

• Only 27.9% of the respondents had taken formal training on disaster preparedness and risk management.

• 61% were aware of early warning systems in place for hazards such as floods, earthquakes and landslides.

• 17.8% are unfamiliar with the location of the nearest evacuation center or safe area in case of an emergency.

• 13.4% did not understand the specific actions to take before during and after disaster.

• 88.6% were aware of techniques to identify early signs of natural hazards.

• 37.9% were unaware of community group or organizations focused on disaster risk reduction and management in their area.

Attitude towards hazards and risks

• 52.9% believed that their community is not properly prepared to handle various kind of disasters.

• Only 36.6% of the respondents thought that the measures taken by the local authorities were good.

• 92.2% of the respondents thought that it was important to have a emergency preparedness plan in their household.

• 60.6% of the respondents were confident that they had ability to protect themselves and their families in case of hazard.

• 93.4% of the respondents believed that the hazards and risks were increasing due to climate change.

 

• 40.7% were dissatisfied with their community’s current level of disaster preparedness.

• 91.3% were willing to participate in community activities focused on disaster risk reduction and preparedness.

• 86.5% of the respondents said that they trust the information provided by local authorities and NGOs about hazards and risks. 8.4% were not sure whether to trust or not.

• 90.1% of the respondents believed that community based interventions (e.g. training, awareness campaigns) are effective in reducing vulnerability to risks and disasters.

• 93.8% believed that education plays an important role in improving disaster preparedness.

• 87.2% pointed out the importance of Disaster Insurance whereas 11.2% didn’t know the importance of Disaster Insurance.

Practices related to hazard mitigation

• 86.4% of the respondents didn’t have an emergency plan in place for their household in case of a hazard.

• 83.4% had not participated in any disaster preparedness training or drills.

• 10.7% had a prepared emergency kit.
• 75.2% of the respondents had identified safe spots in their houses.
• Only 2.4% of the respondents had bought insurance.
• 21.7% had attended community meetings on disaster preparedness.

• Only 27.9% had arranged emergency supplies (food, first aid kit) for disaster incidences and also replenished them from time to time.

• 24.1% of the respondents had taken first aid or CPR training.

• More than 90% of the respondents didn’t have insurance to cover losses from natural disasters like earthquake and flood.

• Majority of the respondents said that they receive alerts and warnings about potential hazards via radio/TV broadcasts and social media.

• 27.4% had participated in community planning or discussions on disaster risk reduction and management.

• 82.9% of the respondents had medium to low priority towards spending on disaster preparedness.

• 69.3% didn’t have a list of emergency contact numbers easily accessible to all family members.

• Only 13.3% included their pets in the emergency plan for their household.

CONCLUSION

1. Knowledge about Hazards and Risks

• Strong Points: Most respondents are informed about hazard alerts and warnings, primarily via SMS/phone, social media, and radio/TV. This indicates the effectiveness of these channels in disseminating information.
• Gaps Identified:
  • A small group does not have access to any alert system, which could be due to technological, geographical, or infrastructural limitations.
  • Over-reliance on specific methods (like SMS/phone alerts) may leave gaps for those without access to mobile phones or reliable network coverage.
• Implications: While general awareness exists, it is uneven, with some vulnerable populations potentially left out.

2. Attitudes Towards Hazard Preparedness

• General Trends:
  • Only 14% of respondents consider disaster preparedness a high priority, while the majority (67%) rate it as medium or low priority. This indicates a general underestimation of disaster risks in daily life.
  • Competing financial priorities could overshadow disaster preparedness, suggesting a perception that risks are not immediate or severe.
• Key Concerns:
  • A lack of urgency could result in inadequate household-level preparedness, leaving communities vulnerable during actual hazards.
  • Low priority reflects limited integration of preparedness into everyday decision-making.
• Implications: Changing attitudes will be critical to motivating proactive behavior.

3. Practices Related to Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness

• Positive Practices:
  • Many respondents (321) have taken steps like identifying safe spots in their homes, demonstrating some level of basic preparedness.
  • About 28% of households have arranged emergency supplies, a crucial step toward disaster resilience.
• Areas of Concern:
  • Practical measures like securing heavy furniture, creating emergency kits, or participating in community meetings remain underutilized.
  • Only 24% have undertaken first aid or CPR training, leaving a significant gap in life-saving skills during emergencies.
  • Insurance coverage for natural disasters is alarmingly low (4%), indicating a lack of financial resilience to recover from losses.
  • Community engagement in planning and discussions is limited to 27%, reducing opportunities for collective risk mitigation efforts.
• Implications:
  • While individual steps are being taken, the overall preparedness picture is fragmented and inconsistent. There is a need to move from isolated actions to holistic, community-wide strategies.

4. Barriers to Effective Preparedness

• Structural Challenges:
  • Limited access to alerts for certain populations highlights disparities in communication and infrastructure.
  • Lack of financial resources or competing priorities might be preventing households from investing in preparedness.
• Behavioral Challenges:
  • Perceived invulnerability or low prioritization of risks indicates a behavioral gap in understanding the potential consequences of unpreparedness.
• Community Challenges:
  • Low participation in community planning reflects either a lack of awareness about such opportunities or a perception that such activities are not beneficial.

 The community exhibits pocket of knowledge and preparedness but lacks a cohesive, widespread culture of disaster readiness. The combination of uneven awareness, lukewarm attitudes, and inconsistent practices creates vulnerabilities that could significantly impact the community during a hazard event. Addressing these gaps will require both individual and collective efforts, supported by targeted interventions. These conclusions emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to address knowledge gaps, transform attitudes, and promote consistent preparedness practices across the community.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Increase Awareness of Hazards and Risk Preparedness

• Tailored Communication Campaigns:
  • Design community-specific campaigns using local languages and culturally appropriate methods.
  • Use a combination of SMS, radio, TV, social media, and community loudspeakers to ensure wide coverage.
  • Create materials that emphasize the specific risks for the community, such as floods, earthquakes, or fires, and the importance of timely alerts.
• Focus on Hard-to-Reach Populations:
  • Identify groups that lack access to alerts (e.g., those without mobile phones or internet access).
  • Collaborate with local organizations to create alternative methods, like neighborhood watch programs or door-to-door communication.
• Disseminate Knowledge About Insurance:
  • Raise awareness about the benefits of natural disaster insurance through local workshops and public forums.
  • Partner with insurers to provide affordable options and promote micro-insurance schemes.

2. Strengthen Attitudes Toward Disaster Preparedness

• Emphasize the Benefits:
  • Use data and case studies to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of preparedness measures (e.g., how an emergency kit can save lives during a crisis).
  • Share stories of communities that benefited from preparedness to create relatable examples.
• Incorporate Preparedness into Daily Life:
  • Encourage people to make disaster preparedness a routine part of household budgeting and planning.
  • Highlight the connection between preparedness and personal/family safety, appealing to emotional motivations.
• Collaborate with Schools and Religious Institutions:
  • Integrate disaster awareness programs into school curricula to instill preparedness as a norm from a young age.
  • Work with religious leaders or institutions to spread messages during gatherings or events.

3. Promote Practical Preparedness Measures

• Emergency Supplies:
  • Distribute free or subsidized starter emergency kits containing essentials (food, water, first aid supplies).
  • Educate households on replenishing supplies regularly and using local resources effectively.
• Secure Homes and Belongings:
  • Offer workshops on simple, cost-effective ways to secure heavy furniture and other hazards in homes.
  • Provide incentives (such as discounts on safety tools) to encourage proactive actions.

4. Expand Access to Training Programs

• Free or Subsidized Training:
  • Offer regular first aid and CPR training sessions in collaboration with health organizations.
  • Include disaster-specific training, such as fire safety, flood evacuation, and earthquake response.
• Use Community-Based Trainers:
  • Train local volunteers as facilitators, enabling more frequent and accessible training sessions.
  • Empower these trainers to organize mock drills and simulations to prepare the community for real scenarios.

5. Enhance Community Engagement

• Organize Community Dialogues:
  • Facilitate regular discussions and workshops on disaster preparedness at the ward or municipal level.
  • Include diverse stakeholders like local leaders, women’s groups, and youth organizations to ensure inclusivity.
• Form Community Preparedness Teams:
  • Create local teams responsible for coordinating hazard mitigation efforts, disseminating information, and responding during emergencies.
  • Equip these teams with basic tools and resources to enhance their effectiveness.
• Promote Peer Learning:
  • Encourage communities to share experiences and best practices with neighboring areas, fostering mutual learning.

6. Address Structural Barriers

• Improve Accessibility of Alerts:
  • Develop low-cost solutions for communities without access to mobile networks or the internet, such as solar-powered radios or community noticeboards.
  • Ensure alerts are inclusive, catering to persons with disabilities by using audio and visual signals.
• Encourage Policy Support:
  • Advocate for policies that mandate businesses, schools, and institutions to include disaster preparedness in their operations.
  • Lobby for government subsidies for disaster preparedness tools and insurance.

7. Focus on Holistic and Inclusive Planning

• Family Preparedness Plans:
  • Educate households on creating inclusive emergency plans, considering all family members, including children, the elderly, and pets.
  • Provide templates and checklists to simplify the process.
• Special Focus on Vulnerable Groups:
  • Prioritize support for low-income households, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups by tailoring interventions to their specific needs.

8. Leverage Technology and Partnerships

• Mobile Apps for Preparedness:
  • Develop apps or platforms providing step-by-step guides for creating emergency kits, learning safety measures, and tracking hazards in real time.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders:
  • Partner with NGOs, local government, and international agencies to pool resources and expertise.
  • Work with tech companies to deploy early warning systems or improve communication infrastructure.

 

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