People’s awareness, knowledge and perception influencing earthquake vulnerability of a community: A study on Ward no. 14, Mymensingh Municipality, Bangladesh

Uttama Barua (), Shahrin Mannan, Ishrat Islam, Mohammad Shakil Akther, Md. Aminul Islam, Tamanna Akter, Raquib Ahsan and Mehedy Ahmed Ansary
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Uttama Barua: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Shahrin Mannan: International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)
Ishrat Islam: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Mohammad Shakil Akther: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Md. Aminul Islam: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Tamanna Akter: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Raquib Ahsan: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Mehedy Ahmed Ansary: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2020, vol. 103, issue 1, No 53, 1181 pages

Abstract: Abstract Loss and damage in an area after an earthquake is increased due to complex nature of awareness, knowledge and perception influencing vulnerability of exposed communities. In this regard, the objectives of this research are firstly to understand the existing condition and distinction among people’s earthquake awareness, knowledge and their actualized perception in relation to their personal contexts and social capital and secondly to explore how such distinction influences earthquake vulnerability of the community. Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to earthquake, where Mymensingh municipality is located in high earthquake hazard prone zone. In this regard, Ward no. 14 of Mymensingh municipality has been considered as the study area. For the purpose of this research, questionnaire survey of 700 sample households in the study area was carried out. The study reveals that in spite of lower participation in earthquake-related program, most residents are aware of earthquake vulnerability of the area. But such awareness encompasses very limited knowledge. In spite of such lack of knowledge, most of the residents have better perception and are willing to work as a volunteer. In contrary, people, especially the owners, are in denial of their own vulnerability. The awareness, knowledge and perception is higher among educated people and people having social interaction. The findings of this study should be considered to design awareness raising and capacity building programs to ensure their success with participation of local people and thereby implement community-based disaster management in the study area. This study has opportunity to be replicated in other areas of Bangladesh as well as other countries with necessary modifications considering respective contexts and other hazards.

Keywords: Earthquake vulnerability; Awareness; knowledge and perception; Resilience and capacity; Personal context and social capital; Community-based disaster management (CBDM) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04028-2

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