Jamba-Journal of Disaster Risk Studies最新文献

A large number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries operate in informal settlements. Most of these settlements exist in hazardous environment despite being affected by floods. This research discusses the scarcity of knowledge on the resilience of businesses operating in Kigogo flood-prone informal settlements in Dar es Salaam. It especially focusses on MSMEs. Although recovery of MSMEs has been intensively studied worldwide, in Tanzania it is downgraded. This article is set to bridge this glaring gap focusing on MSMEs recovery after floods. The research methodology employed quantitative research design by completing questionnaires through interviews. A total of 202 owners of MSMEs were interviewed. While content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, the research further employed a logistic unit model to analyse factors explaining recovery of MSMEs after floods. The study revealed a statistically significant association between the recovery of MSMEs and suitable plans for safeguarding business, personal savings, profit (saving from business) and government support. Other factors include family and friend's support, business continuity training, longevity in business operation, pre-disaster mitigation measures, critical destruction to business facilities, and running several businesses. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis of the business environment where MSMEs operate revealed a number of issues that inform policymakers, urban planners and environmentalists on what can be done to enhance recovery and hence promote sustainable development.

Contribution: The study adds to the body of knowledge by drawing attention to factors that predict disaster recovery of MSMEs operating in flood-prone informal settlements.

There is an increased frequency of floods in different parts of the world due to Climate Change and many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa face WASH challenges which have worsened during flood and drought incidences. Tsholotsho District has been experiencing an increased frequency of floods over the years and WASH situation has continuously deteriorated. To build the resilience of communities, there are so many programmes that have been introduced toaddress WASH challenges. The paper aimed at assessing the various determinants influencing the adoption of WASH programmes in flood prone Tsholotsho District. A quantitative approach was used to collect data from Household heads in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 using Questionnaires. A total of 218 Questionnaires were administered in all four wards. A Probit regression analysis and Zero-inflated ordered logit regression analysis were then done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study revealed that the coefficient of access to treated water, gender, source of water, level of education, and marital status is positive and statistically significant with the adoption of WASH programmes by the household head in the study area. These factors were also revealed to influence the level of adoption of WASH programmes.

Contribution: There is a positive and significant relationship between access to safe water, source of water, level of education, gender, age and marital status and WASH programmes. Therefore, there is a need to consider the determinants of the adoption of WASH programmes to effectively build the resilience of communities.

The study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal impact of ISTIFAR programme (Islamic-Based Training for Family Resilience) to the family state of coping, resilience and disaster preparedness on longitudinal observation. A quasi-experimental design was employed with pre- and post-test intervention group only. The sample size was 63 families that survived the earthquake, which sampled using purposive sampling. The sampling criteria were disaster survivor, head of household, Muslim and mentally healthy. The variable was pre- and post-observation of coping, family resilience and disaster preparedness, with confounding factor of stress. The interview performed by structured questionnaire. The data analysed with Mann-Whitney U test and ordinal regression (α < 0.05). The result was a statistical difference between the observation of 6 months prior and follow-up but a slight decline in all variables mean. In detail, coping (p = 0.000), family resilience (p = 0.000) and the disaster preparedness (p = 0.023). There was no statistical correlation between the coping, family resilience and the disaster preparedness towards pandemic stress (p = 0.747). Islamic-Based Training for Family Resilience positively impact coping, resilience and disaster preparedness, albeit slight declines over 6 months, but no evident correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic stress.

Contribution: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the effectiveness of authentic disaster preparedness facilitated through ISTIFAR among vulnerable families. It suggests that enhancing resilience, particularly concerning disaster preparedness and, notably, amids the COVID-19 pandemic, can be achieved through authentic local methodologies. The grounded approach proves beneficial, indicating that interventions within communities should not be universally applicable but tailored to leverage local community wisdom.

Previous pandemics, recent outbreaks, and imminent public health events are a clarion call for functional public health surveillance systems that timeously detect public health events, guide interventions, and inform public health policy. We reviewed the Eastern Cape Provincial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance approach to determine best practices and opportunities to strengthen public health surveillance. We conducted a document review of COVID-19 surveillance reports, tools and guidelines prepared between March 2020 and November 2021. Iterative content and thematic analysis were applied to identify strengths and shortcomings of provincial COVID-19 surveillance. Strengths and shortcomings of the provincial COVID-19 surveillance process, and human, technical, and technological resources for surveillance were described. The existence of local surveillance networks, local availability of national-level surveillance guidelines, the ability to describe and track COVID-19 epidemiology, and provincial access to a national, web-based centralised COVID-19 surveillance data system were strengths identified. Shortcomings included poor data quality, data disharmony between sub-national reporting levels, under-resourced surveillance capacity at district level, and suboptimal use of the routine surveillance system for COVID-19 surveillance. The review determined the need for a web-based, integrated surveillance system that was agile in meeting evolving surveillance needs and accessible at all health reporting levels for response and decision-making.

Contribution: The review identified opportunities to advance the existing routine public health surveillance system and improve public health surveillance and response. This qualitative review articulates local knowledge that should be translated into strategies and actions to bolster public health preparedness.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems around the world took a lot of pressure, and the resilience of these systems has been addressed in thedisaster management and COVID-19 literature. However, little focus has been given to the resilience of hospitals in general. Therefore, the study assessed one hospital in the Free State province of South Africa as a preliminary study for a project that will look at all hospitals in the Free State province. The study assessed the following: (1) the preparedness and actionable strategies that were implemented across the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) the resilience plans of the hospitals and also determined (3) the resilience of the hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital. Using the R statistical program and modelling, I found that the study hospital was not prepared holistically for the COVID-19 pandemic. The five generalised linear mixed models and the general linear models applied did not show significant differences for the most important variables used to measure resilience. The models showed the hospital to be less resilient to pandemics. Several vulnerabilities were recorded across the hospital.

Contribution: This study's findings suggest that the studied hospital is not resilient to pandemics and will be able to make recommendations to relevant government departments to work together to strengthen the resilience of the country's healthcare system once the project is completed.

This paper, adopting theoretical-methodological assumptions, aims to analyse the risk of municipal urban water shortage in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil, through the results of the Water Shortage Risk Index (WSRI). The WSRI is the product of the analysis of 19 variables, in a systemic perspective that involves environmental, infrastructural, socioeconomic and state planning indicators. The survey was carried out in the 153 municipalities that make up the water supply system managed by the state concessionaire (representing 92% of the 167 municipalities in the State), in its seven water supply regions. The WSRI result identified 49.0% of the municipalities analysed in the 'high' and 'very high' risk classes; 40.5% as 'medium' risk and 10.0% as 'low' risk, with no occurrences of 'very low' risk. In absolute values, 1 municipality was classified as 'very high'; 74 were classified as 'high'; 62 as 'average'; and 16 were considered to be at 'low' risk of water shortages.

Contribution: To decrease and/or mitigate the results of the WSRI in the State, the transposition of basins, integration of supply systems, hydrogeological research, among others, were proposed.

Technological advancements and the ubiquity of digital platforms have accelerated the spread of false information, undermining governance and social harmony. Despite its significance, there remains no academic consensus on a taxonomy for the various manifestations of false information. This study addresses this gap and examines the complex societal implications of misinformation. The research identifies motives behind the spread of false information and assesses its impact on governance and social contracts, with a focus on South Africa during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A qualitative approach was followed, using documentary research and secondary analysis of qualitative data. While global trends in misinformation were initially explored, the study primarily focused on South Africa, covering the period from the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Wuhan in December 2019 to 5 March 2021, one year after South Africa's first reported case. A literature review was conducted to examine the origins and spread of misinformation, including government measures and public responses. The findings revealed that power and greed are primary drivers of misinformation, with entrenched worldviews, scepticism towards authority, and a lack of critical evaluation skills intensifying the issue. The spread of misinformation had significant impacts on governmental crisis management and social cohesion in South Africa.

Contribution: This study contributes to understanding misinformation's societal impact and provides a framework for future empirical studies on crisis management and government-citizen relations. It aligns with the journal's focus on contemporary challenges in information dissemination.

Fire disaster preparedness has been reported as critical in schools, especially for schools that have learners with special needs. This study, therefore, through a quantitative research approach, collected data from 88 participants across nine special needs schools (SNS) in the North West Province of South Africa to assess the fire preparedness of these schools. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The study applied descriptive and inferential statistics using R Statistical Software package to analyse questions that gauged the fire preparedness of the sampled schools. Four generalised linear and one ordinal regression models were applied to the data and found statistically significant differences for some predictors across the four applied GLMs. Significant results were found for the school fire safety management model applied to the Disaster Preparedness Strategy framework (χ² = 206.7; p = 0.01; R ² = 90.5%). However, a significant difference was only found in the question of early warning systems across the eight predictor variables for the framework.

Contribution: The maintenance and recordkeeping model showed significant results in terms of record maintenance and the frequency of fire safety equipment inspections. While compliance with specific fire safety regulations is essential, broader engagement and continuous improvement in early warning systems are necessary for a more resilient disaster preparedness strategy. This study addresses a critical gap in understanding and improving fire hazard preparedness in these schools. The authors therefore recommend intervention from the authorities to assist these schools to prepare for fires.

The growing frequency and severity of disasters worldwide have highlighted the need for environmental health practitioners to be equipped with specialised training to respond effectively to evolving public health contexts. Disasters can have long-lasting impacts on the environment and environmental health services, necessitating prompt and effective responses. However, the current environmental health workforce faces challenges in acquiring the necessary competencies to address environmental health threats during disasters. This narrative review synthesises existing literature on disaster management education for environmental health professionals, exploring current training, advancements and emerging trends. The review follows Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and includes a total of 45 records that met inclusion criteria (compromising 15 peer-reviewed articles and 30 training records) published between 2002 and 2023. Findings highlight the expansion of environmental health degree programmes to include disaster management, better preparing newly qualified practitioners. However, a knowledge gap remains for previously qualified practitioners. High-income countries prioritising capacity building for environmental health practitioners in disaster management are better equipped to respond to and mitigate disasters.

Contribution: The review suggests that with proper basic training for disaster responders, more lives can be saved during and after disasters. It highlights the insufficiency of current training programmes and emphasises the need for advanced role-specific training for environmental health practitioners. The review emphasises the need for advanced role-specific training, community assessment skills and focused disaster response strategies to enhance environmental health practitioners' ability to respond to disasters and improve public health resilience. Enhanced training, capacity building and collaboration are necessary to improve the competencies, skills and knowledge of environmental health practitioners in disaster risk management and public health emergencies.

The Disaster Preparedness Village (Kampung Siaga Bencana or KSB) in Special Region of Yogyakarta Province (DIY) is a community that aims to increase community preparedness and resilience to disasters through collaboration between the local government, non-government organisations and the community. This research examines the sustainability factors of KSB, namely the role of local leadership and government collaboration in disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. The method used in this research is a qualitative method and Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis, then using a diamond model to visualise the role of local leadership and the role of government. The results of this research show the importance of local leadership role in the sustainability of KSB. Factors contributing to the success of DIY KSB include independence, fulfillment of social granary logistics and effective two-way communication between KSB management and the village government (Kalurahan). The study supports that effective local leadership empowers the community, influences resource utilisation and facilitates collaborative efforts with the village government and volunteer organisations to address disaster management priorities. In addition, the most significant shortcomings in community leadership based on trust cultural value will negatively impact their sustainability and activeness if the local actors as mobilisers are inactive, and there is no regeneration of active new leaders. The Umbulharjo KSB case study exemplifies effective local leadership, mainly through Jagabaya, the chairman of KSB management. Strong local leadership is a fundamental element in developing a cohesive community actively involved in DRR efforts.

Contribution: The study reveals that local leadership significantly contributes to the development and sustained activity of KSB. The research concludes by emphasising the multifaceted nature of local leadership, considering various perspectives and the community's values and goals. The diamond model illustrates the intersection between societal opportunities and government support, demonstrating the realisation of goals through effective local leadership.