Community based flood risk management approach in Northeastern Uganda

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Amuria district of Northeastern Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess the performance of Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) approach in mitigating disaster effects in the area. The objectives were to assess the effectiveness of community preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in mitigating disasters in the study area. Aberilela and Wera sub-counties were purposively selected, and two parishes were chosen from each of the two sub counties based on their vulnerability to flood disasters. A sample of 300 household heads were randomly selected. Methods of data collection included questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions, observation, and documents review. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and triangulated with thematic analysis of the data from interviews and field observations. Results from the study indicate that the CMDRR approach had performed well despite some shortcomings. The approach had been able to prepare the community by training them in disaster management activities, developing hazard prone maps, disaster plans, established effective rescue measures and other response measures for the affected communities. However, it had failed in building capacity among the communities to stock essential services including food, early warning systems and in detecting and predicting disaster as well as building gender and age balanced capacity in the communities. Overall, the performance of CMDRR committees in Amurai and particularly Abarilela and Wera sub-counties was above average. The study recommends that government should adopt this approach and replicate it in other disaster-prone areas for effective disaster management.