Open AccessSuccess Factors for Community Participation in the Pre-Disaster Phase
Author(s) -
Adnan Enshassi,
Sobhi Shakalaih,
Sherif Ali Mohtady Mohamed
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/294/1/012027
Subject(s) - emergency management , community resilience , preparedness , capacity building , resilience (materials science) , business , risk management , nonprobability sampling , public relations , environmental planning , political science , environmental resource management , knowledge management , environmental health , geography , resource (disambiguation) , medicine , computer science , computer network , population , physics , environmental science , finance , law , thermodynamics
This study aimed to characterize the factors involved in successful participation in the pre-disaster phase in Palestinian communities involved with non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Data were obtained using a purposive sampling method of 86 community members in neighborhood committees, and the collected data underwent factor analysis. Correlations between the variables revealed that five components represented the success factors for community participation in pre-disaster management: risk perception, capacity building, education and knowledge, trust and networks, and awareness of disaster management. Capacity building for community committees and volunteers is considered an important success factor for community participation in the pre-disaster phase. Community awareness of risk sustains its preparedness activities. High levels of education and knowledge are crucial for proper functioning of a community, and engender resilience to potential disaster. It is advisable to establish a disaster management fund, which can be utilized to organize disaster management activities related to awareness and training and to support the vulnerable areas. Governments should play a significant role in strengthening capacity building in local communities and support NGOs before disasters occur to reduce disasters and their impact. This study adds to the current body of knowledge about disaster management in developing countries, particularly Palestine.