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Disaster prevention, disaster preparedness and local community resilience within the context of disaster risk management in Cameroon

Author

Listed:
  • Festus Tongwa Aka

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI)
    Geotechnology, Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction (GEADIRR))

  • Gaston Wung Buh

    (Geotechnology, Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction (GEADIRR))

  • Wilson Yatoh Fantong

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

  • Issa

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

  • Isabella Tem Zouh

    (Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection)

  • Serges Laurent Bopda Djomou

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

  • Richard Tanwi Ghogomu

    (Geo-Environmental Management and Disaster Awareness (GEMDA))

  • Terry Gibson

    (Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction)

  • Mary-Ann Marmol del

    (Ghent University)

  • Luc Nkamdjou Sigha

    (International Commission of Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin (CICOS))

  • Takeshi Ohba

    (Tokai University)

  • Minoru Kusakabe

    (University of Toyama)

  • Yutaka Yoshida

    (Yoshida Consulting Engineering Office)

  • Gregory Tanyileke

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

  • Joseph Metuk Nnange

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

  • Joseph Victor Hell

    (Institute of Geological and Mining Research (IRGM) Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (MINRESI))

Abstract

Cameroon was one of the 57 countries that participated in the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) Views from the Frontline (VFL) 2013 project on everyday disasters, community resilience and disaster preparedness. Working with 6 other civil society organizations, Geotechnology, Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction administered 400 questionnaires to frontliners in 7 administrative regions of the country on 14 disaster indicators that assessed the underlying causes of disasters and the level of preparedness and resilience of the communities. Scores from the 89% of informants who responded show that Cameroon occupied the 43rd position globally, was 15th out of the 23 African countries, and was 7th out of the 9 West African countries surveyed. Cameroon average scores for all 14 indicators were lower (poorer) than the West African average, suggesting that a lot more effort is needed in managing disaster risks in the country, i.e., reducing vulnerabilities and increasing preparedness and resilience. At the national level, the Center and Adamaoua Regions recorded the lowest scores of the survey. Above-average scores recorded for some indicators in the Southwest, Northwest and Far North Regions are interpreted to be due to disaster prevention activities like monitoring via early warning systems, resilience building and outreach exercises carried out for disasters like landslides, floods, gas explosions from lakes, and volcanic eruptions, in these areas. Cameroon presently has many laws relating to disaster risk management matters, but an analysis of how the laws are applied shows that the expected results have not been attained, mainly because of over-centralization and a reactive, rather than a proactive approach to disaster risk management. Given her current disaster risk profile, Cameroon has to increase research, better manage, and make disaster risks a central tenet in her development project decision-making, if the goal earmarked in her development vision to become a newly industrialized country by 2035 has to be realized. We propose the creation of an autonomous statutory National Disaster Risk Management Agency which will have a local community-driven bottom-top approach to disaster risk management, and disseminate appropriately tailored disaster risk information to promote a proactive community-based resilience and disaster prevention framework. This will fulfill the post-2015 Sendai framework priority of action No. 2 (strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk) and appropriately prepare Cameroon to face the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Suggested Citation

  • Festus Tongwa Aka & Gaston Wung Buh & Wilson Yatoh Fantong & Issa & Isabella Tem Zouh & Serges Laurent Bopda Djomou & Richard Tanwi Ghogomu & Terry Gibson & Mary-Ann Marmol del & Luc Nkamdjou Sigha & , 2017. "Disaster prevention, disaster preparedness and local community resilience within the context of disaster risk management in Cameroon," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(1), pages 57-88, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:86:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2674-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2674-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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