Perceived impact of a disaster linked to degree of perceived risk

In examining the participants' disaster risk perception, the qualitative data highlighted that the perceived impact of the disaster was linked to risk perception whereby greater impact was associated with greater perceived risk; alternatively events which were seen as having little impact were not seen as posing a risk. Here, participants referred to prior experience as shaping how they perceived risk in disaster situations. Frequency was also identified in influencing how risk was perceived, as if disasters were perceived as infrequent then awareness of risk may decrease. These associations, however, were not confirmed by the quantitative data, where no significant correlation could be found between worry and concern about disasters in their area at the moment and the risk that a natural or man-made disaster would occur in the next three years, nor when comparing these results with the results of the association exercise.

Cultural Factors: Local knowledge, Worldviews

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective