Comparison of risk perception levels and its correlates among communities affected by natural disasters

The study of Jones and associates (Jones et al., 2013) focused on the comparison of risk perception levels and its correlates among communities affected by natural disasters such as floods and volcanic eruptions. The authors interviewed people from several sites in Mexico and Ecuador with the aim to explore the influence of place of residence characteristics on perceptions of natural hazards while taking into account other relevant variables such as socio-demographics, well-being, network content and structure. The results showed that in the overall estimates of perceived risk there is little variation between the two countries and seven sites that were investigated. However, there were some differences in the perception of past threat, current worry, and expectation of a similar future event, both between countries and between different types of sites within these countries (Jones et al., 2013). In Ecuadorian sites, there were more people who believed that their life was in danger because of a disaster event as well as those who expected that disaster event would happen again, while Mexican sites had a higher rate of people currently concerned about disaster event (Jones et al., 2013). Also, rates for urban, high-impact, and resettled sites (compared to rural, low impact, and non-resettled sites, respectively) were higher in the case of past and present perceived risk, while there was no difference in expectations for the future.

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Cultural Factors: Local knowledge, Individual/collective memory

Hazards: Natural hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Use local knowledge, collective memory and shared cultural values to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery
• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective