‘Community’ perceptions of a disaster risk reduction intervention at Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) Volcano, El Salvador

Abstract

Recent years have seen an expanding array of studies by volcanologists to assess volcanic risk and hazard perceptions more accurately in at-risk communities. These studies reveal the importance of better understanding perception of risk, as it can directly or indirectly affect individual behaviour before and during volcanic crises. Perception studies to date, however, are predominantly quantitative in nature. The intricacies of community dynamics as well as the population's perceptions of development institutions themselves are rarely problematized. This paper presents results from a 5-month-long study conducted in Los Planes de La Laguna, a community impacted by the 2005 eruption of Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano and Tropical Storm Stan in western El Salvador. This research investigated locals’ perceptions of a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to reducing vulnerability to volcanic hazards. This study uses the qualitative methods of participant observation and in-depth interviews to investigate the effectiveness of NGO efforts to improve upon community hazard perceptions and overall preparedness. Somewhat contrary to the desired project outcomes, this research suggests that raised awareness and preparedness had been short-term, and that few NGO-initiated efforts continued even within a few months of their departure. Moreover, individuals allude to the frustrating, nebulous aspects of hazard awareness projects and the organizations administering them. This work explores the need to further investigate how project beneficiaries’ perceptions of disaster risk reducing institutions affect project outcome and overall risk perception. Broader implications include the need to qualitatively evaluate NGO strategies from the beneficiaries’ perspective.