Constructing a Theoretical Framework for Assessing Community Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness

Abstract

This exploratory study was carried out to gather the essential components for developing a theoretical framework for measuring community awareness of disaster management. This is to provide an effective instrument for educating individuals, communities and organizations about awareness regarding disaster preparedness and prevention in order to conduct a more thorough investigation. This theoretical framework was developed using a combination of literature research, interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The study found that demographic characteristics, knowledge of disaster, disaster experience, attitude and awareness of disaster mitigation, exposure to mitigation and preparation as well as preparedness to respond to disaster are the main elements of the independent variables of this conceptual framework. These elements will affect community’s perceptions on managing disaster response, and thus affects individual, community and organization’s mitigation and preparedness for disaster. A proposed conceptual model for measuring the level of awareness for mitigation and preparedness in disaster management is presented. This framework implies that in preparing for disaster, people of different social context may perceive disaster differently and may even affect disaster mitigation and preparedness contrarily.