FLOOD DISASTER RISK RESPONSE OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: CASE STUDY OF MAKURDI TOWN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Flood is one of the natural disasters that is affecting urban households world over however, countries’ response to floods disaster risk vary in methods and magnitudes both at national or household levels. This study assesses flood disaster risk response of urban households in Makurdi town-Nigeria, with the aim of ascertaining their level of preparedness and responses before, during and after flood disaster events. Data was collected from 295 household heads of flood prone areas of the town using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study reveals that 83% of the respondents were aware of the annual flood occurrence in their area and, 56% had received prior information of the 2012 flood occurrence through different means however, only 35% of the respondents took the early warning information very seriously. The level of preparedness taken by the respondents before the flood shows that 25% constructed embankments/drainage around their houses, 23% relocated to safer places, 12% raised the foundation of their houses among others. The study also reveals that during the actual flood disaster events, 56% of the respondents struggled to evacuate household items only, 19% focused on evacuating their family members while 2% waited for the government to rescue them. The study shows that 39% of the flood victims took refuge at the houses of their family relations. Based on the findings, the study recommends for more sensitization of the public on flood disaster risk and greater involvement by NGOs and government in disaster management in the study area.