Beyond Tokenism: Exploring the Experiences and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities in Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania

Authors

Joseph Bukula
Nicholaus Mwageni

Abstract

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) remain disproportionately vulnerable to disaster impacts due to systemic barriers and exclusionary practices in disaster risk management (DRM). Despite international frameworks such as Sendai Framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), as well as national policy commitments to inclusion, limited attention to disability-specific needs and lived experiences continues to hinder meaningful participation of PwDs in DRM processes. This study examined the inclusion needs, experiences, and barriers that affect the effectiveness of disability-inclusive disaster risk management (DiDRM) interventions in Mwanza City Council (MCC), Tanzania. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group discussions with PwDs and representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns related to participation dynamics, attitudinal barriers, and institutional practices. Findings reveal that negative perceptions of disability, limited awareness among DRM officials, and tokenistic engagement of PwDs and OPDs constrain substantive participation and meaningful inclusion. The study highlights that PwDs are heterogeneous group with distinct needs, and neglecting these differences perpetuates exclusion and widens the policy – practice gap. The study is limited by its qualitative design, focus on a single city, and exclusion of certain disability types, which may affect generalizability. Key implications include the necessity for inclusive communication strategies, access to assistive technologies, equitable involvement of PwDs in decision-making, and enhanced support for OPD-led initiatives. By emphasizing the agency of PwDs, this research contributes to understanding both context-specific and generalizable patterns in urban DiDRM. Overall, the study advocates a shift from perceiving PwDs merely as a vulnerable group toward recognizing them as active contributors and essential actors in disaster risk reduction and management.

Keywords: disaster risk management (DRM); persons with disabilities (PwDs); urban resilience; lived experiences; inclusion needs

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 51-64.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126/145

Suggested citation

Bukula, J., & Mwageni, N. (2025). Beyond Tokenism: Exploring the Experiences and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities in Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

References

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2. Bhavani, R., Vordzorgbe, S., Owor, M., & Bousquet, F. (2008). Status of disaster risk reduction in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The World Bank.

3. Cañete, R. M., Lisay, S. K., & Sayadat Mahmud, M. N. (2025). Project DINGGIN: Empowering communities through risk-based and inclusive cash transfer in disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh and Philippines. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 339–366.

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5. Charmaz, K. (2008). Grounded theory. In J. Smith (Ed.), Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods (2nd ed., pp. 81–110). SAGE Publications.

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8. Gartrell, A., Calgaro, E., Goddard, G., & Saorath, N. (2020). Disaster experiences of women with disabilities: Barriers and opportunities for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction in Cambodia. Global Environmental Change, 64, 102134.

9. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2020). World disasters report 2020. Geneva, Switzerland.

10. Jevtić, M., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., & Raonić, Z. (2025). Factors of vulnerability and resilience of persons with disabilities during disasters: Challenges and strategies for inclusive risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 93–113.

11. King, J., Edwards, N., Watling, H., & Hair, S. (2019). Barriers to disability-inclusive disaster management in the Solomon Islands: Perspectives of people with disability. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 34, 459–466.

12. Milenković, D., Cvetković, V. M., & Renner, R. (2024). A systematic literary review on community resilience indicators: Adaptation and application of the BRIC method for measuring disaster resilience. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 6(2), 79–104.

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Authors

Joseph Bukula
Nicholaus Mwageni

Abstract

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) remain disproportionately vulnerable to disaster impacts due to systemic barriers and exclusionary practices in disaster risk management (DRM). Despite international frameworks such as Sendai Framework and United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), as well as national policy commitments to inclusion, limited attention to disability-specific needs and lived experiences continues to hinder meaningful participation of PwDs in DRM processes. This study examined the inclusion needs, experiences, and barriers that affect the effectiveness of disability-inclusive disaster risk management (DiDRM) interventions in Mwanza City Council (MCC), Tanzania. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews and 4 focus group discussions with PwDs and representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Data were analyzed thematically to identify patterns related to participation dynamics, attitudinal barriers, and institutional practices. Findings reveal that negative perceptions of disability, limited awareness among DRM officials, and tokenistic engagement of PwDs and OPDs constrain substantive participation and meaningful inclusion. The study highlights that PwDs are heterogeneous group with distinct needs, and neglecting these differences perpetuates exclusion and widens the policy – practice gap. The study is limited by its qualitative design, focus on a single city, and exclusion of certain disability types, which may affect generalizability. Key implications include the necessity for inclusive communication strategies, access to assistive technologies, equitable involvement of PwDs in decision-making, and enhanced support for OPD-led initiatives. By emphasizing the agency of PwDs, this research contributes to understanding both context-specific and generalizable patterns in urban DiDRM. Overall, the study advocates a shift from perceiving PwDs merely as a vulnerable group toward recognizing them as active contributors and essential actors in disaster risk reduction and management.

Keywords: disaster risk management (DRM); persons with disabilities (PwDs); urban resilience; lived experiences; inclusion needs

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 51-64.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/126/145

Suggested citation

Bukula, J., & Mwageni, N. (2025). Beyond Tokenism: Exploring the Experiences and Barriers of Persons with Disabilities in Disability-inclusive Disaster Risk Management in Mwanza City Council, Tanzania. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.4

Assessing the Impact: Mortality from Infectious Disease in Trnava (1911 - 1941) through a Medical Geography Lens

Authors

Predrag Premović
Daniela Arsenović
Dragoslav Pavić
Vladimir M. Cvetković
Tin Lukić

Abstract

This study examines mortality from infectious diseases in the Municipality of Trnava between 1911 and 1941. Conducted at the Historical Archive in Kraljevo (Serbia), the research employs historical-demographic, medical-geographic, and demographic-statistical methods. The Municipality of Trnava existed from 1839 to 1945 and encompassed six villages situated between the southeastern slopes of Golija and the Raska River valley. Analyzing the determinants of health, the population in the early decades of the 20th century faced significant challenges, including poverty, unsanitary living conditions, limited access to education, and high illiteracy rates. These adverse conditions were exacerbated by the wartime environment from 1912 to 1918, which further deteriorated living standards. The concentration of a large population in restricted areas accelerated the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The typhus epidemic in early 1915 and the Spanish flu pandemic at the end of World War I led to substantial mortality in the municipality. Local epidemics of scarlet fever, diphtheria, dysentery, and smallpox also affected mortality. This study enhances our understanding of the historical dynamics of infectious disease mortality, highlighting the interplay between environmental, geopolitical, and socio-economic determinants of health in comparable contemporary contexts.

Keywords: infectious diseases; mortality; epidemic; medical geography; Trnava

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 33-50.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145/146

Suggested citation

Premović, P., Arsenović, D., Pavić, D., Cvetković, V. M., & Lukić, T. (2025). Assessing the Impact: Mortality from Infectious Disease in Trnava (1911 - 1941) through a Medical Geography Lens. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

References

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2. Barberis, I., Bragazzi, N.L., Galluzzo, L. & Martini M. (2017). The history of tuberculosis: from the first historical records to the isolation of Koch's bacillus. J Prev Med Hyg, 58(1), E9-E12.

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7. Martini, M., Gazzaniga, V., Bragazzi, N.L. & Barberis, I. (2019). The Spanish Influenza Pandemic: a lesson from history 100 years after 1918. J Prev Med Hyg, 29;60(1), E64-E67. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1205

8. Nickol, M.E. & Kindrachuk, J. (2019). A year of terror and a century of reflection: perspectives on the great influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. BMC Infect Dis, 19(1), 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-3750-

9. Radivojević, B. & Penev, G. (2014). Demographic losses of Serbia in the First World War and their long-term consequences. Economic Annals, 59(203), 29-54. https://doi.org/10.2298/EKA1403029R

10. Shanks, G.D. (2015). Insights from unusual aspects of the 1918 influenza pandemic. Travel Med Infect Dis, 13(3), 217-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2015.05.001

11. Tancic, D., Elezovic, D. & Gordic, M. (2018). The Specificities of the Relationship of the Comparative and the Historical Methods in the Research of Political History. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 9 (2), 55-60. doi: https://doi.org/10.2478/mjss-2018-0025

12. Todorović, J., Dugalić, S., Macura, M., Gutić, B., Milinčić, M., Božić, D., Stojiljković Micić, J., Pantić, J., Perović, M., Parapid, B. & Gojnić, M. (2023). Historical aspects of diabetes, morbidity and mortality. Serbbian Archives of Medicine, 151(1-2), 112-115. https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH221021013T

13. Vuletić, A. (2022). Mortalitet muškaraca i žena u Srbiji1862-1910. godine. Historijski časopis, 71, 411-431. https://www.iib.ac.rs/istorijskicasopis/IC2271411V.html

14. Wong, S,S. & Yuen, K.Y. (2012). Streptococcus pyogenes and re-emergence of scarlet fever as a public health problem. Emerg Microbes Infect, 2012, 1(7):e2. https://doi.org/10.1038/emi.2012.9

15. Антић, Ч. (2021). Епидемије у Србији и Црној Гори током Првог светског рата. In: Рајић, С. (ed.). Сузбијање епидемија у нововековној Србији: институционални оквири и практични домети (pp. 85 - 98). Београд: Универзитет у Београду Филозофски факултет.

16. Виријевић, В. (2000). Студенички срез 1918-1941 друштвено-економске и политичке прилике. Краљево: Историјски архив Краљево, Центар за културу.

17. Виријевић, В. (2013). Рашка 1912-1914 - портрет варошице. Рашка: Центар за образовање, културу и информисање „Градац".

18. Кривошејев, А. В. (2022). Епидемије у Србији током ратова 1912 - 1918. Прилог квантификација жртава. Баштина, 32 (58), 281 - 303. doi: https://doi.org/10.5937/bastina32-36007

19. Кривошејев, В. (2023). Епидемије тифуса и шпанске грознице и њихове последице по становништво Србије. Војноисторијски гласник, 2, 81 - 104. https://doi.org/10.5937/vig2302081K

20. Кривошејев, В. (2023). Епидемије у српском народу и војсци током балканских ратова 1912 - 1913. године. In: Жарић, Д. (ed.). Тематски зборник са научног скупа 110 година од мобилизације гвозденог пука 1912 - Српска војска у историји и традицији (pp. 32 - 53). Прокупље: Народни музеј Топлице.

21. Лопичић Јанчић, Ј. & Васић, Љ. (2019). Стране санитетске мисије у Првом светском рату. Мегатренд ревија 16(3), 15 - 29. https://doi.org/10.5937/MegRev1903015L

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23. Медојевић, Ј. & Премовић, П. (2025). Историјско - демографске детерминанте општине Трнава од 1839. до 1945. године. Баштина 35(65), 147 - 161. doi: https://doi.org/10.5937/bastina35-53604

24. Радивојевић, М. (2021). Руска сведочанства о епидемијама тифуса у Србији 1914/15. године. In: Рајић, С. (ed.). Сузбијање епидемија у нововековној Србији: институционални оквири и практични домети (pp. 99 - 110). Београд: Универзитет у Београду Филозофски факултет.

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Authors

Predrag Premović
Daniela Arsenović
Dragoslav Pavić
Vladimir M. Cvetković
Tin Lukić

Abstract

This study examines mortality from infectious diseases in the Municipality of Trnava between 1911 and 1941. Conducted at the Historical Archive in Kraljevo (Serbia), the research employs historical-demographic, medical-geographic, and demographic-statistical methods. The Municipality of Trnava existed from 1839 to 1945 and encompassed six villages situated between the southeastern slopes of Golija and the Raska River valley. Analyzing the determinants of health, the population in the early decades of the 20th century faced significant challenges, including poverty, unsanitary living conditions, limited access to education, and high illiteracy rates. These adverse conditions were exacerbated by the wartime environment from 1912 to 1918, which further deteriorated living standards. The concentration of a large population in restricted areas accelerated the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The typhus epidemic in early 1915 and the Spanish flu pandemic at the end of World War I led to substantial mortality in the municipality. Local epidemics of scarlet fever, diphtheria, dysentery, and smallpox also affected mortality. This study enhances our understanding of the historical dynamics of infectious disease mortality, highlighting the interplay between environmental, geopolitical, and socio-economic determinants of health in comparable contemporary contexts.

Keywords: infectious diseases; mortality; epidemic; medical geography; Trnava

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 33-50.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/145/146

Suggested citation

Premović, P., Arsenović, D., Pavić, D., Cvetković, V. M., & Lukić, T. (2025). Assessing the Impact: Mortality from Infectious Disease in Trnava (1911 - 1941) through a Medical Geography Lens. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 33-50. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.3

Assessing Good Governance Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Among Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review

Authors

Fritzie Ivy J. Dalangin

Abstract

Following PRISMA approach, this systematic literature review looked at 19 peer-reviewed publications on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and good governance practices in schools that were published between 2011 and 2025. The review evaluated the relationship between DRRM implementation outcomes, such as preparedness, response, and recovery, and governance characteristics, including transparency, accountability, participation, and efficiency. Findings show that schools with higher budget allocation and larger institutional scale perform better in response during a disaster. School location significantly determines the level of disaster preparedness, attributed to resources, infrastructure, and program implementation. The review emphasized the need for mixed-method analyses in future studies to capture the combined effects of governance practices and institutional variables. It concludes that strengthening leadership capacity, financial transparency, and participatory governance structures is crucial for building school level resilience.

Keywords: disaster management; disaster; education; risk management; risk reduction; strategy

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 21-32.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133/147

Suggested citation

Dalangin, F. I. J. (2025). Assessing Good Governance Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Among Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

References

1. Abenoja, S., Baog, I. W., Briz, A. C., Bustamante, H. M., Garcia, R., Mongado, R., & Ramos, A. J. B. (2023). The implementation level of disaster risk reduction management and disaster preparedness in selected schools in Davao de Oro. International Journal of Research Publications, 128(1), 581–593.

2. Abila, J. G., & Callo, E. C. (n.d.). Good governance in education: A consensus of stakeholders’ perspectives.

3. Acierto, Cherlita & Robas, Jessie & Monte, Shanedree. (2023). Extent of Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Selected Elementary Schools: Evidence from the Philippines. International Review of Social Sciences Research. 3. 1-19. 10.53378/352981.

4. Almazan, M. T. T. (2023). Disbursement and utilization of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) funds in schools. Semantic Scholar.

5. Alpuerto, M. T., & Briones, E. O. (2025). Disaster management and psychological preparedness in educational institutions. Journal of Organizational Resilience.

6. Beronibla, M. R. M. B. (2024). Budget allocation and utilization in local schools and its relationship to governance. International Journal of Education Studies.

7. Comighud, S. M. (2020). Implementation of the public schools’ disaster risk reduction and management program and level of capabilities to respond. International Journal of Science and Research, 9(4), 752–763.

8. Dada, K. S. J., Hamza, J. M., & Mohammed, H. A. (2025). Disaster risk management in libraries and information centers: Global strategies, challenges, policy and recommendations. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 203–214.

9. Dela Cruz, R. D., & Ormilla, R. C. G. (2022). Disaster risk reduction management implementation in the public elementary schools of the Department of Education, Philippines. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 4(2), 1–15.

10. Department of Education. (2015). DepEd Order No. 37, s. 2015: The Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework. https://www.deped.gov.ph

11. Department of Education. (2024). Policy guidelines on the implementation of DRRM in schools. https://www.deped.gov.ph

12. Domingo, S. N., & Manejar, A. J. A. (2021). Policy, institutional, and expenditure review of bottom-up approach disaster risk reduction and management (No. 2021-03). PIDS Discussion Paper Series.

13. Goswami, T., & Ahmad, A. (2025). Integrating disability into disaster management education in India: A critical review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 163–176.

14. Lassa, Jonatan. (2011). Institutional Vulnerability and Governance of Disaster Risk Reduction: Macro, Meso and Micro Scale Assessment. PhD Diss. University of Bonn. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24672.99845.

15. Ojha, J. C., Bhattarai, P. C., & Devkota, B. (2025). Teachers' perception towards responses of COVID-19 pandemic management in Gandaki Province of Nepal: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 485–494.

16. Pandapatan, A. M. (2025). Correlates Schools Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Implementation and School Performance in Safety and Readiness: Basis for Enhanced Action Plan. Indonesian Journal of Multidiciplinary Research. 5. 223-234. 10.17509/ijomr.v5i1.82752.

17. Pandapatan, A. M. (2024). Assessing select public schools disaster and risk reduction management during pandemic restriction in the Philippines. Dalat University Journal of Science, 17(1), 17–24.

18. Pardillo, R. S. (2024). A case study of disaster risk reduction governance in Philippine rural higher education: Toward contextualized policy support. Learning Gate, 4(1). https://learning-gate.com/index.php/2576-8484/article/view/8249

19. Razia, B. (2025). Guardians of safety: Assessing awareness and preparedness of teachers along with school initiatives for disaster risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 325–338.

20. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. (n.d.). What is good governance? https://www.unescap.org

21. Valenzuela, E. S., & Buenvinida, L. P. (2021). Managing school operations and resources in the context of DRRM. Journal of Educational Management.

22. Wadasen, R. F. P. (2024). Financial management challenges and best practices of school heads of public high schools. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 6(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i01.1342

Authors

Fritzie Ivy J. Dalangin

Abstract

Following PRISMA approach, this systematic literature review looked at 19 peer-reviewed publications on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and good governance practices in schools that were published between 2011 and 2025. The review evaluated the relationship between DRRM implementation outcomes, such as preparedness, response, and recovery, and governance characteristics, including transparency, accountability, participation, and efficiency. Findings show that schools with higher budget allocation and larger institutional scale perform better in response during a disaster. School location significantly determines the level of disaster preparedness, attributed to resources, infrastructure, and program implementation. The review emphasized the need for mixed-method analyses in future studies to capture the combined effects of governance practices and institutional variables. It concludes that strengthening leadership capacity, financial transparency, and participatory governance structures is crucial for building school level resilience.

Keywords: disaster management; disaster; education; risk management; risk reduction; strategy

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 21-32.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/133/147

Suggested citation

Dalangin, F. I. J. (2025). Assessing Good Governance Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Among Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 21-32. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.2

Advanced Flood Risk Mapping in Bouarfa Watershed Using Integrated Machine Learning, GIS, and MCDM

Authors

Alioua Zahar Elkheir
Mezrhab Abdelhamid
Laaboudi Mohammed
Achebour Ali
Sahil Mohammed
Elyagoubi Said
Melhaoui Mohammed

Abstract

In Morocco, floods occur frequently, often causing significant damage to infrastructure and the environment due to a lack of adequate protective measures. The unpredictability of these events is attributable to climate change and the irregular nature of weather conditions. However, determining flood susceptibility can facilitate the mitigation and prevention of risk. This study aims at mapping flood-susceptible areas in the Bouarfa watershed using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Seven key conditioning parameters were considered: altitude, slope, geology, drainage density, flow accumulation, land use/land cover (LULC), and soil. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign weights to these factors. The results obtained demonstrate that 39.53% (546.24 km2) of the territory is exposed to a very low to moderate flood risk and 60.47% (835.59 km2) to a high to very high flood risk. The model's accuracy was validated using historical flood locations and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) method, which yielded a value of 84.5%, indicating very good performance. This map serves as a critical tool for decision-makers for risk mitigation and land-use planning in this arid region.

Keywords: hierarchy analytical process (AHP); flood susceptibility; multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); vulnerability; Bouarfa watershed

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 1-20.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138

Download PDF:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138/148

Suggested citation

Elkheir, A. Z., Abdelhamid, M., Mohammed, L., Ali, A., Mohammed, S., Said, E., & Mohammed, M. (2025). Advanced Flood Risk Mapping in Bouarfa Watershed Using Integrated Machine Learning, GIS, and MCDM. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

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Authors

Alioua Zahar Elkheir
Mezrhab Abdelhamid
Laaboudi Mohammed
Achebour Ali
Sahil Mohammed
Elyagoubi Said
Melhaoui Mohammed

Abstract

In Morocco, floods occur frequently, often causing significant damage to infrastructure and the environment due to a lack of adequate protective measures. The unpredictability of these events is attributable to climate change and the irregular nature of weather conditions. However, determining flood susceptibility can facilitate the mitigation and prevention of risk. This study aims at mapping flood-susceptible areas in the Bouarfa watershed using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Seven key conditioning parameters were considered: altitude, slope, geology, drainage density, flow accumulation, land use/land cover (LULC), and soil. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign weights to these factors. The results obtained demonstrate that 39.53% (546.24 km2) of the territory is exposed to a very low to moderate flood risk and 60.47% (835.59 km2) to a high to very high flood risk. The model's accuracy was validated using historical flood locations and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) method, which yielded a value of 84.5%, indicating very good performance. This map serves as a critical tool for decision-makers for risk mitigation and land-use planning in this arid region.

Keywords: hierarchy analytical process (AHP); flood susceptibility; multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); vulnerability; Bouarfa watershed

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 7, No. 2 (2025), pp. 1-20.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

Read the full open-access article:
https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/138/148

Suggested citation

Elkheir, A. Z., Abdelhamid, M., Mohammed, L., Ali, A., Mohammed, S., Said, E., & Mohammed, M. (2025). Advanced Flood Risk Mapping in Bouarfa Watershed Using Integrated Machine Learning, GIS, and MCDM. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.1

Institutionalizing Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile States: Local Governance Capacity, Conflict Insecurity, and Community Resilience in Lower Juba, Somalia

Authors

Akaninyene Unaam

Abstract

Fragile and conflict-affected states face compounded disaster risks where weak governance structures intersect with climate stressors and armed violence. This study examines how local governance capacity influences community resilience through the institutionalization of disaster risk reduction, and under what conditions conflict insecurity moderates this relationship, in Lower Juba, Somalia. Drawing on adaptive governance theory, institutional theory, and community resilience frameworks, the study tests a moderated mediation model using survey data from 400 households across four drought- and conflict-affected communities. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the four-factor structure of the constructs, with a comparative fit index of 0.96 and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.05. Bootstrapped mediation analysis with 5,000 samples revealed that disaster risk reduction institutionalization partially mediates the relationship between governance capacity and community resilience, with an indirect effect of β = 0.28 and a 95% confidence interval of [0.19, 0.39], accounting for 53.8% of the total effect. Moderation analysis showed that conflict insecurity significantly weakens the positive association between governance capacity and resilience, with a change in R-squared of 0.04 and p = 0.003. Findings demonstrate that governance capacity enhances resilience primarily when disaster risk reduction mechanisms are institutionalized, yet persistent insurgent insecurity undermines institutional effectiveness. The study contributes rare empirical evidence from a highly under-researched fragile setting. It offers context-specific policy guidance on integrating conflict-sensitive disaster risk reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: disaster risk reduction; governance capacity; state fragility; armed conflict; community resilience; Somalia; adaptive governance

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 367-384.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/c06z9913

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/210

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/210/227

Suggested citation

Unaam, A. (2026). Institutionalizing Disaster Risk Reduction in Fragile States: Local Governance Capacity, Conflict Insecurity, and Community Resilience in Lower Juba, Somalia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 367-384. https://doi.org/10.66050/c06z9913

Beyond Platform Type: Effects of Vegetation Density, Sensor Modality, and Search Strategy on Aerial Search and Rescue Performance

Authors

Andreas A. Nilsen
Tale R. Størdal
Vegard Johansen
Jørgen L.H. Ronge
Eyvind Grytting

Abstract

Timely detection of missing persons is critical for successful Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, especially under challenging environmental conditions. Modern SAR efforts utilize both manned helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), often equipped with electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors, while helicopters may also employ visual observers. Despite their widespread use, limited empirical data exists on how these platforms, sensor types, and search techniques perform across varying terrain and vegetation densities. To our knowledge, no prior field study has jointly examined how platform type, sensor modality, search strategy, and vegetation density affect detection performance in realistic SAR conditions. This study presents results from the SAVIOUR 2024 quasi-experimental field experiment, conducted during a large-scale SAR exercise in Rogaland, Norway. Twelve professional SAR aircrews (six helicopters, six UAS teams) conducted 48 search sorties across sectors with low, medium, and high vegetation density, targeting 251 human subjects. Key metrics were Probability of Detection (POD) and Time to Detection. Both platforms achieved high detection rates (mean POD >83%), with 54% of sorties reaching 100% POD. Vegetation density was the strongest predictor of POD, with reduced performance in high-density forest (helicopters: 71.4%, UAS: 73.3%). Platform type was not a significant predictor of POD when controlling for vegetation density; in contrast, vegetation density and sensor modality seemed to have stronger effects on detection performance. Helicopters detected targets faster, likely due to initial sweep strategies. UAS teams favored systematic detailed searches, resulting in longer detection intervals. Sensor-based searches outperformed visual-only methods, though visual-only data were limited. As an operational implication, we suggest that coordinated, vertically separated operations - helicopters at high altitude and UAS at low altitude - may enhance efficiency through concurrent coverage. However, this coordination model was not directly tested as an intervention and should be validated in future studies. These findings offer guidance for integrated SAR practices and highlight future research needs, including AI-assisted detection and performance evaluation under diverse thermal and geographical conditions.

Keywords: Search and Rescue (SAR); Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); helicopter; probability of detection (POD); comparative analysis; airspace management; synergistic aerial operations

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 511-538.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/sja2vn07

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/234

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/234/231

Suggested citation

Nilsen, A. A., Størdal, T. R., Johansen, V., Ronge, J. L., & Grytting, E. (2026). Beyond Platform Type: Effects of Vegetation Density, Sensor Modality, and Search Strategy on Aerial Search and Rescue Performance. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 511-538. https://doi.org/10.66050/sja2vn07

Administrative Risks and Logistics Supply Challenges in Gaza Shelter Centers During the 2023–2026 Conflict

Authors

Mohammed Mohammed A. El-Mougher
Ahmad A. Abu Zaydah

Abstract

This study analyzed the administrative risks and challenges facing logistics operations and coordination at shelter centers in the Gaza Strip. The study sample consisted of 18 participants from various fields related to logistics supply. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the responses were analyzed based on frequency distributions and response consistency. The findings revealed significant logistical risks, primarily due to inaccurate data, the lack of pre-prepared plans, and a shortage of trained staff. The results also showed a disparity in coordination roles, with UN agencies leading at 60%, the government exceeding 30%, and NGOs accounting for less than 10%, alongside weak institutional synergy between local and international entities. The study recommends developing risk-based administrative plans, establishing centralized joint operations rooms, and enhancing human and technical capacities. Furthermore, It emphasizes strengthening cooperation among governmental and international entities through comprehensive strategies tailored to the Gaza Strip’s unique context as a conflict zone.

Keywords: risks; administrative challenges; logistics; armed conflicts; shelter centers

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 487-510.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/j6kw0q11

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/212

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/212/230

Suggested citation

El-Mougher, M. M. A., & Zaydah, A. A. A. (2026). Administrative Risks and Logistics Supply Challenges in Gaza Shelter Centers During the 2023–2026 Conflict. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 487-510. https://doi.org/10.66050/j6kw0q11

Assessing Local Disaster Governance in Coastal Bangladesh: Comparing Institutional and Community Perspectives on Disaster Management Committees

Authors

Shah Taimur Rahaman Tamim
Md. Faisal
Milton Kumar Saha
Joy Boiddho
Vladimir M. Cvetković

Abstract

Despite substantial investments in decentralized disaster governance, Bangladesh’s coastal regions remain highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards. Disaster Management Committees (DMCs) were established to enhance local preparedness, response, and recovery through participatory governance. However, empirical evidence on their effectiveness at the community level remains limited. This study examines the institutional capacity, operational effectiveness, and governance legitimacy of DMCs in two disaster-prone coastal upazilas: Dumki and Kalapara of Patuakhali District. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a community survey (N = 100) with key informant interviews (N = 30). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and four composite indices were constructed: Community Awareness Index (CAI), Community Satisfaction Index (CSI), Institutional Capacity Index (ICI), and Operational Effectiveness Index (OEI). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to contextualize institutional practices and explain the gap between institutional claims and community experience. The findings reveal a pronounced disconnect between institutional self-assessment and community-level perceptions. Community awareness of DMCs was very low (CAI = 0.07), and community satisfaction with DMC performance was also very low (CSI = 0.04), indicating limited public engagement and weak service visibility. In contrast, DMC members reported very high institutional capacity (ICI = 0.95) and ceiling-level operational effectiveness (OEI = 1.00), suggesting a substantial mismatch between institutional perceptions and community realities. Union-wise differences in awareness and satisfaction were limited and not statistically significant. Firth penalized logistic regression likewise did not identify any statistically significant predictor of community satisfaction, indicating that dissatisfaction was broad-based rather than confined to specific respondent groups or locations. Overall, the results suggest that decentralization alone is insufficient to ensure participatory and effective disaster governance without accountability, transparency, and sustained community engagement. The study highlights the importance of community-validated performance measures and stronger accountability mechanisms for improving local disaster risk governance in climate-vulnerable settings.

Keywords: local disaster governance; disaster management committees; coastal Bangladesh; institutional self-assessment; community perception; community satisfaction; accountability

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 465-486.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/3cawjv12

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/230

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/230/223

Suggested citation

Tamim, S. T. R., Faisal, M., Saha, M. K., Boiddho, J., & Cvetković, V. M. (2026). Assessing Local Disaster Governance in Coastal Bangladesh: Comparing Institutional and Community Perspectives on Disaster Management Committees. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 465-486. https://doi.org/10.66050/3cawjv12

Insurance as a Model for Protecting the Economic System from Natural Disasters

Authors

Luka Baturan
Goran Milošević
Cvjetana Cvjetković Ivetić

Abstract

Natural disasters increasingly generate serious economic consequences, including direct property losses, disruption of production and trade flows, increased public expenditure, and pressure on state budgets. In this context, insurance represents an important instrument of disaster risk financing and economic system protection. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of insurance as a model for protecting the economic system from the consequences of natural disasters, with particular reference to the Republic of Serbia. The paper applies normative legal analysis, theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, and secondary data analysis. Special attention is given to the relationship between voluntary and compulsory insurance, public-private partnership models, catastrophe insurance pools, and the role of the state in disaster risk financing. The findings indicate that an effective insurance system can reduce the financial burden on the state, accelerate post-disaster recovery, and strengthen the resilience of households, businesses, and the wider economic system. However, in Serbia, the development of such a model requires stronger institutional support, improved insurance culture, subsidized premiums for vulnerable groups, reliable hazard data, and a clearer division of responsibilities between the state, insurers, and insured entities. The paper concludes that a combined public-private model of disaster insurance would be the most appropriate direction for strengthening economic resilience to natural disasters in Serbia.

Keywords: insurance; protection; prevention; risk; disaster; public interest

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 445-464.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/z82mwm80

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/236

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/236/222

Suggested citation

Baturan, L., Milošević, G., & Cvjetković Ivetić, C. (2026). Insurance as a Model for Protecting the Economic System from Natural Disasters. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 445-464. https://doi.org/10.66050/z82mwm80

Assessing Disaster Risk and Adaptation Strategies in Coastal Agriculture: Evidence from Chandradip Union of Bauphal Upazila, Bangladesh

Authors

Md. Faisal
Imran Hawladar
Vladimir Cvetković

Abstract

The coastal zone of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, which significantly affect agricultural production and livelihoods. Agriculture is the primary livelihood for most coastal communities. Patuakhali is a coastal district of Bangladesh, and Bauphal Upazila is one of its most agriculturally dependent areas. Therefore, this study was conducted in Chandradip Union of Bauphal Upazila to assess disaster risks in the agricultural sector. The main objective of the study was to identify and assess natural disaster risks in agriculture through hazard, vulnerability, and capacity assessments, and to explore suitable adaptation strategies for enhancing disaster resilience. Both primary and secondary data were used in this research. A total of 100 households were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and five Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted. Field observations and relevant secondary data sources were also utilized. The findings reveal that riverbank erosion (1.043), storm surge (0.942), and cyclone (0.934) are the most significant disaster risks affecting the agricultural sector due to their high hazard intensity, high vulnerability, and low coping capacity. The study further identifies that alternative livelihood options (27%), loans and subsidies (25%), and short-duration rice cultivation (24%) are the most commonly recommended adaptation strategies by the farming community. These are followed by embankment construction (22%) and farm mechanization (2%). The study highlights the need for integrated risk management and strengthened adaptive capacity to enhance agricultural resilience in coastal Bangladesh. This study provided empirical evidence, based primarily on data, on how vulnerability is reduced through an adaptation strategy. The results of this study will help people in coastal communities reduce their vulnerability. This study can assist policymakers and donor agencies in developing policies and funding different development projects in Bangladesh's rural coastal community.

Keywords: disaster risk management; coastal agriculture; agricultural resilience; hazard assessment; vulnerability assessment; adaptation strategies; riverbank erosion; storm surge; cyclone; Bangladesh

Publication details

International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM), Vol. 8, No. 1 (2026), pp. 423-444.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.66050/6pd80w30

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/226

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https://internationaljournalofdisasterriskmanagement.com/index.php/Vol1/article/view/226/229

Suggested citation

Md. Faisal, Imran Hawladar, & Cvetković, V. (2026). Assessing Disaster Risk and Adaptation Strategies in Coastal Agriculture: Evidence from Chandradip Union of Bauphal Upazila, Bangladesh. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 8(1), 423-444. https://doi.org/10.66050/6pd80w30