Resident awareness of disaster prevention and issues of voluntary disaster prevention activities in sediment-related disaster hazard areas

Iwao MIYOSHI

Abstract

Voluntary disaster prevention activities are important to prevent sediment-related disasters. However, there are not many areas where effective voluntary disaster prevention activities are being conducted. This study attempted to clarify residents’ consciousness about voluntary disaster prevention activities and to understand the obstacles to participation in such activities in order to promote effective voluntary disaster prevention activities. A case study was conducted in the Moriyama District of O ¯tsu City. A topographic analysis of the study site, a questionnaire survey among the residents, and interviews with officials of the voluntary disaster prevention association were carried out. The results of the questionnaire survey were analyzed using a chi-square test and residual analysis and revealed that residents’ disaster prevention awareness is generally low. Their consciousness about disaster prevention varies according to the level of danger in the places where they live. Older residents had knowledge from past disasters, but their homes are often in relatively safe locations, and they were reluctant to be evacuated. Inhabitants who have emigrated in recent years often live along high-risk rivers and are more active in voluntary disaster prevention activities to some extent, but their knowledge about the possibility of disasters in the area is insufficient. Further elucidation and promotion of awareness is required. Knowledge about disaster risks and consciousness of disaster prevention varies depending on the place of residence and residence history. It is therefore necessary to inform residents about prevention activities after understanding the differences in their attitude.

Key words

voluntary disaster prevention activity,resident consciousness,sediment-related disaster