Community Disaster Risk Assessment in Arusha City, Tanzania

Abstract

Urban population growth has demonstrated synergetic relationship with the growthof informal settlements and disasters, especially in developing countries. The increasein the density of people in informal settlements in Tanzania has accelerated theirvulnerability to disaster risks. This study employs Community Participatory DisasterRisk and Vulnerability Assessment (PDRVA) to analyse vulnerability to disasters ininformal settlements in Arusha city, Tanzania. The results show that a plethora offactors €”human, physical, social, and economic €”interact in a complex non-linear wayto shape vulnerability to disasters in informal settlements in the city. Indigenous andwestern knowledge in the settlements used to cope with environmental hazards holda great potential in shifting community responses to long-term considerations. Thestudy recommends that measures and strategies aimed at reducing disaster risksshould address the whole set of issues leading to poverty and disparities within thecommunity.Keywords: risk, vulnerability, disaster, informal settlements, Arusha, Tanzania.