Preparedness of the community in facing disasters like earthquakes (Case: Cisarua, Indonesia)

Abstract

The potential for disaster in an area is based on the geographical characteristics of a place and the living factors of the surrounding community. Community preparedness must be implemented to minimise the impact of an earthquake. This study aimed to determine the level of community preparedness in facing earthquakes in Cisarua District, Indonesia, based on the results of earthquake hazard mapping. The research used the quantitative Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for earthquake hazard mapping and disaster preparedness using questionnaires. The AHP parameters include earthquake acceleration, distance from the Lembang fault, rock type, soil type, land use, slope and population density. The sample for this study comprised 80 respondents from six villages with a relatively high level of vulnerability, namely the villages of Jambupida, Padaasih, Pasirhalang, Pasirlangu, Kertawangi and Tugumukti. Data collection was carried out through interviews and site surveys based on a questionnaire consisting of variables like knowledge and attitudes, policies, emergency response plans, disaster warning systems and resource mobilisation with a total of 80 respondents. The study results concluded that community preparedness was included in the unprepared category with a total score of 211. Aspects of kinship and kinship relations between residents greatly influenced community preparedness, and knowledge and attitudes were considered sufficient with a weight of 4.4. Increased public awareness of the potential for earthquake disasters must routinely be carried out through disaster emergency response outreach and training activities in addition to improving residents’ emergency response facilities.

Contribution: The study findings highlight the village community’s earthquake disaster preparedness with the support of integrated spatial mapping of disaster vulnerability. The lack of awareness of the village community in earthquake disaster mitigation increases the level of disaster risk in their area.