Vulnerability To Flood Risks And Determinants Of Its Risk Copying Strategy: The Case Of Ambo District Oromia Regional National State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Flood hazards have become a serious challenge and have resulted in social and economic crises in developing countries. This research is aimed at analyzing vulnerability to flood risks and determinants of its risk copying strategy: the case of Ambo District, Oromia regional national state, Ethiopia. The research was carried out using a cross-sectional study design with mixed approaches (quantitative and qualitative) and a binary logistic regression model. Data were collected using a household survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and household surveys in high, medium, and low flood risk areas of the selected kebeles. A household survey was conducted in 121 sample households using questionnaires. For qualitative data collection and analysis, 10 individual samples were selected based on the informants’ knowledge and direct relevance to the issue under investigation. A binary logit regression model was used to identify determinants of flood risk perception at the household level. The findings of the study revealed that the high- and medium-flood-risk areas lacked basic infrastructure and had a greater level of perception as compared with the low-flood-risk areas. The result of the assessment also disclosed that heavy rain, the absence of protective or retaining construction and its maintenance, and poor urban drainage structure were the main perceived causes, while housing damage and destruction of household equipment, loss of infrastructure, and health problems were effects of flooding in the study area. The preparedness and response measures to protect and minimize the flooding hazard found were householders’ evacuation from their houses, filling sand in bags and placing around the edges of the premise, as well as making a retaining wall-like structure with a hollow block despite the fact that it was not strong. In flood protection measures and the Early Warning System, the support given from government and non-governmental organizations was inadequate. Thus, the government, community-based organizations, and residents should adopt sustainable strategies for short- and long-term adaptation and mitigation measures.