Barriers to Natural Disaster Risks Management Within Coastal Communities: The Case of Limbe and Ideneau in Cameroon

Abstract

Globally, many coastal zones characterized by high population concentration lie across rigid zones defined by natural disasters such as flood, heat waves, landslide and subsidence which are often difficult to manage. The Limbe and Ideneau Coastal communities of Cameroon overtime have been shrouded by such natural disasters. The aim of the study was to identify the barriers to natural disaster management along the Limbe and Ideneau coastal communities of Cameroon. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling design whereas, areas prone to different hazards were mapped, and through a simple random sampling method, 300 persons were selected from each stratum to provide information on disaster management. Questionnaires, interview guides, interrogations and field investigations were the main primary data sources of the study whereas, secondary data sources such as published related articles, magazines and public libraries provided credential information. Quantitative and qualitative data collected during field survey were analyzed through the inferential and descriptive statistical techniques. The outcomes of the study were presented on graphs, figures, charts, tables and histograms. Findings revealed that natural disasters have caused enormous harms to the population occupying the aforementioned communities such as the disruption of communication infrastructures and housing facilities, touristic activities, farmlands and loss of human lives. Further results showed that many adaptation measures cannot contain the magnitudes and the intensities of these disasters. Limited technology, government negligence, poor planning and insufficient public knowledge on natural disasters are hindrance to the effective management of these natural disasters. The work concludes that these coastal communities remain “bonanza” and recommends that a participatory, holistic and an objective disaster management planning be implemented in order to offset the adverse effects of these disasters while deriving the potentials of the coast.