Understanding Flood Problems Among Decision-Makers and General Public Should Be Improved: Case Study From Ukraine (PAP015042)

Código

PAP015042

Autores

Viacheslav Manukalo, Ganna Gerasymenko

Tema

Flood resilient societies through community preparedness

Resumo

River floods are the most severe damages to the sectors of economy and the human communities in Ukraine. But, adaptability and vulnerability of the Ukrainian society to floods are still poorly understood. In order to research this issue, the paper is devoted to a study of: a) public opinion on preparedness of the Ukrainian society to extreme river floods; b) awareness among decision-makers and general public about a role of the Hydrometeorological Service in the flood management. The aims of this study include: a) to explore the main sources of information on water-related hazards and the level of knowledge useful in a flood crisis situation in different groups of peoples; b) to learn what the various population groups think of the most significant causes and consequences of flood damages and the role of various central and local authorities in the elaboration and implementation of adaptation measures; c) the level of knowledge among decision - makers and general public in the area of flood assessment and forecasting. The following results have been revealed for various groups of respondents. Decision-makers with tertiary education, but having no special qualification in the hydrometeorology or other related sciences. As a rule, these persons work in the central and local governments. The most of them understand that floods present significant economic and ecological problem. But, their level of awareness on the role of hydrometeorological information and forecasting in the flood management is insufficient. Decision-makers with qualification in the field of hydrometeorology. As a rule, these persons work in local branches of the Ministry of Environment Protection, the State Service of Emergencies and the State Agency of Water Resources. On the one hand, they understand the hydrometeorological nature of floods and significance of hydrometeorological information and forecasting. On the other hand, their point of view is that hydrometeorological forecasting and warning are of secondary importance in comparison with structural methods of flood control. They also insufficiently understand a necessity to take into account the issue of climate change in the flood management policy. Views of the public on problems differ very much with regard to their regions of residence (low- or high- flood risk areas, cities or villages), education level. On the one hand, the level of awareness on some aspects of flood problems (impact of climate change and human activities, adaptation measures, the role of the Hydrometeorological Service) can be improved, on the other hand, the majority of population understand a danger of floods and a necessity of preparedness measures. Many persons estimate activities of Ukrainian authorities on local and national levels as inefficien. Results of this study underline the importance of having the alternative flood risk management policies studied not only from aspects of technical and economic rational, but also from that of social acceptability, before any decision is made. They also study underline an importance of consideration in the flood management policy professional preparedness of decision-makers as well as the awareness level of general public about this problem.