Publication:

Awareness and preparedness for disasters amongst residents in dry, hilly, and delta regions of Myanmar

Background Because of Myanmar's location, many residents are in disaster risk zones. This study aimed to explore the disaster-related awareness and preparedness of the residents from the dry, hilly, and delta regions.

Methods This research was a survey design, a cross-sectional approach, and used a survey questionnaire. By applying the RCDP clusters and hazard profile, 13 (19%) villages from hilly, 100 (53%) villages from dry, and 27 (28%) villages from the delta region were proportionately and randomly selected. From which,1800 household heads were randomly culled. The data collected through the face-to-face interview were entered into EpiData and analyzed in STATA 15.

Results All samples of residents were composed of 6.7% from hilly, 76.5% from dry, and 16.8% from the delta region. Residents of 72.4% and 71.5% (dry region), 54.3% and 53.4% (hilly region), and 88.6% and 87.6% (delta region) were aware of the types and associated risks of the common disasters, respectively. Regarding disaster preparedness, approximately one-third have prepared for evacuation, emergency response, disaster kits, safe areas (shelter), reconstruction/rehabilitation, about one-fifth for emergency response operations, risk assessment, and risk reduction planning, and less than 10% for capacity building, awareness-raising, and information management. More than 50% have planned for preparedness after returning homes. Overall, good awareness and preparedness proportions were 38.2% and 13.9%.

Conclusions Overall, the three regions' disaster awareness and preparedness levels were unsatisfactory, which highlights that National Natural Disaster Management Committee should effectively apply the information media, provide training/advocacies and support safe community initiatives.