Percieved Factors Influencing Sustainability of Community Disaster Risk Reduction Projects in Kenya: a Case of Order of Saint Augustine in Evurore Ward, Embu County

Abstract

Community Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR) enable communities to build resilience in coping with disasters. However, sustainability issues continue to impact Community Disaster Risk Reduction projects. Therefore, there is need for assessing factors that influence sustainability of disaster risk reduction projects. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing sustainability of community disaster risk reduction projects implemented by Order of St Augustine in Evurore ward, Embu County. This study sought to establish the extent at which community participation, community disaster risk awareness, community environment conservation practices and agricultural extension services influence sustainability of community disaster risk reduction projects. This was a cross-sectional survey in which 393 participants were sampled and 374 accepted to participate representing a 95% response rate. Stratified proportionate sampling was used in sampling participants from Kamarandi, Ndurumori and Iria Itune wards. Data was collected by use of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) were used in analyzing characteristics and study variables. Correlation analysis test was used to assess the association between variables and sustainability of CDRR projects. Statistical Package Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23 was used in analysis. The results indicated a significant and strong positive correlation between community participation and sustainability of community disaster risk reduction projects as correlation factor r=0.789, p=0.002<0.05. There was a significant and strong positive correlation between community disaster risk awareness and sustainability of community disaster risk Reduction projects (r=0.773, p=0.000<0.05). Equally there was a significant and strong positive correlation between environmental conservation practices and sustainability of community disaster risk reduction projects as correlation factor r=0.725, p=0.001<0.05. A significant and strong positive exists between utilization of extension services and sustainability of community disaster risk reduction projects (r=0.769, p=0.011<0.05). Drought is the most common type of disaster risk, however not all respondents had made adequate preparation towards disasters. There is high uptake of conservation practices that promote long-term sustainability of CDRR project. Most farmers had received extension services, however there is need to scale up access to services such as linking farmers to markets for them to sell their produce. On overall knowledge gained from extension services can be considered as a critical factor in sustainability of CDRR projects.