Public Perception and Resilience to Flooding: An Examination of Vulnerability in Brazzaville, Congo During the 2019 Floods

This study assesses the risk perception of flooding victims, sensitivity and exposure of people to flooding between November and December 2019 in Brazzaville, Congo.To achieve our objective, a questionnaire was administered to 382 people living in the zone of our research.Methodologically, an analysis of socio-economic indicators such as age, level of education, income, gender, risk exposure indicators (location, house typology, height of water, duration of flooding, etc.), sensitivity indicators (time in the area, cause of flooding, experience of flooding, type of house, etc.) as well as adaptation measures (risk response, adaption strategies, return to normal, relief and help, etc.) were done and used to highlight the extent of recovery of flood victims.Based on the findings of this study, it came out that 71.5% of those surveyed were not aware of the risks, while 28.5% had some few knowledge of the risk.The study also found that 72.2% of people living in flood-prone areas were not aware of the risks of flooding in their location.During that period, the Government of Congo provided supplies and palliatives such as food, medication, and temporary housing to some victims.Sequel to the findings of this study, it is recommended that the government of Congo (Brazzaville) works on heightening awareness regarding flood risks and provide indicators that can be used to enhance cities' resilience against flooding.