Preparedness and strengths in disaster risk management in Lurigancho-Chosica, Lima, Peru: Toward resilience of Lima Metropolitan

Globally, disasters have been increasing in frequency, causing significant economic and human losses; however, there remains a clear lack of knowledge focused on disaster preparedness. Lima, the capital of Peru, faces multiple hazards, including debris flows, floods, and earthquakes. Chosica, a peripheral area of the city, is intersected by several streams that are highly prone to flooding and intense flows. Through field visits and in-depth interviews, our objective was to assess the level of disaster risk management (DRM) preparedness in relation to the activation of the Pedregal, Santo Domingo, and Yanacoto streams. The field visits allowed us to identify both the strengths of the human settlements in Chosica and the measures required to address existing hazards. The research included an analysis of the dimensions of community resilience—social, institutional, and physical—along with an evaluation of resilience levels based on community participation and organization. The findings revealed that each ravine presents a distinct situation with respect to hazard level and the implementation of preventive measures. Settlement in the ravines initially arose informally, driven by Lima’s housing demand and compounded by unregulated construction. Although earlier studies had already called for preventive measures before occupation, these warnings were disregarded, leaving the communities vulnerable to the imminent threat of debris flows. Over time, certain mitigation and prevention measures were implemented, but they remain insufficient, leaving the population in persistent danger. Among the three sites, the Pedregal ravine has been the most affected historically yet still lacks effective measures to address future events, demonstrating that past experiences have not always translated into learning or action. Overall, this study concludes that effective DRM begins with active community participation and organization, complemented by continuous and collaborative intervention from local government authorities.