Abstract

Community-based disaster management initiatives have become increasingly important in addressing vulnerabilities to natural disasters, particularly in coastal communities where environmental and socio-economic conditions are often challenging. The research employed qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with participants from six randomly selected communities. Data collection was conducted through fieldwork observations and document reviews to understand the impact of the intervention over time. Themes emerging from the analysis include increased community awareness about disaster preparedness and response strategies, as evidenced by a significant proportion (75%) of respondents who reported feeling more confident in handling future disasters. Additionally, there was notable improvement in communication channels among community members regarding emergency procedures. The findings suggest that while initial training programmes have fostered resilience, sustained support and further capacity-building are necessary to ensure long-term effectiveness. Communities should be provided with ongoing education on disaster management techniques, and local authorities must reinforce these efforts through regular drills and community engagement activities. Community-based Disaster Management, Sierra Leone, Coastal Towns, Post-Disaster Resilience

Key Points