Evaluation of societal trust on multi-hazard early warning (MHEW) mechanism: Sri Lankan context

Abstract

Purpose It is significant to assess the societal trust toward the new advancements in multi-hazard early warnings (MHEW) with the focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR). Based on this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of societal trust behavior along with the parameters such as mode of communication and institutions of issuing early warnings (EWs). Design/methodology/approach A field questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the extent of societal trust. This was conducted in ten selected Grama Niladari divisions in Sri Lanka based on a developed hazard matrix. The fuzzy logic approach was applied to examine the trust level of collected 323 responses obtained through this. The analysis was done based on the responses on mobile-based platforms in EW and the credibility level of the warnings received through different institutions. Findings The analyzed survey responses indicated that society has a higher extent of trust toward the EWs disseminated through mobile-based platforms. Moreover, these represent a strong positive correlation among the societal trust level and the level of importance of EW dissemination through mobile-based platforms. Further, in terms of trusted stakeholders in issuing EW alerts, Disaster Management Center, Sri Lanka Police and Media ranked the highest in the Sri Lankan context. Overall, findings were visually mapped through the causal loop diagrams (CLDs). Practical implications In enhancing the effectiveness of the existing MHEW mechanism, the policy implications could be done, based on the results obtained from this research study. These could be altered with the implementation of DRR strategies with a community focus. Originality/value The fuzzy logic approach was used in the determination of the societal decision-making on the extent of trust level. Fuzzy triangulation is mainly applied in the interpretation of the results. Further, overall parameters that determine the community trust on MHEW are represented through CLDs through system dynamics application.

Review of Tsunami early warning system and coastal resilience with a focus on Indian Ocean

“…The warning system in Thailand has made considerable progress by expanding and improving Tsunami stations, warning towers installation and equipped stations to measure sea level (Rasquinho et al , 2012). At present, the Government of Sri Lanka have not undertaken any hard measure on Tsunami policy and depends upon IOTWS for obtaining information for the purpose of the evacuation of coastal communities (Samarasekara et al , 2017; Jayasekara et al , 2021; Arachchi et al , 2021). The Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka is the primary organization associated with EWS and along with National Emergency Operations Centre coordinates early warning, the transmission of warnings to different communities (Aguirre-Ayerbe et al , 2020; Perera et al , 2020).…”

Identifying gaps in early warning mechanisms and evacuation procedures for tsunamis in Sri Lanka, with a special focus on the use of social media

“…Moreover, public trust and awareness of disaster evacuation plans have decreased considerably in the country because of reasons such as conducting training drills without prior notices to the public (Pitigala Liyana Arachchi et al , 2021; Rathnayake et al , 2020). During the existing evacuation process, the needs of vulnerable groups such as older adults and differently abled people have been neglected (Perera et al , 2020).…”

Multi-hazard early warnings ; the importance of managing stakeholders for effective disaster response

“…Stakeholders in Disaster Management are those individuals or organizations that may contribute to, be affected by or can be influenced in all the phases of the disaster risk management cycle [1]. They can be government agencies, private organizations, media, NGOs/donors, emergency insurers services and the public.…”

“…Several studies were conducted by the Disaster Risk Management research team of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, in collaboration with local and international institutions to investigate the efficacy of MHEW systems focusing on coastal hazards mainly. Use of technological platforms for early warnings, special needs of vulnerable communities in evacuation and shelter management, risk governance, and use of social media for disaster risk communication are a few areas that have been investigated by the research team [1], [8]- [11].…”