Socio-Cultural Dimensions Of Community Engagement And Flood Risk Awareness In Semi-Arid Ringim, Jigawa State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v13.n3.1462Keywords:
Community-based adaptation, Community engagement, Flood risk, Ringim, Semi-aridAbstract
Flooding in semi-arid regions, such as Ringim, Jigawa State, Nigeria, remains a persistent hazard, necessitating heightened community engagement and awareness to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience. Despite the increasing focus on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) strategies, there is a critical gap in the literature regarding the specific ways semi-arid communities engage with flood risks. Previous research has largely neglected the localised socio-cultural and institutional barriers that hinder effective community engagement and flood risk awareness in these contexts. Guided by social learning theory and participatory risk governance, the study examines how community engagement processes shape flood risk awareness and adaptive responses in the semi-arid context of Ringim. Using a qualitative method approach, including interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and participant observations, the study explores the community's perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours toward flood hazards. It examines the role of information sources, educational programs, and previous experiences in shaping the community's engagement with flood risks. Data were analysed using open and axial coding in QSR NVivo to generate codes and themes that reveal both the strengths and deficiencies in current community practices and knowledge. The study makes a significant contribution to the field by addressing the underexplored dynamics of flood risk awareness in semi-arid environments. It bridges the gap between existing CBA frameworks and the realities of local engagement, offering actionable recommendations to improve flood risk communication, foster community ownership, and integrate indigenous knowledge with formal flood adaptation strategies. The research provides recommendations for enhancing community resilience to floods, particularly in vulnerable semi-arid regions, thus filling an essential void in current flood adaptation literature. Future research could expand on this study by comparing flood risk awareness and adaptation strategies in different semi-arid regions with similar socio-economic and climatic conditions.
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