Urban and rural dimensions in post-disaster adjustment challenges in selected communities in Kwara State, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - Journal of Disaster Risk Studies
Title Urban and rural dimensions in post-disaster adjustment challenges in selected communities in Kwara State, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 3
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 401-416
URL http://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/download/38/38
Abstract
Human populations are exposed to climate change directly through changing weather patterns as
manifested in the more frequent extreme events and indirectly through changes in ecosystem functions.
Rainstorm disasters are common events associated with environmental change and settlements in Kwara
state, Nigeria were ravaged by rainstorm events between 2003 and 2006. More than 1000 households
were displaced from their habitual homes with consequences for human health and other adjustment
challenges. #is paper examines the variations in the post-disaster adjustment challenges of rural and
urban households so as to identify location speci$c intervention strategies in the domains of environment
and health of the victims. A sample of 200 households was drawn from all households a?ted by
rainstorm disaster as re&ected; in the FEMA records during the period. A structured questionnaire was
administered in addition to the secondary data and analyzed using relevant statistical techniques. #e
$ndings include that most households required support before replacing the roofs and/or walls of their
homes. Sources of support however vary. Urban households received more institutional support but lower
than the amount required for the renovation. A signi$cant proportion of urban households moved to
poorer homes where they faced challenges relating to the quality of environmental services. Many urban
respondents also reported increases in the occurrence of water-borne and weather-related diseases and
ailments. Rural households indicated no signi$cant ecological di%erences between their former homes
and the areas to which they relocated. #e paper concludes that signi$cant variations exist in the adjustment
challenges faced by rural and urban dwellers after a disaster. Community e%orts hold promise for
emergency response particularly during disasters in rural areas.

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