Flood Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation and Challenges. The Case of Akaki-Kality Sub-City, Addis Ababa
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Date
2024-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Flooding is one of the most pervasive and destructive natural disasters, disproportionately affecting urban areas with inadequate infrastructure and vulnerable communities. Addis Ababa's Akaki-Kality sub-city, particularly Woreda 03, is highly prone to flooding due to its location near the Akaki River, making it a critical area for study. This research aims to assess the flood vulnerability of households in Woreda 03, with a focus on gender disparities, to provide actionable insights for equitable flood risk management. The study employs an indicator-based flood vulnerability index, drawing on socioeconomic data from 120 households. Factors such as early warning systems, flood frequency and duration, family size, proximity to water, elderly population, access to emergency services, household income, sanitation access, housing quality, education level, previous flood experience, evacuation routes, flood protection measures, flood insurance, and communication networks were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, regression, and ttests were used to examine adaptive responses and the impact of socioeconomic factors on vulnerability. Findings reveal that female-headed households are more vulnerable to flood risks compared to male-headed households. This heightened vulnerability is attributed to social factors such as lower income, limited access to resources, and reduced adaptive capacity. The study also identifies significant differences in adaptive responses and socioeconomic determinants of vulnerability between the two groups. To address these challenges, the study recommends targeted interventions, including the implementation of gender-sensitive flood risk management strategies, improved early warning systems, and enhanced community-based flood protection measures. Policymakers are urged to prioritize the adaptive capacity of femaleheaded households through infrastructure development, better access to information, and inclusive urban planning to mitigate the negative effects of flooding on vulnerable groups.
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Keywords
vulnerability indices, climate risk, gender, flood exposure, flood susceptibility, flood adaptive capacity, flood risk management, urban flood risk.