| dc.description.abstract | Floods are becoming a more pronounced disaster in many parts of the country costing lives and damaging property. Ironically, this is happening at the time where science and technology have become so much advanced including in the weather and climate forecasting world. Information on the relationship between weather forecasting and disaster risk reduction has remained scanty. Where the information is available, it is scattered in various offices including districts, Office of the Prime Minister, media houses, humanitarian agencies, NGO’s and some of it is just held in the community. Hence a study of this nature was deemed relevant and the following objectives: To assess the role played by Seasonal Climate Forecasts in disaster risk reduction; To establish the extent to which stakeholders are utilizing seasonal climate forecasts in flood disaster risk reduction; To examine the challenges faced by stakeholders in utilization of seasonal climate forecasts in disaster risk management efforts; and To establish possible strategies for effective utilization of seasonal climate forecasts in disaster risk management efforts.
The study used a cross-sectional research design, because the information from various respondents from Kasese District had to be gathered representing what was going on at that particular time. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a completer and more comprehensive picture of the issues under study. A total of 380 respondents were interviewed using the survey method by way of questionnaire. In addition, four (4) FGDs were also conducted to supplement the data collected by questionnaires. Nine (9) key informant interviews were also conducted with people in key positions who were deemed to have the relevant information to the study.
The study findings revealed that the communities of Kasese district understood the importance of Climate forecasting in disaster risk reduction. Some respondents reported that they usually received seasonal climate forecasts using the different channels, but others reported to have never received them at all. Respondents discussed the role played by the seasonal climate forecasts in disaster risk reduction. Most of the respondents who reported that they accessed the forecasts said that the forecasts help them to plan accordingly by ensuring timely planting and harvesting, storing enough (or at least some) food and comparing forecasts and what happened following previous forecasts to act appropriately. However, they reported various challenges in their attempts to rely on the forecasts for disaster risk reduction such as inaccurate forecasts, late delivery of/access to forecast information, poverty (inability to implement any pre disaster measures) among others.
The study recommends that an organisation should be created that includes government officials, research and academic institutions, as well as disaster management agencies to improve information sharing among disaster risks managers for the implementation of effective early warning systems. It was also recommended that the government should create conducive platform that supports farming communities so as to enhance their response capabilities to the information of Seasonal Climate Forecasts. | en_US |
