Flood Risk Perception and Government’s Role in Implementing Regulations

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between public perceptions of flood risk, participation in government action, satisfaction with government efforts, knowledge of flood prevention, and institutional trust in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilizes structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships among these variables across six disaster-prone communities in Freetown from 2017 to 2022. Data were collected from 1,500 respondents using STATSL2020 questionnaire, covering flood risk perception, public participation, satisfaction with government actions, flood knowledge, and institutional trust. The analysis reveals that higher public participation and institutional trust correlate with lower perceived flood risks, while a greater perception of flood risk negatively affects views on government efforts. Furthermore, the findings indicate that knowledge and trust influence the impact of public engagement on satisfaction with government actions, with demographic variables such as gender, age, income, and education playing a role in these relationships. This study empirically demonstrates the relationship between institutional trust and public participation in flood risk perception, highlighting the importance of clear communication and participatory strategies in building trust and satisfaction in government flood risk management. The research underscores the significance of involving communities in disaster prevention efforts and the need for transparent communication to enhance public trust and satisfaction with government regulations for flood disaster prevention.