Roles, responsibilities, and strategies for enhancing disaster risk perception: A quantitative study

INTRODUCTION: Perception the risk of disasters, is mainly of universal and theoretical nature and is a means of achieving risk understanding/knowledge. In Sendai Framework, the focus is on increasing risk understanding plans in order to achieve community resilience. Therefore, to achieve greater public participation in planning for disaster risk reduction (DRR), this study was conducted primarily to clarify people's expectations from disaster risk management authorities in order to approach managers’ and experts’ views to people's views. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 22 participants, who were selected using a purposive sampling technique, in three provinces of Iran. Data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis using open coding, classifying, and abstracting. RESULTS: By constant, comparison of data, classes, and subcategories were defined. Knowledge, beliefs, practical obligation, respect for human beings, endeavoring for systemic actions in terms of planning, implementation, and evaluation classes. In three more abstract categories, personal, interpersonal, and social commitments were defined. CONCLUSION: At the preparatory stage, disaster managers need the maximum participation of people in DRR programs. They, in addition to understanding the importance of their managerial positions at individual levels and social interactions, are committed to reducing risk.