Determinants for adopting risk management mechanisms amongst flood victims in North West Cameroon

Floods are the most frequent forms of natural disasters worldwide. Yet, empirical research on factors influencing household risk management decisions to floods is scarce. This chapter analyzes the determinants of households risk management decisions among flood victims in rural Cameroon. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a near census of 34 flood affected victims in Ngoketunjia Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing household disaster management strategies. Human and social capital variables were positively related to household decisions to adopt informal risk management strategies over formal ones. Surprisingly, financial and economic capital had no influence. The research concludes with the need to consider human and social capital aspects in designing appropriate responses for effective disaster management in developing countries, where formal (state and market) institutions for disaster management often fail or function sub-optimally.