Role of Kader Siaga Bencana in the flood management of selected Kampung Siaga Bencana.

Abstract

Health cadres and community leaders' empowerment to become flood disaster preparedness cadres (Kader Siaga Bencana, KSB) still needs to be improved. The study aimed to assess flood management practices among families with disaster-vulnerable groups, as well as KSB candidates (posyandu/health cadres, community leaders) in flood management initiatives in flood-prone areas. The study used a cross-sectional design of 100 families with flood-prone groups and 100 health cadres and community leaders. They were selected using simple random sampling in five selected villages of Jakarta city affected by floods and Disaster Alert Villages (Kasmpung Siaga Bencana, DAV). Most family respondents had a low knowledge level of DAV, and inadequate knowledge of flood warning system, emergency response plan, and flood management practices, despite having good family support. Health cadres and community leaders as KSB candidates were assessed using four parameters of knowledge on KSB - flood early warning system, emergency response plan, natural hazards and flood knowledge, and flood management practice. With their sound understanding of natural hazards and floods, health cadres and community leaders were 4.52 times more likely to have good flood management practices compared to those with inadequate knowledge. Both elements of the community have the potential to be KSB because of good disaster knowledge and the presence of the flood early warning system in the community. Intervention studies to increase the knowledge and practical ability of KSB in disaster management are also needed.

Contribution: The research assessed the initial readiness of health cadres and community leaders to become disaster preparedness cadres in flood management. It is necessary to provide training to develop their expertise as KSB.