SOCIAL SUPPORT AND PERCEIVED VULNERABILITY TO FLOODING AMONG URBAN POOR DWELLERS IN ACCRA

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to examine the association between social support and perceived vulnerability to flooding in two flood prone communities in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Jamestown which is made up largely of Ga indigenes and Agbogbloshie an ethnically heterogeneous community were selected. Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed during the study. Purposive sampling was used in selecting respondents who have had some flooding experience. Random sampling on the other hand was employed in selecting non flood victims. Four focus groups in each of the two communities comprising of a minimum of six people were selected making a sample size of fifty three. Discussions with respondents were audio taped in their local language and later transcribed into English language with assistance of an expert. The transcribed scripts were further coded and themes that emerged were later analysed using the thematic network approach. The identified flooding types in both communities were drainage problem floods and flash floods. Drainage problem flood were however the predominant type of flooding in Agbogbloshie. Children, women, elderly and the poor populations were groups identified to be most vulnerable to flooding. From the research it was revealed that, respondents in Jamestown do not receive any social support in the aftermath of flooding. However, the two forms of social support existed in Agbogbloshie, although very negligible. The only formal support available was stones from the Assemblyman. Informal support from friends and religious bodies was also available for flood victims in Agbogbloshie. To reduce the incidence of drainage problem floods in the study area, authorities should help construct proper drainage facilities in Agbogbloshie, since they suffer most as a result of poor drainage systems. Tangible formal support in monetary terms should be provided to flood victims to help them recover from this sudden distressing event.