The Perception of Flood Risks: A Case Study of Babessi in Rural Cameroon

Abstract Although risk perception of natural hazards has been identified as an important determinant for sound policy design, there is limited empirical research on it in developing countries. This article narrows the literature gap. It draws from Babessi, a rural town Northwest Region Cameroon. Babessi was hit by severe flash flood 2012. The cross-disciplinary lens applied here deciphers complexity arising hazards, often embedded contexts characterized poverty, state that constrained disaster relief, and market-based solutions being absent. Primary data were collected via snowball sampling. Multinomial logistic regression analysis suggests individuals with leadership functions, example, heads households, perceive higher, probably due to their role household providers. We found linked location, which turn associated religious affiliation. Christians floods riskier than Muslims because former traditionally reside at foot hills latter uphill; rendering less exposed eventually affected floods. Finally, public relief appears have built up trust subsequently reduced perception, even if some victims remained skeptical relief. indicates strong potential benefits transfers management