Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Legislations and Strategies Awareness in Tanzania: A Case of Dar Es Salaam City
This peer-reviewed study examines awareness and compliance with disaster risk management (DRM) and emergency response legislations and strategies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest and fastest-growing city. Based on survey data from 105 respondents and institutional analysis, the research finds that while residents and public officials are generally aware of disaster risks — particularly floods, fires, and disease outbreaks — compliance with established policies and response strategies remains moderate due to resource constraints, weak coordination, political interference, infrastructure gaps, and limited community involvement.
The study highlights critical challenges in risk identification, urban land-use planning, emergency response capacity, and institutional alignment, and proposes practical recommendations to strengthen governance, public awareness, early warning systems, and coordinated response mechanisms. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and disaster management practitioners seeking to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in rapidly urbanizing contexts.