Socio-Economic Responses from the Disaster Management Committee on Natural Disaster Management in Iringa District Council, Tanzania

The purpose of the study was to assess the socio-economic responses from Iringa District Council Natural Disaster Management Committee. The research used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches whereby questionnaires were used to collect data from community members and interviews were conducted with the key informants from Iringa District Council Disaster Management Committee. Cross-sectional design was used to gather data to answer the research problem and summarize the results. Targeted population was 11675 community members and key informants from District, Ward and Village Disaster Management Committees (DMC, WDMC AND VDMC) in Iringa District Council whereby a sample size of 133 was drawn out of it. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used for the selection of respondents. Descriptive statistical analysis and contents analysis were used in data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the DMC has been providing both social and economic responses to the disaster victims such as temporary shelters and housing, supply of water and food as well as a relief package to the disaster victims. However, the social responses were considered minimal as compared to the economic responses by the DMC. The study recommended for the WDMCs and VDMCs to be empowered to be able to mobilize social economic assistance within and outside the community. This will help the local community to restore their lives and properties before the assistance from the DDMC. The DDMC is advised to establish training schedules with proper skills and techniques on natural disaster management in wards, villages, involving the academic institutions in the respective areas, definitely will facilitate to handle the situation effectively. Furthermore, the WDMCs and the VDMCs should re-enforce the legal disaster management Act, and Village by laws of (2019).