Population Mitigation Strategies to Geomorphic Hazards in Limbe West Coast, South West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Environmental hazards are one of the main problems affecting humanity, especially human settlement in hazard prone zones. The study investigates the population strategies to mitigate geomorphic hazards in Limbe within the past 20 years. Data collected through a sample of 200 questionnaires and interview, were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques. The results reveal that geomorphic hazards have been recurrent in Limbe particularly in the months of June, July and August where the average number of days for rainfall is 27 days in a month. The frequency of hazards occurrence is very often and is highly significant at P=0.000. It also reveals that mitigation measures such as raising foundation, use solid structures and embankments, vary from one area to another within the selected sample sites. Thus, the management strategies to mitigate geomorphic hazards are still lagging behind as there is lack of sensitization/education, good rehabilitation schemes on the part of the authorities to make population avoiding flood and landslide prone zones. Therefore, there is need of management plan for geomorphic hazards in particular and disaster risk management in general that should integrate all stakeholders for a co-management between the Limbe city council and the communities in risk prone areas.