Community Resilience in Brazil: The Role of Direct Experience in Disasters

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions and self-preparation of the Brazilian population in response to heavy rainfall, focusing on the influence of prior experience with disasters triggered by natural hazards (DTNH). Despite advancements in understanding community resilience, there are significant gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the impact of direct disaster experience on perceptions of preparedness and resilience in developing countries as Brazil. Through a quantitative survey applied to 1,064 participants, a descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted, including the chi-square test, to identify significant associations between disaster experience and behaviors related to community and individual resilience. The results revealed important discrepancies: individuals with prior disaster experience demonstrated higher risk perception, self-preparation, and critical evaluation of government measures, while those without direct experience underestimated the need for preparation. Willingness to engage in community actions was high in both groups, highlighting a potential for collective mobilization. The conclusions suggest that lack of direct experience increases perceived vulnerability, pointing to the need for educational campaigns and public policies that strengthen local resilience with an emphasis on inclusive and reliable risk mitigation strategies.

Keywords: Community Resilience, Disaster Management, Intense rainfall, Risk Perception, Self-preparation.