Abstract

Iran, because of its geographical position, is one of the areas in the world that have most potential for the occurrence of natural hazards, particularly earthquakes, so that it has the 7th place in Asia and the 13th in the world. With an overview of the seismic zoning maps, we find out that more densely populated rural and urban settlements are located in the foothills of the Alborz and Zagros mountains, which have relatively high vulnerability in terms of natural hazards, particularly earthquakes. Therefore, the emphasis of this study was to assess the capacity and vulnerability of rural areas of Sombol Abad against earthquakes. This research seeks to measure the capacities (in social, economic, institutional, physical and natural dimension) in order to coping with the effects of the earthquake hazard, practical explanation of the role of capacity development or strengthening existing capacities to reduce the effects of earthquakes in target rural areas. To investigate this issue, both documentary and field approaches, through descriptive - analytical research method have been used. In the process of field operations, two types of questionnaires were prepared. The first questionnaire was completed by 224 families selected from 11 villages of the county through stratified sampling and the second questionnaire was completed by 45 of rural authorities. For data analysis, SPSS software, descriptive statistics (mean and average) and inferential statistics (Friedman test, one-sample t-test and correlation coefficient) were used. According to the research objectives, the hypothesis, “Administrative capacities in this area in various dimensions (social, economic, institutional, physical and natural) are sufficient for earthquake disaster management” was examined and analyzed. To test the hypothesis, first, the clustering characteristics of the five components of capacity of households and their villages (including social, economic, natural, physical and institutional) using one sample t and consider the appropriateness of numerical capacity test equal value averaged over based on Likert scale (ie, number 3) was analyzed by SPSS software to using it the average values obtained for each of the capacity of the household. On the other hand, using the Friedman test was attempting to average capacities of households and Authorities sample villages were numerically calculated and the difference between the amounts of capacities obtained. The results of the study indicated that the capacities available in the area are sufficient to reduce the effects of earthquake and vulnerability of the area. Given the importance of Issue, disaster mitigation is discussed among the parameters influencing the thoughts of, such as the UN Human Development Index. Therefore increasing the capacity of rural communities and Strengthening the capacity of rural communities against the risk, shocks absorb are the main objectives of sustainable reduce the vulnerability of rural area. So, The participatory planning approaches, such as capacity building programs through indirect government intervention to protect the rural people and Planning with people and local experts, emphasizing on training and increasing it including various methods to reduce the effects of natural disasters and reduce their vulnerability level. Therefore, the statistical analysis revealed several capacities positive impact on earthquake disaster mitigation and vulnerability of individuals, groups and rural communities studied, appropriate Strategy for capacity building and capacity development can be improved. Keywords: Keywords: capacity development, Disaster management, rural settlements, Sombol Abad county