Examining the Effectiveness of Decentralized Disaster Management Funds in Enhancing Local Flood Resilience: A Case Study of Lusaka City

This study examines the effectiveness of decentralized disaster management funds in enhancing local flood preparedness and resilience in Zambia, with a focus on communities frequently exposed to seasonal flooding. Guided by the Disaster Risk Reduction Framework, the study was anchored on three objectives: (i) to evaluate the effectiveness of decentralized funds in flood preparedness and response, (ii) to assess the influence of such funds on community participation and resilience-building, and (iii) to analyze the challenges affecting their utilization in strengthening local flood resilience. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative surveys with 120 respondents from flood-prone districts and qualitative interviews with 10 officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), local government officers, and community leaders. Quantitative data were analyzed using Stata and Excel for frequencies, percentages, and regression outputs, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that while decentralized disaster funds improved early warning systems, emergency shelters, and provision of relief, gaps in timeliness and adequacy of fund disbursement constrained full effectiveness. Community participation was found to be moderately strong, with 57% of respondents acknowledging involvement in disaster planning, though challenges of limited awareness and weak accountability mechanisms were noted. Major obstacles included delayed fund release, political interference, inadequate monitoring, and resource shortages. The study concludes that decentralized disaster management funds play a significant role in strengthening community resilience, but their potential is undermined by systemic inefficiencies and governance-related challenges. It recommends strengthening accountability structures, ensuring timely and sufficient funding, enhancing local participation through inclusive decision-making, and building capacity in community-based disaster risk reduction to maximize the impact of decentralized funds in Zambia.