Abstract

This paper presents preliminary findings on community engagement in landslide risk assessment and inventory mapping in Limbe, Southwest Cameroon. Emphasis was placed on collection of disaster experiences, training and skills development of the locals in identifying and characterising landslides and landslide contributory factors. Despite a number of challenges ranging from lack of incentives, proper communication channels and workshops/seminars, the project recorded a number of successes. As project partners, community members developed an awareness and basic understanding of the landslide phenomenon and contributed towards updating the landslide inventory map of the area. Given these positive outcomes, a Community-Based Disaster Management Approach is considered a plausible solution towards effective mitigation and management of geohazards especially in developing countries.

Key words: Landslide risk assessment, community-based disaster managementapproach, capacity building, Cameroon.