Evaluation of social resilience in disaster management with multi-criteria decision making methods

Understanding and researching societal resilience is crucial for building stronger, more adaptable communities in the face of disasters. By focusing on developing community bonds, leveraging social capital, and integrating cultural perspectives, we can better prepare for and respond to future challenges. Investing in societal resilience not only aids recovery during disaster events but also contributes to the overall health and well-being of communities. Framing and measuring the concept of societal resilience is vital for enhancing community strength, improving disaster preparedness, and promoting effective recovery. It empowers communities to understand their dynamics, allocate resources wisely, and develop policies that support resilience-building initiatives. Evaluating societal resilience in disaster management using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods is a complex process involving the assessment of various factors contributing to a community's ability to withstand and recover from disasters. MCDM methods, such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHS) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), are used to systematically evaluate and prioritize these factors. These methods help identify vulnerabilities and strengths within communities, thus guiding effective disaster management strategies. From this perspective, key strategies, strategic objectives, and strategic steps, formulated based on the "Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient" outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), were evaluated using AHS. As a result of the analysis, priority strategic objectives and steps were determined for nine key strategies. Keywords: Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Disaster Management, Societal Resilience