Spatial Analysis of Risks and Vulnerabilities to Major Hazards in Madagascar Using the Multi-Criteria Method Based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract

Natural disasters are not negligible factors that have significant impacts on a country's development. Madagascar cannot escape cyclones, floods and drought due to its geographical situation. The objective in this work is to assess the risks and vulnerability to these hazards in order to strengthen the resilience of the Malagasy population. Our approach is based on multi-criteria spatial analysis using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results form decision spatial information that can be used at the strategic level of natural risk and disaster management. This work focuses on the degree of vulnerability and it was found in this study that the Androy and Atsimo-Atsinanana regions are the most vulnerable to major hazards in Madagascar not only because of their exposure to risk but also because of their very low socio-economic status.