The role of social capital in the management of natural hazards in rural settlements (Case Study: Kermanshah Mahidasht)

Rural areas are vulnerable in the face of natural hazards. Therefore, it is important to
manage natural hazards. Social capital is very important in the management of natural
hazards. Social capital plays an important role in mobilizing the villagers to deal with
natural hazards. So social capital is the ability to form and maintain relationships. This
is to facilitate the achievement of the objectives through the development of
communication and cooperation as the central point in local development. Therefore,
this article examines the role of social capital in local risk management in Kermanshah
Mahidasht District. Investigative method was quantitative survey and a questionnaire
was used to collect information. Average reliability was calculated through Cronbachs
alpha coefficient and it was equal to 0.75 and validity was approved by the experts
geography. Statistical society calculated by Cochran method. Sampling method was
simple random sampling. Rural population includes people. It includes 84 people in
Mahidasht Kermanshah. In this paper, we study social capital and its role on natural
hazard management. This paper shows that trust component is important factors in
hazard management. This paper shows that corporation is high among villagers. They
help together in disasters time. Institutions have important role in hazard management.
This paper shows that there are relationship among trust, corporation, institution,
knowledge and social solidarity in 0.05 levels. This paper shows by regression that
Social solidity is most important role in the management of natural hazards in
component of social capital. The next stage is confidence and awareness. Local
institutions play a minimal role. This suggests that successfully cope with natural
hazards depends largely on external factors internal factors within the village.