Status of community peace and security in the face of floods: Insights from Mkwatani Ward, Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Floods are among the most common and disruptive disasters worldwide, affecting not only livelihoods but also community peace and human security. While previous research has extensively documented the physical and economic effects of flooding, less attention has been given to how recurrent floods influence perceived safety, social stability, and confidence in local disaster response systems. This study examined community peace and security in the context of recurrent flooding in Mkwatani Ward, Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a household survey of 171 households affected by flooding in Mkwatani and Kichangani villages in Mkwatani ward, with key informant interviews and a review of documents. The findings indicate that 60.23% of respondents reported feeling insecure in their areas of residence during flood events. Among those reporting insecurity, 73.79% reported destruction of property and 54.37% reported theft. Government assistance was reported by 60.82% of respondents, with food (62.50%), mattresses (59.62%), clothing (47.12%), and financial assistance (47.12%) among the reported forms of support. Among respondents who received government assistance, 69.23% reported biased distribution overall, including 74.19% in Mkwatani and 61.90% in Kichangani. Overall, 51.92% of aid recipients were satisfied with government services, with satisfaction significantly associated with village of residence (χ 2 = 8.2762, p = 0.004). The findings demonstrate that recurrent flooding extends beyond physical and economic losses to affect perceived safety, institutional trust, and community stability. Strengthening inclusive early warning systems, improving transparency and equity in aid distribution, and enhancing community participation in disaster risk reduction may contribute to safer and more socially stable flood-prone communities.