AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS ON THE SAFETY OF RECORDS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS: A CASE STUDY OF CARAVAN MUSEUM

This study assessed the implementation of disaster recovery plans (DRPs) and their effectiveness in protecting records at Caravan Museum, a public heritage institution in Tanzania. Using a descriptive case study design with mixed methods, the research examined 30 participants (25 staff members and 5 head officers) through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed that 72% of respondents acknowledged the existence of written disaster recovery guidelines, though internal awareness gaps persisted across operational levels. Regarding implementation, 48% of staff reported moderate implementation, while 28% indicated poor implementation of disaster recovery strategies. The primary challenges inhibiting effective implementation were inadequate funding (28%), insufficient staff training (24%), inadequate ICT infrastructure (24%), and limited management support (24%). Qualitative interviews corroborated these findings, emphasizing that restricted budgetary allocations prevented investment in modern disaster suppression systems and off-site digital preservation networks. Respondents recommended four priority interventions: increasing budget allocations (28%), conducting regular staff training (24%), adopting digital backup systems (24%), and formulating explicit operational disaster policies (24%). The study concludes that while Caravan Museum has established foundational DRPs, practical implementation remains constrained by resource limitations. The irreplaceable cultural and administrative records remain vulnerable to permanent loss without immediate institutional investment in capacity building, digital infrastructure, and dedicated financial resources. The research provides empirical evidence supporting the need for comprehensive disaster risk management frameworks in heritage institutions throughout Tanzania.

Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Peer review

Not peer-reviewed

Licence

All rights reserved