Factors contributing to flood resilience among rural community: case study of the east coast of Malaysia

Abstract

From the spatial planning context, the National Rural Physical Policy (NRPP) 2030 indicated that almost 31% villages nationwide are identified as disaster risk villages. Based on Government of Malaysia records of more than 89 years, flood remains as the highest contributor to damage and economic losses in comparison to other disasters. This study is intended to assess internal and external factors that contributed to rural community resilience towards disaster particularly flood in relation to the context of disaster resilience concept and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Three case study areas have been selected for household surveys including (1) Lubok Setol village in Kelantan state; (2) Teladas village in Terengganu state and (3) Gajah Mati village in Pahang state. Using stratified random sampling for questionnaire distribution, the household survey received feedbacks from a total of 90 respondents. Results showed that community resilience to flood in all three villages is strongly contributed from respondent’s adoption of local knowledge combined with intervention and support from related government agencies as well as from non-governmental organisations and respondents which happen to be the disaster victims did indicate their ability to 'bounce back' after the disaster, indicating a positive act of resilient to disaster. Conclusion is drawn from the data analysis to prove that both the internal and external factors significantly contributed towards rural community resilient to disaster particularly flood.