Cultural Dynamics in Disaster Management: Exploring Sociocultural Influences on Disaster Response in Malaysia

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Disaster Management
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Disaster management often prioritizes technical solutions over sociocultural influences.
• Malaysia's multiethnic context necessitates understanding cultural impacts on disaster resilience.
• Floods and monsoon storms highlight the need for context-specific disaster strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the influence of religious beliefs, community cohesion, gender roles, and traditional knowledge on disaster management in Malaysia.
• To identify how sociocultural factors shape disaster preparedness and recovery in a multiethnic nation.
• To inform culturally sensitive and inclusive disaster management policies.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• In-depth interviews with 15 diverse stakeholders, including community members, leaders, and NGO workers.
• Exploration of sociocultural influences across various ethnic and religious groups.

Main Results:

• Religious beliefs present both resilience and barriers to preparedness.
• Community cohesion (gotong-royong) aids resource mobilization but can exclude marginalized groups.
• Gender roles impact response, with women often in caregiving roles but underrepresented in decision-making.
• Traditional knowledge is valuable but faces challenges from modern technology adoption.

Conclusions:

• Culturally sensitive, gender-inclusive, and community-driven policies are essential for Malaysian disaster management.
• Integrating sociocultural dimensions into formal disaster frameworks enhances adaptability and inclusivity.
• Improving disaster resilience requires greater community participation and gender inclusivity.