Factors contributing to Participation in Community-led DRR Programmes in Malaysia

Community-led disaster risk management is a method that stresses community participation and involvement in disaster prevention, response and recovery. This approach acknowledges that communities possess unique knowledge, resources and capacities that can be used to improve disaster management. Community-led disaster risk management, which involves communities in decision-making processes and provides them with the appropriate tools and training, can improve local resilience and the overall efficacy of disaster response and recovery activities. This approach also recognizes the need to address social, economic and environmental issues that contribute to vulnerability and increase the risk of disaster. Community-led disaster risk management, sometimes known as the "bottom-up approach," brings together local community skills to effectively address and mitigate disaster risks. This method improves local resilience and increases overall disaster response and recovery efforts by actively engaging communities in decision-making processes and providing them with the appropriate tools and training. Furthermore, by addressing social, economic and environmental elements that contribute to vulnerability, community-led disaster risk management helps to reduce the risk of disasters. This bottom-up strategy enables communities to take proactive steps toward catastrophe preparedness, response and recovery, resulting in more sustainable and resilient communities. Previous studies have highlighted that involving communities in policy development and decision-making processes enhances sustainability, resilience and local engagement in policy implementation. As shown in many cases, local stakeholders including Government agencies at the national, state and local levels, local champions and leaders, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), often collaborate closely to develop comprehensive and effective disaster management plans.