Vulnerability assessment for climate-induced disasters in Malaysia

Climate induced disasters can be considered as an outcome of a triggering agents (often known as the hazard) and vulnerability factors. Within the context of climate-induced disasters, humans do not have the control over the triggering agents. Even though it is difficult to control the triggering agent, the level of its exposure to a vulnerable community or system would determine the severity of its impact. Within this context, by reducing the vulnerability, the impact of climate-induced disasters can be minimized. Accordingly, this study evaluates the disaster vulnerability factors in Malaysia with particular reference to the climate-induced disaster- floods. A workshop has been carried out with the involvement of practitioners and professionals who are working in disaster management sector to identify the key vulnerable factors in Malaysia. The findings identified Social Vulnerability as the main vulnerability factor that affects the Malaysian community followed by Operational/Managerial, Technological, Economic and Political vulnerabilities. The findings of the study revealed the need of addressing vulnerability factors at different levels such as at the community, institutional and policy levels and how the vulnerability factors are interconnected with one another