Community reconstruction orientation by victims of the disaster of a post-monsoon flood in Malaysia

Abstract

A monsoon flood often happens on a huge scale on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has an immediate impact on the community. This article explores the community reconstruction orientation of the victims of the disaster of a post-monsoon flood in Malaysia. The study was carried out using an exploratory case study design on nine flood victims in Pahang, Malaysia. These informants were chosen by using purposive sampling, and data were gathered using the interview and observation methods. This study found three forms of community reconstruction orientation: (1) self-orientation, (2) family orientation, and (3) community orientation. Each orientation can be observed in a context through a participation indicator element, such as priority and commitment; readiness, knowledge, and skill; and social routine. A reconstruction effort from all parties ought to consider these orientations to avoid negative effects on the community. Thus, this study suggests that a partnership approach should be applied in the future to carry out community reconstruction. However, the findings cannot be generalized since it was a preliminary study.