Socio-Economic Impacts of Natural

Disasters: A Livelihood analysis of

Rural Communities in Kundasang,

Sabah

Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin, PhDUTM RAZAK SCHOOL of Engineering and Advanced Technology, UTM, Kuala Lumpur

23 May 2017

MMJD 1263 Disaster Education &

Preparedness for Social Resilience

Government preparing a program on natural disaster management

This paper analyses the socio-economic

impacts of natural disasters and multi-

hazards resulted from the Sabah Earthquake

(followed by series of aftershocks, landslides

and debris flow).

The main analysis examines the impacts of

natural disasters mainly to the local

economy, social activity and

physical/environment.

INTRODUCTION

Twin landslides in Mesilou, Kundasang, Sabah

(Khamarrul 2015)

Landslides at Kinabalu Golf Club, Kundasang, Sabah

(Khamarrul 2015)

Community Livelihood Analysis (CLA)

CLA is a tool for analysing people’s livelihood and the impacts of specificthreats on livelihood vulnerability.

Household income

Employment structure

Ownership of assets

Socio-economic Goals + stra

at micro level

CLA Lax & Krug (2013); Morse et al. (2009); ENN (2006)

Community Livelihood Analysis (CLA)

Another crucial element of CLA is that it involves communityparticipation to identify the economic, social and physicalcomponents of their livelihoods that are affected or vulnerable to aspecific threat (or in this case, the multi-hazards and the aftermathof natural disasters) (Lax and Krug, 2013; ENN, 2006).

Relevant participatory methods for assessments are adopted suchas household surveys using specifically-designed questionnaires andunstructured interviews in order to uncover local issues, problemsor concerns and their perception and response towards reducingthe risk or negative consequences, should multi-hazards anddisasters occur in the future.

The CLA might not serve as a basis for emergency assessments.However, some information gathered through CLA process could beuseful especially to alert the community and local authoritiesregarding the socio-economic impacts of a disaster on thelivelihoods of rural households.

Assessment: Field visit & participatory method

Field visit and observation

Stakeholders’ meeting

Household survey

FGD

Follow-up interview

RESULTS

Information Num.

(n)

Total num.

(n)

% Total

(%)

1 Gender

• Male

• Female

33

60

36.0

64.0

93 100.0

2 Ethnicity

• Dusun

• Others

90

3

97.0

3.0

93 100.0

3 Religion

• Islam

• Christian

• Animism

90

1

2

97.0

1.0

2.0

93 100.0

Information Num.

(n)

Total num.

(n)

% Total

(%)

4 Marital status

• Single

• Married

• Single mother

• Single father

16

71

4

2

17.0

76.0

4.0

3.0

93 100.0

5 Origin

• Born and raised

here

• Moved here from

other village/place

74

19

80.0

20.0

93 100.0

Monthly household income according to village (RM501 – RM1000)

Before disaster

After disaster

Monthly household income according to village (RM1001– RM1500)

Before disaster

After disaster

Monthly household income according to village (RM1501-RM2000)

Before disaster

After disaster

Monthly household income according to village (RM2001-RM2500)

Before disaster

After disaster

Knowledge and Preparedness towards Disaster

Yes

Experiencing disaster

No

Experiencing disaster – types of disaster

Landslide Mud flood Earthquake Strong wind

Others

Due to climate shifting

Natural phenomena

Human activities (uncontrolled development)

Possible factors of disaster

Question / statement Min value

Note / remarks

1 I may have capability to predict disaster 2.29 Disagree

2 Natural disaster is something that you cannot avoid or prevent

4.11 Agreed

3 My house was built to withstand earthquake (shaking)

2.56 Disagree to not sure

4 My bedroom was built to withstand earthquake

2.82 Disagree to not sure

5 I have/prepare disaster emergency kit / bag

3.26 Not sure

Question / statement Min value Note / remarks

6 I knew where to evacuate / safe shelter 3.53 No sure to agree

7 It is important to share experience in facing disaster

4.45 Agreed

8 I believe government will provide sufficient help/facilities for disaster relief

3.54 Not sure to agree

9 I believe government will repair damages in my area after disaster

3.83 Not sure to agree

10 I knew which agencies to be contacted for help/assistance

3.82 Not sure to agree

11 I am aware of the importance of DRR activities 4.02 Agreed

Source of information for disaster (n=93)

Local authority

Access to information during and after disaster (n=93)

After disaster During disaster

No access

Very limited

Good access

Perception on the possibilities of moving out or to be resettled elsewhere (n=93)

Not thinking about moving out

Have thought but can’t afford

Have thought & wanted to move

Reasons given by those who do not want to move out (n=34)

Will involve high cost

Have no other option/no land

Already used to it/adopted

Involvement in decision-making process related to DRR (n=93)

Yes No Not sure

Perception on the role and effectiveness of agencies in disaster response and management (n=93)

Very effective

Effective

Not sure

Less efficient

Not efficient

SESI 1Soal-selidik isirumah – menilai impak geobencana terhadap kehidupan

penduduk kampung, 25/11/2015

Bilangan responden, n=100

Conclusion

This study revealed an evidence that can be used to support the claim that monthly

income of the villages was reduced after the disaster. The most significant evidence is the increase in the

percentage of households with a monthly income below RM500 in every village (which means more people have fallen into the “poor” category) which is then

directly related to the decrease in households with a monthly income between RM501 and RM2500.

However, this study cannot confirm/conclude whether the poor people (income below

RM500/month) in the study area is attributed to the reduced revenue for categories

other than under RM500.

Thus, regular research should be conducted promptly to describe this relationship in

greater depth and find out whether the decline in income was due to a disaster or

otherwise

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