Title: Lessons on environmental health and disaster preparedness, response and recovery from the severe Kelantan flooding in 2014

Authors: Mohd Firdaus Mohd Radi; Jamal Hisham Hashim; Mohd Hasni Jaafar; Rozita Hod; Norfazilah Ahmad; Azmawati Mohammed Nawi; Gul Muhammad Baloch; Rohaida Ismail; Nur Izzah Farakhin Ayub

Addresses: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' United Nations University – International Institute for Global Health, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia ' School of Medicine, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia ' Kelantan State Health Department, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, 15590, Malaysia ' Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Health, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 56000, Malaysia

Abstract: Flood is a natural disaster that occurs annually in Malaysia causing devastating effects and damages to property and lives. This study looks into our environmental health and disaster preparedness, response and recovery management throughout the severe 2014 Kelantan flooding. We conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) with healthcare, rescue and welfare workers, and community representatives involved throughout the disaster. The unprecedented severe flooding affected our environmental health and disaster management leading to various prominent issues. State level officers faced greater challenges in inter-agency communication, coordination and collaboration. District level staff faced more complications during disaster and emergency response. Meanwhile, community representatives faced issues pertaining to their livelihood mainly during and after the disaster. Recommendations include improved coordination, effective communication, improved human resource management, accessible early warning system, community empowerment and awareness, and prioritisation of continuous environmental health services. We hope that these recommendations can improve our future disaster management.

Keywords: flood; environmental health; Kelantan; qualitative research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2019.099204

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2019 Vol.15 No.1, pp.26 - 53

Received: 26 Apr 2017
Accepted: 08 May 2018
Published online: 23 Apr 2019 *

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