Understanding urban food vulnerability and resilience: a case study of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

M. Y. Safah Yusmah

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Type :	article
Subject :	General Works History General and Old World
Main Author :	M. Y. Safah Yusmah
Additional Authors :	L. J. Bracken H. Norhaslina M. D. Melasutra A. Ghafarianhoseini1 S. Sumiliana A. S. Shereen Farisha
Title :	Understanding urban food vulnerability and resilience: a case study of Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Place of Production :	Springer
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Abstract :

Malaysia is frequently afected by the annual fooding event caused by the seasonal monsoon which accounts for signifcant losses. Flood risk, exposure and damage potential are increasing, causing the level of poverty and vulnerability to rise. The annual occurrence of the food hazard has forced residents to prepare beforehand to help them spring back to their daily life faster. This study aimed to investigate and understand the vulnerability and resilience of the victims towards foods in Kuantan, Pahang. A qualitative approach of focus group discussion (FGD) is used to obtain detailed and authentic information. A total of thirty-one (31) participants who were food victims took part in the FGD. Six groups were formed for the FGD based on diferent criteria such as gender, age, education background, occupation, monthly income and social class. Each FGD group consisted of four to six participants. When the participants were asked to rank their top fve daily challenges, many thought that fooding is not a threat compared to food, because fooding occurs annually and is predictable. The results showed that the participants are well aware of the causes of the vulnerability faced by them due to the fooding event. Reasons highlighted from the results for the food occurrence are the demography of the area, the location of the houses, the improper and inaccurate information and evacuation plan, the management of the transit centre and the lack of preparation by the community. The participants also thought that poor dissemination of early warning information and food control infrastructures from the government and other related agencies caused the victims to have insufcient time to prepare for emergencies, hence causing the recovery process to be slower. However, from their hands-on experiences, they were able to put forward suggestions on the resilience towards food for future references.

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