GIS-Based Livelihood Vulnerability Index Mapping of the Socioeconomy of the Pekan Community

Abstract

Monsoon floods that annually hit the east coast of Malaysia have brought a variety of implications, especially for those who inhabit the most vulnerable areas. This study aims to find the relationship between the socioeconomy of the community living and flood events in the district of Pekan, Pahang. This involved geographic analyses which combined data on vulnerability index components represented by Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping. A field survey was conducted to assess the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), comprising major and sub-components of vulnerability for ten sub-districts in Pekan. LVI mapping was performed for every major component of the LVI with spatial data on the district. Households in the Gancung sub-district were found to be more vulnerable to flooding impact, with a high exposure index (0.59), but reported a positive vulnerability based on adaptive capacity (0.06). Penyur (0.51) was the most vulnerable and sensitive in terms of food security during the flood season. LVI assessment in the Pekan district could be used as an indicator to change livelihoods, survival food storage practices, and other preventive measures in order to curb damages and injuries when annual flooding strikes in the future.

Community Preparation and Vulnerability Indices for Floods in Pahang State of Malaysia

“…The focus group comprised residents who were most likely to be inundated in the area and from a variety of socioeconomic groups. Analysis of the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) was done and based on the five essential components of the sustainable livelihood framework, which later was expanded to 10 components as noted in other studies [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Seven new subcomponents have been introduced for LVI analysis to evaluate the vulnerability of an affected community.…”

“…[ [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] Percentage of female-headed households % The primary adult is a woman whose male head is away from home, for example more than six months a year.…”

“…[ [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The Adapted from [24,32] Average time the nearby healthcare facility (with at least one qualified doctor) % Average time taken for households to get to a nearby healthcare facility. [23,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] For the last two weeks, a percentage of households with a family member who had to miss work or school because of flood disease.…”

“…[ [23][24][25]28,29] The number of households without a vegetable garden % Percentage of households without a vegetable garden to augment food resources.…”

“…[23, [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] The proportion of households with family members contracting a disease due to floods % A percentage of households indicated that at least one member of the family was sick due to flooding.…”