The Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the government’s decision to build more prevention and mitigation facilities in high density cities to resolve flood woes. This decision which includes long-term solutions such as building tunnels to manage stormwater was agreed upon during the Central Disaster Management Committee meeting which took place on 3 February 2022.
According to news reports, the committee has also principally agreed on 17 suggestions proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Water which include short- and long-term measures. Most of these measures are in the form of physical infrastructure necessary for flood mitigation.
Some of the measures proposed will not only involve the relevant authorities in managing disasters such as flooding, but also the community, in particular community leaders. Community leaders will be empowered to act as first responders in order to ensure that the required actions are taken at the onset of the disaster.
Undoubtedly, preparing for mitigating disasters would entail the construction of physical infrastructure. However, the need to educate the public on what to do during disasters is also of equal importance. Awareness and education on disaster mitigation and management should therefore be a part of the long-term solution.
In this regard, Malaysia can benefit by learning from countries such as Japan which has established disaster education centres in major cities as a means to educate and create awareness among community members in a non-formal way. Japan, as a country prone to many natural disasters, could not afford to ill-manage disasters. Aside from technological and infrastructural measures, the country also focuses on disaster education.
In Tokyo for example, there is a centre known as Honjo Bosai-Kan or Honjo Life Safety Learning Centre. This centre is established to provide information, education and awareness on disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and fires. Visitors are provided with oral and written information, watch video clips of disasters as well as experience simulations and drills on what to do when disasters strike.
Centres like this are important in educating the masses regarding disasters. Non-formal methods of education can enhance awareness efforts made through campaigns. As such, Malaysia should look into ways to educate the public on what needs to be done when faced with a disaster.
At this juncture, we may not need a specific centre on disaster education like the ones in Japan. Existing non-formal education centres such as the National Science Centre and Petrosains, both in Kuala Lumpur, or those found at the state level such as the Terengganu Science and Creativity Centre can be utilised for this purpose.
These centres can set up one dedicated section on disaster which can be used to provide scientific information as well as simulations so that visitors can carry out hands-on learning regarding the necessary actions needed during disasters. It is hoped that such an effort can increase awareness and understanding on disasters, and more importantly create an informed and resilient community that knows what to do in the face of a disaster.
For Muslims, another form of education that is important is the fiqh of disasters. There must be efforts to educate Muslims on aspects such as taharah (cleanliness or purification), performing ibadah (acts of worship) as well as muamalat (dealings or transactions) during a disaster. One such effort to enlighten and educate Muslims regarding the fiqh during a disaster was initiated by the Perlis Mufti Department in January 2022.
For Muslims, making the necessary preparations is a form of ikhtiyyar (endeavour) which is much encouraged in Islam. Islam teaches its believers that the resources given by Allah SWT must be used to mitigate the risk of disasters. Disaster preparedness is key to effective and efficient disaster management. To achieve this end, education plays a critical role in disaster preparedness.
It is pertinent that initiatives to educate the community on disasters from the fiqh and scientific aspects must not be taken lightly. For disaster management to be effective, the public must be well informed on the what, the why and the how of disasters. Disasters can strike when least expected, and the community must be well-equipped to face them, not just from the physical and infrastructural aspects but also mentally and spiritually. Hence, disaster education must take into account all these dimensions so that it can complement and contribute towards mitigation efforts to be undertaken.