Community Resilience to Floods in Southeast Asia: A Socio-Ecological Analysis of Determinants, Patterns, and Policy Implications

Abstract

Floods remain one of the most frequent and destructive natural hazards in Southeast Asia, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. This study examines the determinants and dimensions of community resilience in flood-prone regions of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, using a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 1,200), secondary disaster records, and regression analysis. Results reveal significant disparities in resilience across countries. Malaysia exhibited the strongest performance in social and institutional resilience, while the Philippines scored the lowest across economic and environmental domains. Regression findings identified flood exposure as the strongest negative determinant of resilience, whereas education, social networks, and institutional support emerged as critical positive predictors. The study highlights the multidimensional nature of resilience, spanning social, economic, institutional, and environmental dimensions, and underscores the need for integrated strategies that address structural vulnerabilities while enhancing community-based capacities. By situating the findings within broader debates on resilience measurement, the paper provides evidence-based insights to inform disaster preparedness, governance reforms, and adaptive capacity-building in Southeast Asia.