ENHANCING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PREPAREDNESS IN DISASTER RISK COMMUNICATION IN PERMAI PENANG - MALAYSIA

Abstract

The rising frequency and impact of natural disasters underscore the need for effective disaster risk communication, especially in vulnerable communities like PERMAI, Penang, Malaysia. This service program aims to enhance community resilience through disaster communication training. Methods include workshops, outreach, and distribution of educational materials such as brochures and digital content. A local communication network was established to support emergency information dissemination. Results indicate increased public understanding of disaster risks, a rise in trained individuals, and the emergence of local leaders as disaster communication ambassadors. The program effectively fostered awareness, preparedness, and collaborative networks to build a more resilient PERMAI community.