HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS AMONG RURAL FIRE VICTIMS DURING POST-DISASTER RECOVERY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJLGC.1145011Keywords:
Healthy Living Environment, Land Tenure, Post-Disaster Recovery, Psychosocial Well-being, Rural Fire, Temporary HousingAbstract
This qualitative case study examines perceptions of healthy living conditions and recovery needs among rural fire victims following a village fire in Kampung Gok Kapur, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. The fire destroyed 27 houses and displaced affected households to temporary accommodation, including mosques, prayer halls, rented houses and relatives’ homes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 6 participants, supported by field observations and documentary records during the early post-disaster recovery phase. The findings indicate that adequate ventilation, access to clean water, sanitation, safety, privacy and emotional comfort were consistently perceived as essential characteristics of a Healthy Living Environment. Participants also reported disrupted sleep, emotional distress, uncertainty regarding permanent housing, and challenges associated with land ownership, financial constraints and reconstruction processes. Although community support, cash assistance, food aid, clothing and household necessities helped address immediate needs, long-term housing recovery remained the most pressing unmet need. Many participants were also unable to express detailed housing preferences because psychological shock and immediate survival concerns took precedence during the early recovery period. The study highlights the interrelationship between physical living conditions and psychosocial well-being in shaping post-disaster recovery experiences. Based on the findings, a Healthy Living Environment framework is proposed to illustrate key environmental and social considerations for temporary housing in rural post-disaster settings. The findings emphasise the importance of complementing emergency shelter provision with coordinated reconstruction planning, land tenure support and community-based recovery strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable recovery outcomes.
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