4.3. Familiarisation with higher grounds and evacuation centres
One of the preparations that the Segambut squatter settlements' CBO made in order to address flooding
is to ensure that residents are familiar with the location of temporary shelters as well as places that are on
slightly higher ground within the communities. After experiencing a number of flood hazards and with
the guidance by the CBO, the squatter residents are already familiar with the measures that they should
take whenever floods occur; but they were also reminded to ensure that their neighbours were alerted as
well. This is an example of using the flood victims as valuable resources in risk communication and
disaster management; by empowering the people in order to help themselves (McEntire and Myers,
2004). In addition to empowering the flood victims, strong local support networks together with a
willingness to act collectively may have also increased the level of social resilience of these squatters.
The behaviour of these flood victims is an example of the marshalling of social capital with the
prevalence of collective action and evidence of social bonds that formed an important part of the
community’s adaptation as a response to environmental hazards, involving trust, reciprocity and common
objectives (Pelling, 2003).