Understanding Community Resilience through Social Capital: A Qualitative Study of the 2024 Flood Disaster in an Inland Area

Abstract

Communities in Malaysia’s inland regions remain highly vulnerable to recurring flood disasters, yet empirical understanding of how their internal social systems foster resilience is limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the role of social capital in shaping community resilience during the 2024 flood in Hulu Dungun, Terengganu, one of the most severely affected inland areas. Using a qualitative case study approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 residents selected through purposive sampling to explore their lived experiences, coping strategies and mobilisation of social networks throughout the disaster. Findings reveal that social capital serves as a pivotal mechanism enabling communities to withstand, adapt to and recover from flood impacts. Bonding capital provided immediate emotional support, shared labour and rapid neighbourhood level mobilisation. Bridging capital facilitated access to volunteers, inter village assistance and diversified external resources, while linking capital supported residents in navigating institutional aid, accessing early warning information and engaging with formal recovery programs. The interplay of these three dimensions demonstrates how social relationships form an integrative foundation for adaptive capacity and sustained recovery in vulnerable inland communities. The study underscores the importance of disaster governance, community planning and resilience building frameworks that prioritise the strengthening of social capital as a core component of flood management strategies.