Flood Disaster in Malaysia: Gender Sensitive Humanitarian Aid?

Climate change phenomena has brought frequent flood to Malaysia. It has constantly affected almost one fifth of the population every year. Numerous researches outside of Malaysia have shown that women are more susceptible to the impact of climate change than men, due to their caretaking role, motherhood nature and cultural constrain. However in Malaysia, disaster relief measures at all stages, from prevention to recovery, are often generalized without specific concern to address women’s predicament. Hence the objective of this study is to examine the humanitarian aid received by female flood victims. Data with regards to victims’ experience is collected by way of semi-structured interview. Their encounter is further verified by physical inspection at flood relief centers. Data analysis applied the template analysis and field observation approach. Findings revealed that female flood victim receive adequate food supply during the flood. There is minimal evidence of female biological need being addressed by including female sanitation product in aid package. This effort is still at its infancy. However, living condition at the flood relief center lack hygiene and are insensitive to practical gender needs.