Preparing KL’s Most Vulnerable Neighbourhoods For Climate Change
PPR Beringin, which houses 8,364 residents, was identified as one of the hottest zones in the city, and many of its residents are elderly, which makes them especially vulnerable to heatwaves and floods, Che Roziani Mohd Shariff, chairperson of the PPR Beringin residents’ committee, tells ESG.
Meanwhile, Kampung Pasir Baru, which has 1,339 residents, has infrastructure gaps that leave the community exposed to frequent flooding because of its proximity to Sungai Penchala, says Teresa Wong, chief risk officer of the general segment and head of sustainability risk at Zurich Malaysia. Households in these areas lack adequate savings for post-disaster recovery such as floods, which heightens their vulnerability.
Ultimately, ZZF’s approach is that prevention is the best form of protection, says Renand. “We look at the spectrum, from helping communities with a preventive approach to protect themselves and their assets before a catastrophe happens. Of course, it will not prevent a catastrophe from happening, but it will reduce the impact on people and communities [and ensure] there are preparedness and recovery efforts.”
