Bandung, 2024 — The Library and Information Science Study Program conducted research which confirmed that disaster education and the use of social media play a significant role in improving the disaster preparedness of coastal communities, particularly in Masawah Village, Cimerak District, Pangandaran Regency.
The research, conducted by Falih Ijlal Septian, Edwin Rizal, Ute Lies Siti Khadijah, and Rully Khairul Anwar, surveyed 100 respondents using a quantitative approach. Findings reveal that both disaster education and the use of platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok significantly enhance individuals’ intentions and actual readiness to face natural hazards.
The study further identifies intention as a key mediator linking education and social media use to real preparedness actions. This indicates that better knowledge and stronger motivation directly improve community resilience against disasters.
These results align with SDG 4 (Quality Education), as disaster education provides essential literacy to strengthen community capacity. They also contribute to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by fostering preparedness among coastal populations who are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as floods, erosion, and tsunamis.
The researchers recommend integrating practical training, simulations, and active community involvement into disaster education, while leveraging social media campaigns with creative content to effectively reach wider and younger audiences.
Through collaboration among academics, policymakers, and local communities, this disaster education model combined with social media engagement can be scaled to other disaster-prone regions in Indonesia, offering a strategic pathway toward greater resilience in the face of climate crises.
Full article available at: http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250123135145_8258.pdf
Writers: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena Firdaus, Shelpi Nur Awaliyah
