MBMB, Zurich Malaysia, Z Zurich Foundation, and Resilient Cities Network collaboration to strengthen community climate resilience

– The Mayor of Melaka, Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB) announced the communities selected for the Resilience for Communities (R4C) program. Resilience for Communities is a new initiative under the Urban Climate Resilience Program supported by Z Zurich Foundation to strengthen the resilience of communities in Melaka against climate related disasters including floods and extreme heat. Melaka is among a group of eleven cities in nine countries participating in this global program.

The announcement was made with joint partners from Zurich Malaysia, Z Zurich Foundation and Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities). The selection process marks the first step communities have taken in this 3-year program engaging with the local government.

“Being a historic city with UNESCO World Heritage status, we recognise the importance of building community resilience to carry our cultural heritage forward in the face of climate challenges. Thus, it is with great enthusiasm that the City of Melaka is joining the new Resilience for Communities program. I look forward to working closely with Zurich Malaysia, Z Zurich Foundation and R-Cities to create a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities, our city, and our country,” said YBhg Datuk Hj. Shadan Hj. Othman, Melaka Mayor.

Through the R4C program, the communities of Kampung Morten and Pantai Peringgit will each receive funding from the Z Zurich Foundation to implement projects that enhance their resilience to floods and heatwaves. The selection of these communities took into consideration factors such as their exposure to climate hazards, the socio-economic challenges they face, the presence of active communities in the area and the current level of support they receive from the local government and other local organisations.

Using the Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities (CRMC) tool will lead to the clear identification of priority actions in the selected communities. The tool was developed by Z Zurich Foundation and Zurich Insurance, alongside the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, through more than a decade of climate resilience work in communities across the world. “Building resilience in urban communities is dependent not only on local action but on the systems which impact those communities. By working directly through our partners with the local authorities, we aim to influence the ways in which systems can be adapted to better support vulnerable communities," said David Nash, Head of Adaptation to Climate Change, Z Zurich Foundation.

Zurich Malaysia aims to take a leading role in driving impactful changes in the adaptation of systems in selected cities in Malaysia, ensuring enhanced support for vulnerable communities, “We are thrilled to launch the Resilience for Communities program in Melaka and look forward to a meaningful three-year collaboration that aligns with Zurich’s sustainability ambitions as well as the core of our ‘Care For What Matters’ brand campaign,” said Junior Cho, Country CEO/Head of Zurich Malaysia.

The R4C program will actively listen and engage with the residents of Kampung Morten and Pantai Peringgit to identify their specific needs that can help them become more resilient. Together with MBMB, the communities will select and implement the solutions that will help them better prepare and equip themselves for climate emergencies. On the other hand, the R-Cities will help identify resilience gaps, guide the engagement and participatory process, lead project development, and support the implementation of pilot programs. By understanding how communities perceive risks and the barriers they face, MBMB can better help local communities become more resilient.

The implementation team started engaging with the community leaders and members in the last month. “We are on the ground, listening to the communities,” said Katrin Bruebach, Global Director of Programs and Operations at Resilient Cities Network. “In the next 3 years, we will amplify their voices, collectively assess priorities and, most importantly, implement co-produced solutions that will enhance Melaka’s resilience,” she added.

Kampung Morten is a Malay heritage village gazetted under the Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Enactment 1988 (Enactment No. 6 of 1988). Recently, this village has been exposed to flood disasters and the authorities remain committed to continuing to preserve heritage assets that are in the midst of rapid urban development. Meanwhile, Pantai Peringgit is an area exposed to the risk of flooding and this community takes various initiatives to improve homes and neighborhoods.

The R4C Champion representing various departments at MBMB has been identified as having a role to support throughout the implementation of this community and climate resilience initiative. Furthermore, this champion will be the main pillar in channelling information and be responsible for formulating potential solutions for these two locations.

Through this implementation, the Melaka Urban Resilience Unit, MBMB also plays a strategic role to ensure that collaboration with partners through this program can be seen comprehensively in terms of technical aspects, planning and appropriate methods in line with the program's goal to increase resilience in among the community, especially the citizens of the city.