The increasing prevalence and intensity of water-related disasters, particularly flooding, present significant challenges for communities in the Global South, where inadequate institutional support and limited financial resources constrain effective preparedness, response, and recovery. This study underscores the need to move beyond short-term coping strategies toward Flood Community-Based Disaster Management (FCBDM), which emphasises participatory approaches and local knowledge to strengthen adaptive capacity and resilience. Drawing on fieldwork in Karonga and Nkhotakota districts, Malawi, the research employs a Choice Experiment (CE) to: (i) examine variations in community preferences for FCBDM strategies, (ii) estimate households’ marginal willingness to participate (MWTP) in adaptation initiatives, and (iii) construct an empirically grounded resilience framework based on adaptive capacity dimensions. Findings reveal strong support for initiatives such as mass media awareness, integration of local and scientific knowledge, access to financial risk management tools (loans and insurance), elevated food reserves, and improved data-sharing and communication systems. These preferences are most pronounced among lower-income households, disaster-informed individuals, larger families, and those engaged in civic education. Building on this evidence, the study proposes four adaptive, scenario-based pathways to strengthen FCBDM in resource-constrained contexts. It identifies bottom-up strategies for policymakers to promote inclusive, adaptive governance and long-term flood resilience under uncertainty. • Choice experiments were employed to uncover community flood resilience preferences using Random Parameter Logit models. • Latent Class Models identified distinct household groups exhibiting varying adaptive capacity and resilience priorities across contexts. • Strong community support emerged for mass media awareness, financial risk tools, and integration of local and scientific knowledge. • Household adaptive capacity was influenced by income, family size, civic engagement, and disaster awareness levels. • Scenario-based frameworks outlined inclusive and actionable pathways to strengthen community-based flood disaster management in Malawi and comparable contexts.
Msongole et al. (Sun,) studied this question.