The Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) officially launched the Makmal Hidup Bencana Alam Melangkap (MaHBAM) in Kota Belud, Sabah, during the recent Bengkel Penubuhan Task Force Bencana Alam Melangkap (TFBAM) workshop.

The establishment of MaHBAM aims to achieve five main objectives, which is to build disaster-resilient communities through strengthening the capacity of Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM); empower community resilience and preparedness through disaster education and training; conduct research and disaster monitoring in Melangkap; implement science and technology in disaster risk reduction; and establish close collaboration with the community and stakeholders in disaster management.

At the official launch of MaHBAM, UMS Faculty of Science and Natural Resources (FSSA) Dean, Professor Dr. Jualang Azlan Gansau, emphasized that the lab would assist NDRC researchers in transferring disaster management knowledge to local communities.

“The lab will also channel the expertise of NDRC for conducting research in this area,” he said. “We hope this initiative will help the community adapt to disasters by finding the best solutions to save lives in case of emergencies.”

The launch was witnessed by Kota Belud Assistant District Officer, Winnie Anggon, and NDRC UMS Director, Associate Professor Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus.

Dr. Carolyn explained that the establishment of MaHBAM was in response to a request from the Melangkap Baru village community, represented by the village head, Somboton Gunsalahon.

“The community hopes that NDRC UMS, along with relevant agencies, can assist them in disaster management efforts in the Melangkap area,” she said.

MaHBAM is the first living lab in UMS and the second in Sabah, following the Resilience Living Lab Kundasang launched by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, last year, which focuses on community-driven disaster risk management.

Additionally, NDRC UMS has established the Task Force Bencana Alam Melangkap as part of MaHBAM’s activities. Dr. Carolyn noted that this task force is the first of its kind in Sabah, proposed by the community in collaboration with the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and the Civil Defence Force (APM).