Increasing Community Resilience in Poorer Areas to Biological Hazards: Lesson Learned from Responding COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19, as a biological hazard, has underscored the necessity of enhancing the resilience of settlements, particularly in poorer areas that are vulnerable to disease spread. The pandemic reveals that homes serve not only as residences but also as productive spaces that require fortification against various risks, especially biological hazards that can recur over time. In the post-pandemic phase, it is vital to develop new policies that aim not only to alleviate poorer area conditions but also to enhance overall resilience. Utilizing the City Resilient Index (CRI), there is a pressing need to integrate health and well-being aspects to address future biological threats. This study employs descriptive analysis, WMS, correlation testing, and CFA with a random sample of 99 respondents from six urban villages in Surabaya. Results indicate that poorer areas in Surabaya possess a moderate resilience level (score of 2.74), with varying categories of resilience. Correlation analysis demonstrates a significant relationship between poorer area conditions and resilience (significance value of 0.042), revealing that higher levels of poorer area conditions correspond to lower resilience. Recommendations for enhancing resilience involve three phases: learning and adaptation, absorbing shock, and bouncing back, emphasizing improved health facilities, socialization, and disaster preparedness to ensure settlements more resilient and adapt to challenges.