Strengthening community preparedness through participatory evacuation mapping in tsunami-prone regions: A case study of disaster resilient villages in Padang, Indonesia

Padang, a coastal city along the Indian Ocean with a 68.126 km coastline, is highly vulnerable to tsunamis. Following the 2004 Aceh earthquake and tsunami, concerns have grown due to Padang’s history of similar events in 1797 and 1833, as well as the threat posed by the Mentawai megathrust. Developing evacuation maps in tsunami-resilient villages is a crucial disaster risk reduction effort. These maps help communities identify safe routes, enhance preparedness, and minimize vulnerability in line with the national Disaster Resilient Villages program, which the Padang City Government supports. The initiative in Teluk Buo and Air Tawar Barat aims to establish an integrated preparedness system that involves communities, the government, educational institutions, and NGOs. Using a participatory approach, the process includes coordination, risk identification, data-based mapping, training, and evacuation drills. Regular evaluation and updates ensure the maps’ effectiveness. This approach strengthens multi-stakeholder collaboration, improves community readiness, and reduces disaster risk in vulnerable coastal areas.