Bridging the resource mobilization gap in tsunami preparedness: evidence from small-island communities in Ambon Bay, Indonesia

Purpose This study examines household-level tsunami preparedness in three coastal villages in Sirimau District, namely, Galala, Hative Kecil and Pandan Kasturi along Ambon Bay, Indonesia, an area highly exposed to seismic and tsunami hazards. The study aims to assess preparedness conditions and identify gaps in the capacity of households to mobilize resources during tsunami emergencies. Design/methodology/approach The study employs household survey data collected from 100 respondents. A composite preparedness index adapted from the LIPI, UNESCO and ISDR framework was used to evaluate preparedness across four dimensions consisting of disaster knowledge, emergency response planning, early warning systems and resource mobilization. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between resource mobilization and other preparedness dimensions. Findings The results show that communities demonstrate relatively strong levels of disaster knowledge, emergency planning and early warning awareness, all of which fall within the ready category. However, resource mobilization remains at the almost ready level, reflecting limitations in financial preparedness, uneven participation in evacuation drills, and restricted access to transportation during emergencies. These findings reveal a mobilization gap in which households possess basic preparedness knowledge but face constraints in translating that knowledge into effective response capacity. Originality/value By highlighting the role of resource mobilization as a critical component of tsunami preparedness, this study contributes new empirical insights into disaster resilience in archipelagic coastal settings and provides practical implications for strengthening preparedness strategies in tsunami exposed communities.