13.3.3 Co-operative planning for climate change disasters

Srinakharinwirot University demonstrates a comprehensive and collaborative approach to planning for climate-related disasters, particularly flooding, by integrating academic expertise with institutional practice. At the academic level, researchers from the Institute of Research in Behavioral Science have designed and implemented flood-disaster preparedness programmes for civil defence volunteers in flood-prone communities, working directly with local volunteers and authorities to co-develop advance flood plans, evacuation procedures and community-level preparedness behaviours. This work is reinforced by broader scholarship in political science and the social sciences, which engages with national and local agencies on disaster governance and disaster inequality, thereby informing public policy discussions and local planning for more resilient communities. Institutionally, the university has established formal welfare and emergency scholarship schemes for staff and students affected by officially declared disasters, particularly floods, with clear procedures that require verification from provincial and local administrative authorities. These schemes embed disaster response and educational continuity into routine university planning processes and ensure coordinated action between the university, public bodies and affected individuals. Taken together, the combination of community-engaged research, co-designed preparedness programmes and structured support mechanisms demonstrates that Srinakharinwirot University moves beyond theoretical analysis of climate-related disasters to active, co-operative planning and preparedness in partnership with local actors and relevant public agencies.

Scholarship for SWU Students Affected by Flooding

Srinakharinwirot University announces the provision of scholarships to support undergraduate students whose households are located in flood-affected areas and who have suffered hardship and damage as a result. Eligible students may apply for this flood relief scholarship from now onwards by submitting their intention through the faculty/college to which they belong.

✨ Eligibility criteria for the scholarship for students affected by flooding

1. The applicant must be an undergraduate student enrolled in Semester 1/2024 (1/2567).

2. The applicant must be financially disadvantaged; that is, the family home or source of livelihood (e.g. orchard, rice field, farm, shop) has been affected by flooding to the extent that it impacts the student’s educational expenses.

✨ Required documents for the scholarship application

1. The University’s application form for assistance in cases of disaster (flood, fire, storm).

2. An application form or official certification from a government agency stating that the student is a disaster victim.

3. A copy of the government officer ID card of the certifying official.

4. A copy of the student’s national ID card (the address must correspond to the certification issued by the government agency or the actual disaster-affected area).

5. A copy of the household registration (the address must correspond to the certification issued by the government agency or the actual disaster-affected area).

6. A copy of the student ID card.

7. A copy of the first page of the student’s Siam Commercial Bank account book.

8. Photographs showing the damage caused by the disaster.

📍 Submission of application for student welfare scholarship assistance
All documents must be submitted to the Student Affairs Office of the faculty/college to which the student belongs,
🗓️ by 31 October 2024 (31 October 2567).

Source: Scholarship for Srinakharinwirot University students affected by flooding

Assistance for Staff Affected by Natural Disasters
(Up to 20,000 Baht per disaster incident)

Criteria and Conditions

1. The incident must be a severe natural disaster that has caused damage to property and adversely affected living conditions and livelihood, and is considered an extraordinary and occasional event.

2. Assistance is provided to university employees who hold ownership of the damaged house, or to employees whose parents, spouse or siblings are the legal owners of the damaged house, provided that the employee actually resides in that house or is listed as a “resident” in the household registration.

3. The amount of financial assistance shall be determined in accordance with the resolutions of the University Welfare Executive Committee.

Required Documents

1. A copy of the staff member’s national identification card.

2. A copy of the staff member’s household registration showing their name in the household that has been affected by the disaster.

3. A copy of the provincial announcement declaring the disaster area.

4. A certification letter confirming that the staff member has been affected by the disaster, issued by a village headman, subdistrict headman, President of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Mayor, District Director or equivalent local authority.

5. A copy of the identification card of the person who issued the disaster certification letter.

6. Photographs of the house that has been affected by the disaster.

Source: https://hr.op.swu.ac.th/welfare-and-benefits

Institute of Research in Behavioral Science have designed and implemented flood-disaster preparedness programmes for civil defence volunteers in flood-prone communities

Srinakharinwirot University, through the Institute of Research in Behavioral Science, conducted a study on the causal factors influencing flood-disaster preparedness behaviour among civil defence volunteers in Phetchaburi Province, using a sample of 340 participants. The study employed a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to examine relationships between past flood experience, self-efficacy, risk perception, attitudes, social support and media exposure, and their effects on preparedness behaviour. The results indicated that the proposed model was consistent with the empirical data, and that the causal variables collectively explained a high proportion of the variance in preparedness behaviour, approaching ninety percent. In particular, self-efficacy and risk perception exerted a direct positive influence on preparedness, whereas extensive prior experience of flooding could lead to habituation and a reduction in preparedness levels. In addition, self-efficacy and positive attitudes toward preparedness were found to have indirect effects on behaviour through risk perception. The study therefore recommends that capacity-building for civil defence volunteers should focus on strengthening self-confidence, enhancing risk awareness, fostering positive attitudes toward preparedness, and organising training and simulation exercises in combination with ongoing social support, in order to improve their effectiveness in responding to flood disasters.

Source: Co-operative planning for climate change disasters