Challenges in Crisis Management on Environmental Health

The Delivery of Environmental Health Services in Malaysia Series

Abstract

Malaysia's environmental health problems are primarily caused by air and water pollution, climate change, the depletion of ozone and solid waste management. Other than that, the management of toxic, chemical and hazardous waste are other factors which can cause environmental health problems. The Ministry of Health of Malaysia has aggressively promoted the agenda for environmental protection to the district, state, regional and international agencies. This article will address environmental health problems and the crisis management system including the challenges faced in Malaysia. There are three cases addressed in this article which are floods in Malaysia, transboundary haze in ASEAN region and pandemic Covid-19. Monsoon flood commonly happens at the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia hence has an instant effect to the community Malaysia faced flood disaster in 1926, 1967 and 1971. The flood destroyed the property, road networks, property and crops. The Kelantan flood in December 2014 is, however, the worst in modern history. The flood affected nearly 150,000 victims and set new records in Malaysian history for most flood victims.