Disaster Resilience Through Social Capital Among Indonesian Migrant Workers in Taiwan

Mukhamad Zulianto; Dwi Herlindawati; Bambang Triyono; Nia Devita Sari; Damayanti Masduki

Authors

Mukhamad Zulianto National Dong Hwa University
Dwi Herlindawati Universitas Jember
Bambang Triyono Universitas Jenderal Soedirman
Nia Devita Sari Universitas Andalas
Damayanti Masduki Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta

Keywords:

migrant workers, disaster resilience, social capital, informal networks, Taiwan

Abstract

This study investigates how Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Taiwan cultivate disaster resilience through the mobilization of social capital, especially in contexts where formal institutional support is limited or absent. Employing an interpretive qualitative approach, the research is grounded in a case study that includes semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Findings indicate that bonding and bridging social capital developed through informal community ties, digital platforms, and shared religious and cultural practices serve as critical assets in disaster preparedness and response. These networks facilitate mutual aid, timely information exchange, and collective action. However, linking social capital remains weak, reflecting limited engagement with formal institutions and restricted access to public resources and legal protections. Informal leadership structures and culturally rooted coping strategies emerge as key elements in fostering grassroots resilience. Nonetheless, systemic challenges such as language barriers, precarious legal status, and digital exclusion hinder broader institutional integration. By centering the experiences and agency of IMWs, this study enriches the discourse on disaster governance and emphasizes the need for inclusive frameworks that recognize the capacities of migrant communities. It calls for the incorporation of community-based organizations into national disaster policies and recommends comparative studies across diverse migrant-receiving contexts to deepen understanding of transnational resilience dynamics.

Dimensions

References

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