Vulnerability and Livelihood Sustainability of the Rural Community: An investigation from Sustainable Livelihood Framework

This paper seeks to examine the level of vulnerability in economic activity and livelihood of a rural community in Penyabung sub-district, Mersing, Johor. In this study, the sustainable livelihood framework has been used as a guide. In line with this research framework, the sustainability of community livelihoods subjected to what extent they are in control of the following assets (capital): physical capital, social capital, financial capital, human capital and natural capital. Other determinants of the community levels of vulnerability and sustainability include external forces such as environmental stress, shock and trends resulting from human action, environmental change and government policy. The final section of this paper discusses various strategies undertaken at local and Institutional level in order to successfully improve the livelihood of the rural community.