Coastal regions are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels. Effective disaster management relies heavily on the involvement of local communities, yet this potential is often underutilized in disaster mitigation policies. This paper investigates the role of community strengths—local knowledge, self-organization, and traditional practices—in enhancing disaster resilience in coastal areas. A comprehensive literature review reveals that community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) initiatives, such as mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans, early warning systems in the Philippines, and the utilization of indigenous knowledge in Pacific Island nations, demonstrate significant positive outcomes in disaster preparedness and response. However, several barriers hinder effective community engagement, including funding limitations, infrastructural constraints, lack of technical knowledge, socio-political issues, and gender inequality. By examining successful case studies and identifying the barriers to community engagement, this paper provides insights into how local strengths can be integrated into formal disaster management frameworks. The findings have important policy implications for local, regional, and national governments, suggesting that greater emphasis on community involvement can lead to more resilient coastal communities.