This paper examines protective factors and copingCoping strategies among survivors of the 2004 tsunami2004 tsunami in AlappadAlappad Panchayat, KeralaKerala, India. In an earlier study with residents from coastal communitiesCoastal communities in Alappad Panchayat, those in more severely affected areas continued to experience higher traumatic stressTraumatic stress and psychological distress levels two and a half years after the tsunamiTsunami. Perceived social supportSocial support was linked to lower traumatic stressTraumatic stress and psychological distress, while avoidance coping was associated with lower traumatic stressTraumatic stress. A 2019 follow-up study focused on women’sWomen psychological coping strategies, identifying copingCoping mechanisms such as seeking emotional and practical support from others, emotional release through crying, engaging in prayer and religious practices, and using distraction. The research underscored the importance of social support networks and community strategies, mainly through women’s self-help groupsSelf-Help Groups (SHG) that provided essential emotional and financial assistance. Based on these findings, several disaster response strategies are recommended: maintaining extended family units during evacuationEvacuation and relocation, relocating communitiesCommunities as whole units when necessary, strengthening community bonds through group activities, supporting women’s self-help groups for microfinance and social supportSocial support, and providing basic psychosocial care through community-level workers. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of developing culturally informed disaster response strategies and policies that prioritize maintaining social supportSocial support networks and fostering community cohesion.