A disaster is an event—whether natural or human-made, sudden or prolonged—that disrupts Disasters may be natural or human-made, sudden or prolonged. In the aftermath of such events, societies attempt to preserve individuals’ lived experiences and coping practices. Cultural memory plays a significant role in shaping how people respond to disasters, engage in coping strategies, and accept relief assistance. The city of Sarpol-e Zahab has experienced two major disasters: a human-made disaster, the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), and a natural disaster, the 2017 earthquake. Since relatively few studies have examined the role of cultural memory in reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience, further research in this area is essential.This study addresses questions such as: What forms do the tangible and intangible cultural memories of the war and the earthquake take among the people of Sarpol-e Zahab? To what extent have these memories functioned as resources for strengthening resilience and facilitating recovery? The aim of this research is to examine the role of cultural memory in disaster response through the lived experiences of the people of Sarpol-e Zahab, using a phenomenological approach.Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 individuals who had experienced both the war and the earthquake and who were selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed by identifying significant statements and clustering them into thematic categories. The findings indicate that the cultural memory of the war had a direct influence on how the people of Sarpol-e Zahab responded to the earthquake, increasing their level of resilience. For these individuals, the cultural memory of war functioned as a resource that enabled them to demonstrate greater adaptability and to complete the recovery and reconstruction process more rapidly after the earthquake. The study concludes that cultural memory can serve as a valuable resource for reducing vulnerability and improving the management of future disasters.