From Medan to Kediri, When Marginalized Communities Meet the Policymakers in a Virtual Room
To address the critical needs for two-way communication on COVID-19 mitigation between the policymakers and the vulnerable groups, LeaN On by INVEST DM invited the representatives of the national and regional Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB and BPBD) to meet and discuss with the representatives of vulnerable groups in a series of virtual talk shows. Through the virtual rooms, people with disabilities and other vulnerable community members represented by LeaN On by INVEST DM caseworkers conveyed their aspirations on inclusive disaster risk communication and management strategies.
The mini talk shows were held on October 27, 2020, which coincided with the commemoration of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) month, and on November 10, 2020. In addition to bridging the communication between policymakers and vulnerable groups, this activity also marked the inauguration of 500+ LeaN On by INVEST DM caseworkers who are assigned to reach 165 thousand people with disabilities and other vulnerable community members in Medan, Jabodetabek, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Solo, Surabaya, Kediri and greater areas.
Talk Show 1: LeaN On Each Other: Reaching Vulnerable Groups in Community-Based Social Restrictions
The first mini talk show invited several speakers, including Dr. Ir. Agus Wibowo, M.Sc. — the Director of Disaster Management Strategy Development (PSPB) BNPB, Mr. Ebet Nugraha — the Head of Preparedness at BPBD Jawa Barat, Mr. Arjuna Sembiring — the Head of BPBD Kota Medan, and Mr. Dian Rudianto — the Head of Disaster Management at DKPB Kota Bandung. The lineup was joined by Ms. Nicky Clara from ThisAble Foundation and Mr. Ferry Suranto from Human Initiative as the representatives of LeaN On by INVEST DM partners, as well as Ms. Siti Mazumah from LBH APIK, who was representing MAJu’s partners.
In this session, the Director of PSPB, Mr. Agus Wibowo, elaborated the penta-helix approach used by BNPB as the benchmark in developing disaster management policies and strategies in Indonesia. He acknowledged that in implementing community engagement as one of the five pillars of penta-helix approach, BNPB should have involved more marginalized groups. Thus, he appreciated the role taken by LeaN On by INVEST DM, which targets the outreach of 165 thousand people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in seven regions in Indonesia, as part of a holistic, integrated, and multi-perspective disaster management effort as mandated in BNPB regulation N0.4–2019.
The expositions from the Director of PSPB BNPB and BPBD’s representatives were warmly welcomed by LeaN On by INVEST DM partners, including ThisAble Foundation and the Human Initiative that were representing the target groups. Furthermore, the two partner organizations expressed their wish to be actively involved in the development of an inclusive disaster management strategy with BNPB and BPBD.
The session was also enriched by a presentation from LBH APIK which highlighted the challenges and social dynamics faced by vulnerable groups during the pandemic, as well as the assistance that has been and is being carried out. The presentation was further complemented by a summary of support expected from the government, particularly BNPB, regarding gender mainstreaming and protection of vulnerable groups in disaster management, as mandated in the Regulation of the Head of BNPB №13–2014.
Talk Show 2: “Nothing About Us Without Us: Inclusive Disaster Risk-Communication”
In the second talk show, we invited Dr. Ir. Udrekh, M.Sc. — the Director of Disaster Management System (SPB) BNPB, Mr. Dadang Iqwandy — the Head Prevention at BPBD Jawa Timur, Mr. Ligik Triyogo — the Director of Mitra Alam Surakarta Foundation (YMA) and Ms. Ratna Dewi Setyaningsih who represented LeaN On by INVEST DM caseworkers as well as the Association of Women with Disabilities ( HWDI), Yogyakarta. This second event was held under the theme Nothing About Us Without Us: Inclusive Disaster Risk Communication.
The Director of SPB BNPB and the representatives of BPBD Jawa Timur used the opportunity to explain the efforts that have been made in regards to inclusive disaster risk-communication, including the launching of InaRISK Personal application; the official disaster risk-communication app in Indonesia. InaRISK Personal is expected to be further developed with more inclusive features so that it can become part of the daily life of all Indonesians to be more disaster-resilient.
The representatives for LeaN On by INVEST DM partners and caseworkers, Mr. Lilik and Ms. Ratna, appreciated the efforts made by BNPB and BPBD in realizing inclusive disaster management, both through the development of the InaRISK Personal application and the involvement of people with disabilities in various disaster response training. However, they also further encouraged BNPB and BPBD to engage a broader community; includes other vulnerable groups. More importantly, the representatives also emphasized the need for BNPB and BPBD to actively and consistently involve people with disabilities and other marginalized groups in developing policies and strategies for disaster management so that they become more inclusive and effective.
The Director of SPB BNPB and the representatives of BPBD welcomed this input and summarized the discussion on two points: the importance of (1) involvement and (2) facilitation for more inclusive disaster risk-communication and management.
The mini talk show series which was conducted in a virtual room with limited time turned out to be quite effective in bridging the communication between BNPB and BPBD as the policymakers and the representatives of vulnerable communities. Thus, it is expected that the voice of the vulnerable people contributes to a more inclusive disaster risk management and communication strategy in Indonesia. Besides, this mini talk show series is also expected to strengthen the cooperation between BPBD and Satgas COVID-19 and the LeaN On by INVEST DM caseworkers in the seven program areas. This activity was attended by more than 600 participants from various regions in Indonesia including LeaN On by INVEST DM caseworkers, representatives from BPBD, Social Services, and Health Services from provincial and district/city levels.
LeaN On by INVEST DM is an inclusive RCCE program that aims to provide access to risk information and education on COVID-19 prevention, including information on available social protection services, for 165 thousand people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in seven regions in Indonesia. This program is supported by the American people through USAID, and in partnership with BNPB, Kemenkumham, MAJu (The Asia Foundation) and a consortium of partners consisting of Mercy Corps Indonesia, ASB, ThisAble, Human Initiative and AtmaConnect.
