Since 2022, ADRA has been implementing an anticipatory action program known as Forecast-based Financing for Anticipatory Action (FFACT) in four districts: Kupang District (East Nusa Tenggara Province or NTT), Bima District (West Nusa Tenggara Province or NTB), Sigi District (Central Sulawesi Province), and Pandeglang District (Banten Province). These districts are recognized as disaster-prone areas. The 2022 BNPB disaster risk study indicated that Pandeglang and Kupang Districts are at high risk of disasters, while Sigi and Bima Districts are at a moderate risk.
Funded by ADRA Germany and Aktion Deutschland Hilf, this program has three main objectives:
Raise public awareness of early warnings for early action, connecting key stakeholders, including essential service providers at the regional level, with an effective early warning system.Facilitate the development of protocols and policies to support anticipatory actions and the possible activation of emergency warnings at the sub-national level, tested through real-event scenarios.Participate in the regional early warning system process to activate emergency warnings and capture lessons learned, which will be promoted through the global ADRA network and other platforms.Community engagement is a crucial component of this program, emphasizing communication of disaster risks to the community and the broader public, specifically focusing on early warning systems and early anticipatory actions.
The dissemination aims to present findings from a study on risk communication and community engagement conducted by ADRA in these four districts. It provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects, including:
- How risk communication is practiced in early warning and disaster anticipation systems.
- The appropriate communication channels and media for conveying disaster risks.
- Identifying the roles and contributions of communities in disseminating messages about disaster risks.
- Identifying forms of institutionalization of risk communication, including support for existing policies or regulations.
- Identifying gaps in disaster risk communication delivery and options to address these gaps.
- Describing disaster risk communication materials from the perspective of special-needs groups.
Objectives of Dissemination:
The dissemination aims to:
- Present findings from the risk communication study applied to anticipate various disaster risks and involve communities in implementing risk communication strategies.
- Provide a holistic overview of various aspects, including risk communication practices, channels, community roles, institutional forms, identified gaps, and communication materials for specific groups.
Speakers:
The event invited representatives from government and non-government sectors, including:
- Nelwan Harahap, Deputy Assistant for Emergency and Post-Disaster Management, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs.
- Bambang Surya Putra, Head of the Disaster Management Operations Control Center, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
- Avianto Amri, Team Leader of the Study, PREDIKT.
- Pangarso Suryotomo, Director of Preparedness, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
- D. Karlo Purba, Program Director, ADRA Indonesia.
- Ida Pramuwardani, Public Media Center, Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
- Hedrianus Edi Handoko Budi, Representative of the Anticipatory Action Working Group (UN OCHA).
- Junito Drias, Representative of the RCCE Working Group (World Vision Indonesia).
Participants:
A total of 75 participants attended, comprising 45 males and 30 females. The participants were from government and non-government representatives at the national, provincial, and district levels.
Dissemination Activities:
Opening and Welcoming Remarks:
Welcome remarks from the Country Director of ADRA Indonesia, emphasizing the crucial link between risk communication, community engagement, and livelihoods.
Bambang Surya Putra, M.Kom., Head of the Disaster Management Operations Control Center at BNPB, highlighted the significant progress in risk communication in Indonesia, driven by advancements in social, technological, and political dynamics. He emphasized the need for effective risk communication to reach various regions and improve literacy.
Ir. Nelwan Harahap, M.Tr.Ap., Deputy Assistant for Emergency and Post-Disaster Management at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs, emphasized the government’s crucial role in providing clear and accurate risk information to the public, facilitating open and inclusive dialogue, and promoting shared responsibility.
First Session: Presentation of Findings and Responses:
Dr. Avianto Amri, Team Leader of the Study at PREDIKT, presented key findings, revealing challenges such as difficulty in delivering risk communication to vulnerable groups, technical complexity of information, and the need for inclusive communication strategies.
Responses from Pangarso Suryotomo (BNPB), Dr. Ida Pramuwardani (BMKG), Hadrianus Edi Handoko Budi (UN OCHA), and Junito Drias (World Vision Indonesia) highlighted challenges, opportunities, and the importance of adapting communication to local contexts.
Second Session: Group Discussion – Recommendations for Anticipatory Action:
Three groups discussed existing practices and recommendations for anticipatory actions and risk communication. They emphasized the importance of localized approaches, community involvement, and the integration of risk communication into national and regional planning.
Recommendations included the formation of a risk communication focal point, inclusion in national development plans, adopting participatory rural appraisal, and developing strategies for diverse local contexts.
Responses and Closing:
Junito Drias emphasized the importance of a rights-based approach in risk communication, considering each individual’s right to clear and accessible information. He highlighted the need for inclusive, participatory communication that empowers communities.
ADRA Indonesia emphasized the shared responsibility for disaster management, the challenge of translating technical language into more accessible forms, and the importance of simple, low-cost early warning systems.
Dr. Avianto Amri concluded by highlighting the relatively new status of risk communication, its parallel development with early warnings, and the need for a collaborative effort to establish frameworks for anticipatory action and risk communication.
In summary, the dissemination event provided valuable insights, identified challenges, and proposed recommendations to enhance risk communication and community engagement in the context of ADRA Indonesia’s anticipatory action program.
