Disaster Policy Formulation Requires Knowledge Alignment

Evidence-based policies are crucial in disaster management and climate change to ensure targeted and effective solutions. To achieve this, aligning knowledge among stakeholders in these fields is necessary, fostering a collective understanding that drives relevant policies.

To promote this knowledge alignment, the SIAP SIAGA Program hosted the Garda SIAGA Policy Bootcamp from 2–5 December 2024 at the Vertu Harmoni Hotel, Jakarta. The event, held in collaboration with Think Policy, gathered 26 participants from national and regional government bodies, program implementing partners, and representatives from four provinces within the SIAP SIAGA Program’s work areas—East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Participants included members of the Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB), community organisations, academics, and the media.

The opening session featured remarks from distinguished guests, including the First Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs of the Australian Embassy, Catherine Meehan; Senior Expert Disaster Analyst of the Directorate of Disaster Management Strategy Development at BNPB, Pratomo Cahyo Nugroho; Think Policy founder, Andhyta Firselly Utami; and SIAP SIAGA Program Team Leader, Lucy Dickinson.

In her address, Catherine Meehan highlighted that knowledge exchange is vital for innovation and shared learning in disaster risk reduction (DRR). “This is a key focus of the Australian Government’s collaboration with Indonesia in disaster management programs. This meeting aims to strengthen networks and support the development of inclusive, resilient communities. By prioritising inclusive disaster risk management, we foster sustainable DRR goals,” she said.

Echoing Meehan’s sentiments, Pratomo emphasised BNPB’s commitment to an inclusive approach, regularly engaging stakeholders to share knowledge and experiences. “Through collaboration and innovation, the Indonesian Government strives to achieve sustainable resilience that not only protects but also empowers communities to face future disasters,” he stated.

Lucy Dickinson explained that the Garda SIAGA Policy Bootcamp aimed to foster the development of strategic action plans and create a platform for generating innovative ideas through collaboration. “An agile and inclusive approach is essential to address the growing complexity of risks posed by climate change,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Andhyta Firselly Utami underscored the importance of mapping local resources for disaster management, advocating for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to produce sustainable, field-relevant solutions. “Identifying and mapping local resources is vital to reduce reliance on external assistance and expedite disaster responses. Building trust and communication among stakeholders is equally critical,” she said.

Expert talks

The bootcamp featured a series of workshops comprising three core activities: Expert Discussions, Peer-to-Peer Learning, and Action Plan Development. The Expert Discussions were divided into three sessions, each tackling key aspects of disaster management.

The first session, “Integrating Disaster Risk Management into Planning and Budgeting”, featured Juliet Willetts from the University of Technology Sydney and Rusmanto, a First Planner at the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas). Willetts emphasised the critical role of clean water in enhancing community resilience to climate change. She noted that over 34% of rural water systems in Indonesia are highly vulnerable without proper mitigation measures. “Immediate action is required to integrate disaster risk management into clean water planning and budgeting, with a focus on preparedness, funding access, climate risk monitoring, and resilience-based planning,” she said.

Rusmanto addressed Indonesia’s predominantly reactive disaster management approach, particularly for hydrometeorological disasters. Despite existing regulations on financing and spatial planning, he highlighted the challenge of transitioning from reactive to preventive disaster management. “This paradigm shift demands political will, sufficient funding, and multi-stakeholder engagement,” he explained.

The second session, “Operationalising the Conceptual Framework of Sustainable Resilience”, focused on converging DRR, climate change adaptation, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Jeong Park, Disaster Risk Reduction Adviser for the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership, and Raditya Jati, Deputy for Systems and Strategy at BNPB, shared insights.

Jeong Park stressed the importance of integrating climate change into Indonesia’s disaster risk management strategy through prevention, mitigation, and adaptation. He highlighted initiatives such as climate-resilient infrastructure, climate literacy curricula, and eco-friendly humanitarian programs. “Collaboration across development, humanitarian, and disaster risk management sectors is key to reducing vulnerability, supported by effective communication that all stakeholders can understand,” he said.

Raditya Jati reinforced the need for cross-sector integration and a holistic approach to achieve sustainable resilience. He acknowledged the challenges of fragmented frameworks and political cycles, which hinder systemic strategies. “Bridging sectoral divides and fostering long-term investments are essential, alongside disaster literacy and localised resilience-building efforts,” he added.

The third session, “Gender Equality Governance, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)”, featured Connie Susilawati, Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, and Lutri Huriyani, a Gender Specialist in the SIAP SIAGA Program. Susilawati shared findings from a comparative study of flood-affected areas in Lismore, Australia, and Surabaya, Indonesia, revealing low public awareness of vulnerable group support. She recommended increasing disaster literacy, consulting communities, integrating local wisdom, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Lutri Huriyani discussed cultural resistance and fragmented regulations as barriers to effective disaster management. She called for harmonising regulations, compiling disaggregated data for evidence-based decisions, and implementing monitoring tools with GEDSI indicators to ensure access, participation, and benefits for vulnerable groups. “Inclusive strategies must engage vulnerable groups both in decision-making and knowledge-sharing to ensure sustainability and effectiveness,” she said.

Action plan

The next phase, Peer-to-Peer Learning, aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of challenges, opportunities, and collaboration strategies. Divided into three thematic sessions—”Building Effectiveness in Achieving Minimum Service Standards for Disaster Sub-Affairs (SPM-SUB)”, “Strengthening Meaningful Involvement of Risk Groups in Disaster Risk Management”, and “Strengthening Village-Based Local Resilience”—participants developed collective action plans aligned with national and regional development plans such as RPJMN and RPJMD.

Finally, participants formulated an Action Plan, focusing on short-term implementation (3–5 years). This process aimed to align participants’ understanding of opportunities and challenges in disaster risk governance while enhancing their capacity to advocate for policies tailored to local needs.

Through this comprehensive program, the Garda SIAGA Policy Bootcamp successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, encouraged collaboration, and empowered participants to drive inclusive and sustainable disaster management policies.