Transforming the Role of People with Disabilities in East Java

‘I have not experienced a major disaster directly. However, I heard stories from other friends with mental disabilities affected by disasters. One of the worst is the story from the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006, where many people with mental disabilities were left shackled in their homes. Therefore they were left behind by their own families and became victims of the earthquake’, explained Saiful Anam (usually called Anam), Head of East Java Mental Health Association.

This story provides some sense of how people with disabilities can suffer disproportionately when disasters occur. Without a unique risk mitigation and management process, vulnerable groups often have an increased risk of death and injury and may face greater challenges in recovering from disasters. The story emphasises how important it is to not only plan and respond with the needs of people with disabilities in mind but also to strengthen the role and participation of people with disabilities in disaster management.

With geographical conditions that include highlands, coasts, and densely populated urban areas, East Java Province is vulnerable to at least 14 types of disaster threats.

These risks are further compounded by climate change, which is driving an increased frequency and intensity of hydrometeorological disasters.  For example, when the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning of extreme weather (rain with heavy intensity and lightning) for 18 regions in East Java that occurred in early July 2024.

A lack of access to appropriate information for many people with disabilities could cause them to be less equipped to mitigate or prepare for risks associated with extreme weather, such as flooding or landslides.

Institutionalising the Participation of People with Disabilities                           

To address this issue, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in East Java has been working closely with a range of disability organisations (Opdis) to establish the Disaster Management Disability Service Unit (ULD-PB) in East Java. The ULD-PB was launched officially by the East Java Government on 25 June 2024 and is only the second of its type to be formally established in Indonesia.

The ULD-PB aims to provide services that address three main barriers to the fulfilment of people with disabilities’ rights and roles in disaster management.

Firstly, available data is not comprehensive, and, as such, the picture of various disabilities and their distribution in disaster-prone locations is not yet clear. Second, disability groups still lack active participation in disaster management due to the asymmetry of knowledge, skills, or expertise. Third, there is still a strong stigma against disability and a dearth of public services that support disability groups.

The establishment of East Java ULD-PB is the result of collaboration between the East Java BPBD and Opdisand is supported by the SIAP SIAGA Program.

Ancilla Bere, SIAP SIAGA Program Coordinator in East Java, explained that institutionally, ULD-PB is attached to the provincial BPBD and is part of the BPBD’s planning and implementation. The ULD-PB will help the BPBD to involve people with disabilities in the delivery of disaster management services.

Joko Widodo, Secretary of the Indonesian Association of Persons with Disabilities (PPDI) of East Java, explained that the institutionalisation of ULD-PB is necessary to make disability inclusion efforts more orderly and organised. ‘All this time, cooperation with people with disabilities has been limited to coordination meetings (rakor), and not all types of disabilities are represented. In the future, through ULD-PB, cooperation with and between the East Java BPBD and Opdis can be more organised and easier, said Joko.

Joko Widodo and Sulistyowati, who is the Head of the Indonesian Organisation for Women with Disabilities (HWDI) in East Java, explained that there are important factors that enable ULD-PB to be successfully established and institutionalised through the Decree of the Governor of East Java. The first is the existence of a strong Opdis network, which serves as its main foundation.  Secondly, there is a clearly defined division of duties, and thirdly, SIAP SIAGA was able to act as a convenor to build closer communication between organisations of people with disabilities in shaping the ULD-PB.   

Going forward, the East Java ULD-PB will provide services in 3 main areas: 1) disaggregated and integrated disability data management; 2) program studies and development and 3) inclusive disaster communication, information and education (KIE), including a referral system to be used in disaster situations.

Playing an Instrumental Role in Decision Making

The East Java ULD-PB was established with the goal of positioning people with disabilities as actors of change in promoting inclusive disaster management. This is reflected in the commitment of five Opdis in the ULD-PB team, who previously had no background in disaster management and are today the driving force of the ULD-PB in East Java.

According to Maskurun Yuyun, Head of the Regional Management Board (DPD) of the East Java Indonesian Association for the Welfare of the Deaf (Gerkatin or IAWD), before the ULD-PB was established, Opdisonly played a minimal role in disaster management efforts. ‘Our colleagues from Opdis had not been involved much, and participation in disaster management in East Java among people with hearing disabilities was limited to the voluntary forum.’

After the establishment of ULD-PB, Opdis’ role in disaster management has increased significantly. ‘ULD-PB can be seen as an instrument that will promote a change in the disaster management paradigm for people with disabilities. Previously, they were only seen as victims, if they were seen at all. Now, they can be actors in disaster-related affairs. Through ULD-PB, people with disabilities are expected to be able to reduce their own risk and even the risk of others. We hope to be a group that saves people when disasters occur’, explained Anam, the Head of the East Java Mental Health Association.

As part of the ULD-PB’s efforts to develop capacity, a training was conducted in Surabaya from 30 to 31 July 2024.‘In the training, we, as members of ULD-PB, conducted a disaster management simulation at the East Java BPBD. We will disseminate the knowledge we gained to other Opdis who could not participate so that they are exposed to the same information. Going forward, we will have activities related to disaster education, monitoring and evaluation (MonEv) and other areas of disaster management, said Anam.

Anam explained that people with disabilities are very enthusiastic about participating in ULD-PB. The existence of the East Java ULD-PB seems to provide the answer to the concerns of people with disabilities, who are the most affected group, should a disaster occur.

While this seems like a breath of fresh air, Anam hopes that the establishment of ULD-PB should not only serve as a formality but also as an institution that carries out meaningful and impactful activities.

In addition, he emphasised the need for special socialisation efforts for all Opdis in East Java so that Opdis who have not joined can join ULD-PB. To facilitate intensive interactions, Anam also hopes that ULD-PB will have a special office to accommodate ULD-PB members (Opdis) from various regions in East Java.

The establishment of the East Java ULD-PB is a demonstration of the commitment of the East Java Provincial BPBD to ensuring inclusive disaster management services. This support includes making appropriate adjustments for people with disabilities and ensuring accessible offices and facilities within the BPBD office.