Localizing disaster risk reduction: a case study of community-based disaster preparedness in Bima and Palangkaraya Indonesia

Abstract

Community-Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) approaches are important elements to reduce vulnerability and increase resiliency in disaster risk areas. These are part of a new trend in localizing disaster risk reduction (DRR) which values the knowledge and capacities of local people and builds on local resources, including social capital. The CBDP in Indonesia has been initiated both by government and various actors such as NGOs, academia, and privates. This paper focuses on the CBDP initiatives called “MASTANA” that are carried out by Muhammadiyah (MDMC), one of the largest Faith-Based Organization (FBO) in Indonesia in collaboration with local disaster management agency. This paper will describe how local communities through MASTANA program succeeded in formulating disaster preparedness strategies and situating them within wider local development planning. It also depicts how communities are able to integrate contingency and operational plans into planning document that was formalized and signed by the village head to guarantee the sustainability of DRR program. In addition, it will describe the formation of DRR forum that consist of various stakeholders including women and people with disabilities. Last, it will discuss challenges in using CBDP approaches at the village level.