Fostering Participation of Local Actors in Volcanic Disaster Risk Reduction (original) (raw)

The capacity of Affected Communities to Manage Disasters in the Eruption of Mount Semeru

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), 2023

The country of Indonesia is included in the Pacific Ring of Fire (pacific volcanic area) which is curved from the north of Sumatra-Java Islanda, Nusa Tenggara to North Sulawesi. There are three philosophies in disaster management; First, keep the community away from the threat of disaster (hazard); secondly, keep disaster away from the society; The third is living in harmony and friendly with disasters by developing local wisdom. This study aimed to see the extent of the community's capacity in disaster management and minimize the impact of the eruption on the surrounding community. This study used a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Qualitative methods rely on text and visual data. The data collection techniques are carried out through observation, interviews, literature studies, and focus group discussions (FGD). It is clear that the capacity of the community to be involved in pre-disaster, during the disaster, and post-disaster. The suddenness faced by the community at the time of the eruption was due to the lack of functioning of the EWS plus the absence of signs of the Semeru eruption so there were many casualties and the loss of property was quite extraordinary. With this capacity increase, we hope that it will reduce the loss of life and property in the community and also requires cooperation between related institutions in disaster management.

Managing societal uncertainty in volcanic hazards: a multidisciplinary approach

Disaster Prevention and Management an International Journal, 2013

This paper summarizes research involving a multidisciplinary team of volcanologists and social scientists. It describes collaboration in relation to social and physical risk and vulnerability following the Mount Ruapehu eruptions of 1995-1996. This work stresses a key role for such multidisciplinary teams in reducing the social impact of volcanic hazards through assisting communities, organizations, and individuals following an eruption and, importantly, during quiescent periods. We present an overview of a multidisciplinary approach and related research. In stressing the role of the physical science community in managing societal hazards and risk, the paper addresses how this role can be enhanced through collaboration with social scientists and others. The emphasis here is the facilitation of volcanological knowledge and expertise in threat communication, mitigation, community development, emergency planning, and response management. Our research has examined mechanisms for integration, multidisciplinary training, and preparing volcanologists for the social demands encountered in playing an active crisis management role. One area of overlap that can tie together disciplines and assist the public is the idea that volcanic activity and the related uncertainties are, at their essence, simply problems that with increasingly integrated efforts likewise have increasingly attainable solutions.

Framing Volcanic Risk Communication Within Disaster Risk Reduction: Finding Ways for the Social and Physical Sciences to Work Together

Geological Society …, 2008

Sixteen years have passed since the last global volcanic event and more than 25 since a volcanic catastrophe that killed tens of thousands. In this time, volcanology has seen major advances in understanding, modelling and predicting volcanic hazards and, recently, an interest in techniques for reducing and mitigating volcanic risk. This paper provides a synthesis of literature relating to this last aspect, specifically the communication of volcanic risk, with a view to highlighting areas of future research into encouraging risk-reducing behaviour. Evidence suggests that the current ‘multidisciplinary’ approach within physical science needs a broader scope to include sociological knowledge and techniques. Key areas where this approach might be applied are: (1) the understanding of the incentives that make governments and communities act to reduce volcanic risk; (2) improving the communication of volcanic uncertainties in volcanic emergency management and long-term planning and development. To be successful, volcanic risk reduction programmes will need to be placed within the context of other other risk-related phenomena (e.g. other natural hazards, climate change) and aim to develop an all-risks reduction culture. We suggest that the greatest potential for achieving these two aims comes from deliberative inclusive processes and geographic information systems.

Volcano disaster risk management during crisis: implementation of risk communication in Indonesia

Journal of applied volcanology, 2023

Volcano disaster risk management during a crisis requires continuous and intensive risk communication with the public. However, to have the desired public response during a crisis, it is necessary to improve the community's understanding of volcanoes. Knowledge, experience, risk perception, communication, and drills shape good community responses. These require a bottom-up process of communication and involvement of the community in decisionmaking and engagement with the government. Thus, proper crisis management requires top-down and bottom-up communication and joint work between the scientists, decision-makers, and the community. The response from the community can be improved through community-based preparedness with a culturally sensitive approach that facilitates a strong relationship and participation of community members according to their customs. The Wajib Latih Penanggulangan Bencana (WLPB: Compulsory Disaster Management Training Program) and the SISTER VILLAGE Program in the Merapi Volcano community are good examples of community-based preparation in Indonesia. An effective volcano early warning protocol includes risks analysis, volcano monitoring, hazards analysis and forecasting, dissemination of alerts and warnings, and community response according to the warning. Alert levels can also be increased during the unrest, so actions are also associated with this and not just related to the impacts of an eruption. Therefore, the alert level alone is not helpful if it is not appropriately communicated with an action plan in place to improve community awareness. Moreover, personal communication between scientists and decision-makers and between scientists and the community is essential to instill self-responsibility and a sense of belonging. Personal communication describes the trust of community members or certain decision-makers to scientists to obtain more detailed explanations of volcanic activity. Such communication is already occurring in communities that have experienced a long history of eruptions, and/or continuous eruptions, such as at Merapi and Sinabung volcanoes. The disaster management system in Indonesia includes institutions that manage science and institutions responsible for social aspects, such as evacuations, refugee handling, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA, Badan Nasional Bencana, BNPB in Bahasa Indonesia) of Indonesia coordinates all disasters to integrate management of and facilitate communication between stakeholders. In addition to a well-established system, effective and good disaster management needs to be supported by policies related to public needs before, during, and after the disaster. After disasters, a review of previous strategies is also necessary to develop a better strategy and obtain a better result. Establishing SISTER VILLAGES is an excellent strategy

Participatory methods of incorporating scientific with traditional knowledge for volcanic hazard management on Ambae Island, Vanuatu

Bulletin of Volcanology, 2004

Ambae Island is the largest of Vanuatu's active volcanoes. It is also one of the nation's potentially most dangerous, with 60 million m 3 of lake-water perched at over 1340 m in the summit caldera and over the active vent. In 1995, small phreatic explosions, earthquake swarms and heightened gas release led to calls for evacuation preparation and community volcanic hazard awareness programs for the~9500 inhabitants. Differences in perspective or world-view between the island dwellers adhering to traditional beliefs (Kastom) and external scientists and emergency managers led to a climate of distrust following this crisis. In an attempt to address these issues, rebuild dialogue and respect between communities, outside scientists and administrators, and move forward in volcanic hazard education and planning for Ambae, we adapted and applied Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) approaches. Initial gender-segregated PRA exercises from two representative communities provided a mechanism for cataloguing local traditional viewpoints and hazard perceptions. Ultimately, by combining elements of these viewpoints and perceptions with science-based management structures, we derived volcanic hazard management guidelines, supported by an alert system and map that were more readily accepted by the test communities than the earlier "top-down" plans imposed by outside governmental and scientific agencies. The strength of PRA approaches is that they permit scientists to understand important local perspective issues, including visualisations of volcanic hazards, weaknesses in internal and external communication systems, and gender and hierarchy conflicts, all of which can hinder community emergency management. The approach we describe has much to offer both developing and industrialised communities that wish to improve their awareness programs and mitigative planning. This approach should also enhance communication and understanding between volcanologists and the communities they serve.

Building local level engagement in disaster risk

Purpose – Contributing to the global dialogue on disaster risk reduction (DRR), the purpose of this paper is to address a key priority for the Post-2015 Framework for DRR (HFA2) by analysing initiatives used by one local government to increase local-level engagement in DRR. Design/methodology/approach – A review of literature from the multidisciplinary areas of communication, social and political theory examines the role that communication theory and practice can play in facilitating public participation to build community resilience. Building on these insights, the authors introduce a research methodology to examine modes of communication, the quality of dialogue and opportunities for “voice” and “listening” between decision makers and local-level stakeholders during DRR planning A qualitative, case study is undertaken with data sourced from observation, document analysis and interviews to provide insights into public engagement events, policies and procedures that enhance or impede local engagement in DRR. Findings – Communication between the DRR campaign team and publics are analysed according to the range of communication practices used and opportunities provided for dialogue between parties. Findings differentiate between public information, consultation and participation events. Factors that enable and conversely, constrain local-level engagement to build community resilience, and conditions associated with each factor, are identified. Research limitations/implications – A unique analytical framework adapted from the duel lenses of participatory communication and information flow models, is used to differentiate events using one-way information from those offering opportunities for dialogue and participation. The framework provides a method for DRR practitioners to plan and evaluate local-level engagement events to meet the communication needs of particular situations. Practical implications – The framework provides a method for DRR practitioners to plan and evaluate local-level engagement events to meet the communication needs of particular situations. Originality/value – Co-authored by an Australian academic and a member of Amadora’s campaign team, the paper is a combination of one city’s experience in developing strategies to build community resilience, analysed using communication, social and political theory. Findings have implications for standard command-and-control management systems and styles of leadership and crisis management. Results will assist practitioners’ advance their understanding of different ways that publics may be engaged to build community resilience. Keywords Portugal, Leadership, Resilience, Dialogue, Disaster risk reduction, Participatory communication Paper type Research paper

Disaster risk reduction at San Vicente (Chichontepec) Volcano, El Salvador: toward understanding social and geophysical vulnerability

Despite a long history of volcanic debris flows on the northern flank of San Vicente Volcano, El Salvador, authorities and communities were ill-prepared for the lahars that occurred on Nov. 7-8, 2009. More than 250 people were killed by lahars resulting from shallow landslides, not to mention millions of dollars (US) in damage to houses, agriculture, and infrastructure. After the disaster, significant aid was invested in the region to reduce risk in future disasters. This case study uses the ethnographic tools of qualitative interviews, participant observation, and review of institutional documents to analyze two particular aspects of disaster risk reduction strategies in the town of Verapaz: 1) relocation of at-risk residents led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and 2) hazard monitoring and emergency management training programs led by Civil Protection, the University of El Salvador, and NGOs. The relocation effort, while effective at reducing physical vulnerability to debris flows, failed to incorporate livelihood, social networks, and cultural ties to homes in their project design and implementation. Since diverse livelihoods are keys to survival, and tightly-knit social networks help families share responsibilities and withstand shocks during hardships, many families returned to the high-risk area or opted not to relocate. Others have adapted using unanticipated strategies to benefit from the resettlement effort. On the other hand, the emergency management training and education programs valued local input, knowledge, and action, which has helped increase awareness and improved the overall capacity to manage emergencies through wide, local participation. The different approaches used in the two risk reduction initiatives reveal important lessons regarding the importance of community participation. Challenges derive from narrow understandings of vulnerability on the part of disaster risk reduction experts, who neglected to consider and understand kin networks and residence patterns that help maintain diverse livelihoods, as well as ensure safety and security. As demonstrated in the 2011 Tropical Depression 12E, effective public engagement and empowerment helped bridge the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness gaps that existed prior to the 2009 disaster.

Risk Communication for Disaster Preparedness of Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption

ehs.unu.edu

This paper discusses about the social vulnerability as the main issue in the context of two natural disasters in Yogyakarta Metropolitan area, earthquake and volcanic eruption. The inflicted area extends over Yogyakarta City and the nearby major cities (Bantul, Sleman, Muntilan and Magelang), a conurbation inhabited by more than three millions inhabitants. One of the disasters was a major earthquake in a scale of 5.9 Richter on May 27 th 2006, which claimed more than 5,500 lost of lives and destroyed approximately 500,000 houses. Another disaster was a series of volcanic eruption in April -June 2006. This research explores these cases in two study locations, a community at earthquake prone area and a community nearby Merapi Volcano which are located at the southern and northern parts of Yogyakarta City respectively. The research observes the disaster preparedness and awareness in each community. The following questions are discussed in this research: Could pre-disaster initiatives, such as risk communication, positively increase disaster awareness as well as reduce the disaster risk? What can disaster preparedness at local level contribute to maintain resilience in a very large context, such as Yogyakarta metropolitan area? In relation to these goals, social vulnerability in the scope of community's preparedness is examined which leads to the formulation of risk communication for potential volcanic eruptions and earthquake occurrences. Participatory approach is applied in the field studies in order to examine the process of enhancing the existing coping capacity of the communities and to evaluate possible ways of communicating risk. This paper argues that participatory approach would enhance the quality of risk communication at local level and subsequently contributes to global level.

Disaster risk reduction and resettlement efforts at San Vicente (Chichontepec) Volcano, El Salvador: toward understanding social and geophysical vulnerability

Journal of Applied Volcanology, 2015

Despite a long history of volcanic debris flows on the northern flank of San Vicente Volcano, El Salvador, authorities and communities were ill-prepared for the lahars that occurred on Nov. 7-8, 2009. More than 250 people were killed by lahars resulting from shallow landslides, not to mention millions of dollars (US) in damage to houses, agriculture, and infrastructure. After the disaster, significant aid was invested in the region to reduce risk in future disasters. This case study uses the ethnographic tools of qualitative interviews, participant observation, and review of institutional documents to analyze two particular aspects of disaster risk reduction strategies in the town of Verapaz: 1) relocation of at-risk residents led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and 2) hazard monitoring and emergency management training programs led by Civil Protection, the University of El Salvador, and NGOs. The relocation effort, while effective at reducing physical vulnerability to debris flows, failed to incorporate livelihood, social networks, and cultural ties to homes in their project design and implementation. Since diverse livelihoods are keys to survival, and tightly-knit social networks help families share responsibilities and withstand shocks during hardships, many families returned to the high-risk area or opted not to relocate. Others have adapted using unanticipated strategies to benefit from the resettlement effort. On the other hand, the emergency management training and education programs valued local input, knowledge, and action, which has helped increase awareness and improved the overall capacity to manage emergencies through wide, local participation. The different approaches used in the two risk reduction initiatives reveal important lessons regarding the importance of community participation. Challenges derive from narrow understandings of vulnerability on the part of disaster risk reduction experts, who neglected to consider and understand kin networks and residence patterns that help maintain diverse livelihoods, as well as ensure safety and security. As demonstrated in the 2011 Tropical Depression 12E, effective public engagement and empowerment helped bridge the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness gaps that existed prior to the 2009 disaster.

VOLCANIC DISASTER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN DISASTER PRONE II

Mt. Slamet as the second highest active volcano in Java island has fluctuation seismic activities since early in 2014. Government sets disaster prone II as the nearest area for villagers lived near to Mt. Slamet. This paper is describing the perspectives and the way of life for people who live in disaster prone II and volcanic disaster management practices for centuries. This research employed qualitative method. Sawangan hamlet and Guci village chosen as the area for this research since it's located in the prone area for lava flow. This research used in-depth interview for 29 KI's which divided into 10 KI's from local stakeholders and 19 KI's of households who lived in the two villages. Data collection was done during January to February 2016 and content analysis was done in the process of data analysis. The result found that Sawangan applied volcanic disaster management practice without any support from other parties. Volcanic disaster management means as the practices of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases during the eruption of Mt. Slamet. Sawangan practices those phases based on the spiritual belief or Moslem practices on their way of life through doing jamiyahan (praise of Allah through reading Al-Qur'an and praying) in every week. This activity did also as the base meeting and coordination for all Sawangan's villagers during the response phase of Mt.Slamet's eruption. It's also influence to their decision and action for refusing to do evacuation during the eruption. In the other hand, Guci receive more support from local government in culture application as their disaster management practices. One of example culture practice is Ruwat Bumi which held in annually as their belief to safe the villager's life from the impact of Mt. Slamet's eruption. It is supportive and fully funded by the local government. The different way of life and inter-agency on mitigation phase bring two villages having different skills of disaster management's practices. However, Sawangan and Guci has their own way of life for strengthen their disaster management practices Keywords: disaster management, volcanic disaster management, way of life, Mt.Slamet, disaster prone II