In 2004, a large tsunami hit Aceh. This event became one of the most destructive natural disasters in modern history. More than 200 thousand people died in this incident. As well as being a source of grief for Indonesia, the Aceh Tsunami was also a source of grief and encouragement for the world in disaster risk reduction efforts, including being one of the factors driving the preparation and adoption of the 2005-2015 Hyogo Framework.
The Hyogo Framework, also known as the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), is a strategic document adopted by member states of the United Nations at the 2005 World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Kobe, Japan. The aim is to direct and guide global efforts to reduce disaster risk over a ten-year period between 2005 and 2015. The contents include several important issues related to disasters, such as activating disaster risk reduction activities, setting priorities for action including public education, community empowerment, encouraging international partnerships, so that monitoring and evaluation is necessary.
The involvement of all parties is also stated and is an agenda that is encouraged in this framework. The Hyogo Framework is not the only international document that addresses engagement. In 2006, the United Nations formulated the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). This international convention aims to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and ensure that they fully enjoy the same human rights as other human beings. Between UN CRPD and HFA, has a relevant relationship in the context of inclusive and sustainable disaster risk reduction, especially in encouraging the participation of persons with disabilities. Although the two frameworks have different focuses, the principles and goals outlined in each can support and reinforce one another.
Close to the year the two documents above were formulated, Indonesia on a national scale also has related policies, even derived from the two strategic documents. The first is Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management. This law provides a legal basis for disaster management in Indonesia. Although it does not specifically address disability, this law requires the government and related institutions to involve all elements of society in disaster management efforts.
The second is Law Number 19 of 2011 concerning Ratification of the UN CRPD. This law stipulates that the state has an obligation to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the UN CRPD. States are obliged to take the necessary steps to ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy the full enjoyment of human rights.
Policies at a more strategic stakeholder level also exist in Indonesia, namely Regulation of the Head of BNPB Number 14 of 2014 concerning Handling, Protection and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Disaster Management. The concentration of this regulation also directs persons with disabilities to play a role in disaster management when there is no disaster, during emergency response, and after a disaster occurs.
The three policies above really reflect that on a national scale, the state is present to ensure that inclusivity needs to be achieved in various situations, including involving people with disabilities in the disaster risk reduction process. However, as time goes by, the relevance of policy is also dynamic and increasingly complex. After ten years of the publication of the HFA, the reference for disaster risk reduction on an international scale has also changed to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. This framework was adopted at the 2015 World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan. This framework provides direction and priorities for global action in disaster risk reduction over a 15 year period. The aim is to reduce the impact of disasters through measures focused on preventing risks, reducing vulnerabilities, building resilience and improving preparedness.
In the same year, the UN also intensified two other agendas, namely the formulation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda and the Paris Agreement. SDG number 11 specifically focuses on, “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. This goal indirectly contributes to disaster risk reduction by promoting urban development that focuses on aspects of disaster preparedness and resilience. Meanwhile, the Paris Agreement was agreed upon by 195 countries in the world committed to tackling global climate change by limiting the increase in average global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Responding to this international agenda, Indonesia outlined its policies through Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities, Government Regulation Number 42 of 2020 concerning Protection of Disabilities in Disasters, and Presidential Regulation Number 87 of 2020 concerning the Master Plan for Disaster Management for 2020-2044. These three became written policies adopted to accommodate the country’s conditions, including realizing disability inclusion in the disaster risk reduction process. This series of national policies also has the potential to continue to be improved. However, what is more important than a written policy is its implementation and establishing greater collaboration, including ensuring that community diversity needs to be encouraged as social capital to build a more just and empowered society.
