Strengthening Community Resilience: Celebrating the Results of the Tangguh Siap Project in South Lampung

For the past three years, the Tangguh Siap Programme has worked to strengthen community resilience in disaster-prone areas of South Lampung. Officially titled “Meningkatkan Ketangguhan Masyarakat di Wilayah Rawan Bencana di Lampung Selatan melalui Integrasi Upaya Mitigasi Risiko Sosio-ekonomi dalam Mekanisme dan Program Pembangunan Daerah”, this initiative, implemented by ASB in collaboration with local organisation PALUMA Nusantara, has left a lasting impact on the region. The programme integrated socio-economic risk mitigation into regional development mechanisms and projects, aiming for sustainable resilience-building across local communities.

To mark the project’s conclusion and showcase its achievements, a Tangguh Siap Project Exhibition was held on 3rd October 2024 at the PKK Hall in South Lampung. The event gathered a wide array of provincial and district-level government representatives, highlighting the project’s collaborative approach and its alignment with regional development priorities.

Provincial and Local Government Support

The exhibition saw attendance from prominent government bodies, including Lampung’s Provincial Planning Agency, the Regional Disaster Management Agency, and various departments related to social welfare, community empowerment, and economic development. Representatives from the South Lampung Regency also joined, reflecting the project’s comprehensive reach across multiple sectors. These included heads of departments overseeing disaster management, education, health, agriculture, and community development, among others.

The opening of the event featured a traditional Lampung dance and a safety briefing led by the local disaster risk reduction team and representatives from disability organisations. Notably, one of the safety leaders, Bu Sariyah, a woman with a physical disability, exemplified the project’s commitment to inclusive participation, especially in disaster preparedness and response.

Reflections from Key Leaders

In her opening remarks, South Lampung’s Assistant for Government and People’s Welfare, Intji Indriati, emphasised the significance of the Tangguh Siap project in building community resilience and integrating disaster risk reduction into regional planning. She acknowledged the importance of continuing these efforts beyond the project timeline to ensure long-term sustainability.

Lily, Director of ASB South and Southeast Asia, further underscored the critical role of stakeholders, particularly gender and disability groups, in supporting and participating in the project. She expressed her gratitude to everyone involved, recognising the collaborative efforts that made the programme’s achievements possible.

Heni Asih, Director of PALUMA Nusantara, echoed this sentiment by stressing that effective coordination was key to the project’s success. She urged local communities and government agencies to maintain these collaborative efforts, ensuring that the work initiated by the Tangguh Siap programme continues to thrive beyond its formal conclusion.

Exhibiting Community Achievements

The exhibition featured booths displaying the project’s outcomes, showcasing the hard work and dedication of community members and implementation team. Highlights included initiatives from micro and small businesses, organic farming, disaster risk reduction forums, village-owned enterprises, and disability organisations. One booth focused on banana flour production, while another celebrated coffee production, where the barista was a person with a hearing disability, exemplifying the project’s inclusive approach to economic empowerment.

A standout moment came from the collaboration between the community and local government departments. This partnership served as a strong indication that the programme’s outcomes are not solely owned by the project but are embraced by the community and local authorities. This collective ownership signals a promising future where these initiatives will continue to flourish even after the programme’s conclusion.

Stories of Impact: Strengthening Marginalised Communities

Ja’far, a person with vision disability, leader of a disability organisation in Sukaraja Village, Rajabasa District, shared his personal reflections on the project. “This programme has been deeply meaningful to us. It’s given us the opportunity to gather, share stories, and gain valuable experiences that we hadn’t had before. For those without disabilities, this might seem like just another activity, but for us, it’s truly special,” he remarked.

Ja’far also expressed his hopes for the future, saying, “Although the Tangguh Siap programme is ending this year, we hope that local and regional governments will continue to support and extend similar initiatives for people with disabilities.”

A Legacy of Resilience and Inclusion

The Tangguh Siap Project has set an inspiring example of what can be achieved when inclusive, community-led approaches are integrated into disaster risk reduction and socio-economic development. By working closely with local government bodies and ensuring meaningful participation from marginalised groups, the project has created a foundation for sustainable resilience in South Lampung.

As the project concludes, the message is clear: the efforts to strengthen community resilience must continue, and the partnerships formed must be nurtured to ensure lasting impact. With strong local ownership and a commitment to inclusion, the legacy of Tangguh Siap will endure, strengthening communities to thrive in the face of future challenges.

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