Enhancing Sub-National Government's Capacity through Adaptive Social Protection Training

The frequency of natural disasters in Indonesia continues to increase. The report from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that there were 237 natural disaster events since January 1, 2023. Of the many disasters that have occurred, floods have been the most common phenomenon, followed by extreme weather, landslides, forest fires, earthquakes, and abrasions. From the details of the disasters that occurred in early 2023, the hazards in Indonesia are often closely related to drastic climate change. Coupled with the long dry potential issued by BNPB, it will add to the list of disasters that might occur (BNPB, 2023). This assumption can be utilized by preparing disaster prevention measures, such as adaptation to climate change, increasing the resilience of affected communities, to disaster risk management. One approach that is suitable for dealing with the sequence of natural disasters is Adaptive Social Protection (ASP). This approach is useful for reducing the negative impact of natural hazards because there is an integration of social protection provided to the community to empower individuals and the larger community in the pre-disaster phase to post-disaster. ASP targets the most vulnerable and at-risk groups from disasters that occur to adapt and survive amid disasters. The long-term goal is to build a more resilient community when a similar disaster occurs.

Seeing the importance of ASP for the sustainability of the lives of the Indonesian people, RDI participated in Local Government Capacity Building Training for Adaptive Social Protection Schemes organized by the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Agency of the Republic of Indonesia in the Special Province of Yogyakarta (DIY). The training runs for three days, Tuesday-Thursday, 7-8 February 2023. On the first day, the discussion leads to the goal of encouraging the implementation of Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) at the Sub-National level. The session was moderated by Dr. Dinar Kharisma from the Directorate of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment, Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia, and filled in by Dr. Maliki, Mrs. Nuriyatul Maziah, Mr. Arie Rukmantara, and Mr. Mohammed Shafiqul Islam.

On the second day, there were three sessions conducted. The first session discussed 'Understanding Vulnerable Groups' by Mrs. Fisca Aulia from the Directorate of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment, Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia; 'Principles, Standards and Stakeholders/Actors in Disaster Management' by Mr. Wiwit Prasetyono of RedR Indonesia; and 'Understanding the Concept of Adaptive Social Protection' by Dr. Maliki as Director of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment of the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning. The discussion was elaborated with group discussions to identify existing programs and activities related to ASP in the DIY Province facilitated by Medhiansyah Putra Prawira and Fadilah Fitri Arsy as RDI representatives.

The second session opened with a discussion on 'INARisk, Potential for Interoperability with Population Data, and Cross-Agency/Regional Use' by Mr. Anggoro from the Directorate of Disaster Risk Mapping and Evaluation, BNPB. Mr. Camoxs Widayatmo from the Directorate of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment, Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia, continued the discussion on 'Socio-Economic Registration to Realize ASP'. Then, Mr. Gilang Aria Seta from the World Food Program led the final discussion in the 'Information System Scheme to Support ASP Implementation' session. In the third session, Mr. Ekki Syamsulhakim from the World Bank shared his insights on 'Global Best Practices on Program Transformation into ASP.' Dinar Kharisma from the Directorate of Poverty Reduction and Community Empowerment, Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia, explained further 'The Potential for Transforming National and Sub-National Programs into ASP.'

On the last day of the training, the discussion was directed at financial discussions that could help implement the ASP which was opened by Mr. Ginanjar Wibowo from the Ministry of Finance who discussed 'Disaster Financing Based on the Risk-Layering Approach in the APBN and APBD.' After that, Dr. Saut Sagala explained 'Financing Based on a Layered Risk Approach'. At the end of the first session, Mr. Raditia Supriyanto from the Directorate of the Poverty Alleviation and Community Empowerment, the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning, presented his insight on ‘The Governance Concept to Support ASP at National and Sub-National Levels.’ In the last session, Mr. Girindra Pradhana from RedR Indonesia initiated the discussion on ‘the Good Practices of ASP in the Sleman Regency’ and the follow-up discussion was taken over by Medhiansyah Putra Prawira and Fadilah Fitri Arsy from RDI. This workshop targeted many stakeholders ranging from Sub-National government to local practitioners, the discussion was narrowed from global ideas about vulnerable groups to the implementation of ASP that is suitable for local communities. This allows panelists and participants to develop action plans based on gaps, challenges, and issues in their programs. that is where the importance of this workshop lies.