Policy and Advocacy: Role of Civil Society in Disaster Management Bill Processes in Indonesia

Abstract

The earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004 which hit Nangroe Aceh Darussalam and the earthquake in Nias Island, Simeuleu and Banyak on 28 March 2005, have given rise to a wave of sympathy, assistance, services, funding and efforts as manifestation of humanitarian (A White Paper for Legislative Reform, 2005). From these experiences, it became clear that a sound basic policy to regulate the functions and roles of various parties in managing disasters is necessary. The Indonesian Society for Disaster Management (MPBI) initiated to work with the government to reform its disaster management legislation by taking the lead and strengthening the partnership with various stakeholders. This movement was eventually further developed and a forum known as the Coalition for Disaster Management Law Drafting was formed. The supports from the civil society were tremendous in every aspects of the process. The joint works included drafting the disaster management bill, raising awareness and advocacy, and building networking with various parties that consist of the government, UN, INGOs, Red Cross and Universities. Among others, the involvement and contribution of MPBI was prominent as the main actor in drafting of disaster management law.

The Law has made great impacts on several aspects of disaster management in Indonesia including the paradigm shift from disaster response to disaster risk reduction, DRR mainstreaming into development, reformation of disaster management.