Building Disability-Inclusive Disaster-Resilient Villages

Geographical and demographic shifts in East Kalimantan, driven by development and the establishment of the nation’s capital, have heightened the region’s susceptibility to disasters, particularly among the vulnerable population. Effective disaster management at the village level is essential to foster disaster-resilient communities and protect all population groups, including people living with disabilities. While the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) disaster risk index includes data on the ratio of people with disabilities to the population, it lacks specific details on vulnerabilities related to different types of disabilities and disasters. This study aims to assess the vulnerability of villages with people with disabilities (PWD) to floods, forest fires, and landslides in East Kalimantan. Using the 2021 Village Potential Data (PODES), we applied the district social vulnerability index (DSVI), which incorporates 36 indicators of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, to determine village vulnerability. Our analysis identified 205 out of 1,036 villages as highly vulnerable (DSVI-5). Spatial mapping revealed that villages most affected by these vulnerabilities (Group 4, which are villages with people living with disabilities and experiencing disasters) are predominantly located in West Kutai, Kutai Kartanegara, and East Kutai, with Samarinda City notably affected by landslides. These findings underscore the importance of developing disability-inclusive disaster-resilient villages (DIDRV) to mitigate disaster risks and impacts. Additionally, tailoring disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to the specific needs of individuals with disabilities and actively involving them in the planning is crucial.

North east · Population · Social vulnerability · Vulnerability assessment · Vulnerability index · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Wetland Management and Conservation