The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Regional administrations and non-governmental organizations have recommended the government focus on trauma healing in post-disaster recovery, an aspect that has long been ignored in the country.
"We have been focusing mainly on reconstructing the physical infrastructure, undermining the victims' psychological condition," Asep Karisi, a deputy to the coordinating minister for the people's welfare, said during a workshop on post-disaster recovery here on Tuesday.
The two-day "International Workshop on Recovery in Post-Disaster Areas in the Region" was jointly organized by the United Nations Development Program and the Coordinating Ministry for the People's Welfare.
UNDP country director for Indonesia, Hakan Bjorkman, said what is done before a disaster or crisis is as important as what is done after in response to a calamity.
Melina Nathan from UNDP Jakarta said the participants of the workshop were focusing on two main issues.
"The first is the problems related to policy, instruments and regulations. Second, we are sharing the best practices from experiences in several regions in Indonesia. We are trying to weave the two into a new and better way," she said.
Looking at post-disaster recovery efforts in eight regions in the country -- Nabire, Poso, Ambon, Manggarai, Garut, Tanah Karo, Aceh Jaya and Bantul -- workshop participants recommended 14 key points to be improved in the future.
Among them is the need to formulate social programs to help victims resolve post-disaster traumas and return to their normal lives by involving local human resources, including youth groups and community figures.
"An example from Ambon shows that when the regional government worked together with NGOs and local communities, the recovery process was most successful," said Nathan.
Other recommendations include applying better data collection methods for victims, involving victims as active subjects instead of objects and strengthening the coordination between the central government and regional administrations.
"The recommendations will be delivered to the central government as an accompanying document to a new presidential decree on disaster recovery management," Asep said. (lva) -- JP
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