Volcanic Eruptions, Droughts & Hardship - Central Java & West Timor, Indonesia
the adventures
"...improving local resilience and meeting felt needs...."
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In this part of Central Java, one could not help but notice how Mt Merapi cut an imposing and dominating, as well as somewhat ominous, figure. This temperamental volcano has been both a blessing and a bane to the surrounding communities: the rich soil enabled crops to thrive, but the periodic eruptions could also readily disrupt and destroy
Our adventure in Salatiga, Central Java, started with a simple desire to raise and train disaster responders-to-be. This desire eventually evolved into an ambitious field exercise, code-named Ex Merapi Fury. Set against a backdrop where Mt Merapi was in imminent danger of erupting, small Rapid Needs Assessment Teams (RATs) were deployed to different parts of the Salatiga region
Over several days and nights, the teams on motorbikes roamed the terrain all around Mt Merapi, collecting essential information on both geographical and human terrain, identifying possible evacuation routes and centres, interviewing the local populace, and establishing sources of supply. En route, they faced and overcame various situational challenges, including motorbike breakdowns, injuries, impassable roads, and Merapi's premature eruption
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While they thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, the 60-or-so participants also experienced many of the real-world challenges of preparing ahead of an imminent disaster. As the exercise designer and co-ordinator, I learned precious lessons about getting people from different backgrounds, nationalities and agencies to work together in a common mission
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On the other hand, our adventure in the more remote parts of West Timor was of a different texture from that of Central Java. Here, many hours away from Kupang (the provincial capital), the villages had no names. The arid landscape held a kind of rugged and rustic beauty, while the tanned complexions and deeply-wrinkled faces of the local populace showed the effects of an ever-scorching sun and a life of hardship
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Besides meeting an important need, we found mobile medical services to be an effective community bonding and trust-building instrument among the remote and impoverished villages. Each medical clinic, featuring expatriate medical personnel, often took on a celebratory, carnival-like feel. Many hundreds of local villagers would flock to the clinic site to receive medical treatment. Often, the locals would welcome and honour our teams with their folk songs, music and elaborate dances. And, as the parents waited for their turns in the queue, the constant laughter, shouts and happy cries of the children at play would uplift the whole atmosphere. Soaking in this communal ambience was always such a joy! More importantly, the knowledge that we were helping to meet a felt need, while also strengthening community relations, gave us a sense of purpose
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