How we helped:
Kopernik coordinated with IDEP Foundation, Bumi Sehat, Rio Helmi, Rucina Ballinger and the Green School parents under the Mount Agung Relief consortium to quickly respond to the needs of those affected by Mount Agung’s increased volcanic activity. The team coordinated closely with other NGOs, government bodies, other civil society initiatives and generous, concerned citizens in Bali, Indonesia and worldwide.
MAR’s core focus was to provide a rapid response to immediate needs for evacuees who didn’t have access to basic supplies and disaster management information. This included, among others, providing access to drinking water through the distribution of water filters, in addition to providing N95 masks, establishing a cash for food programme, and distributing “family buckets” that consisted of, among others, personal hygiene and first aid kits, cooking equipment and utensils, shelter kits, baby and infant supplies, and adult cloths. We also organized training activities on disaster preparedness, livelihoods as well as water filter maintenance and cleaning.
The Mount Agung Emergency Response raised a total of $133,693 from 912 donors. We also received a large number of in-kind donations, such as food, tarps and N95 respirator masks. This included a donation of 15,000 children masks from the Body Shop and Air Line Pilots Association Singapore that were flown in from Singapore as children’s masks were not readily available in Indonesia.
We delivered more than 40 truckloads of critical supplies, such as hygiene kits, food, blankets, sleeping mats, tarpaulins, and other items. A total of 576 water filter were distributed to 102 evacuation points, reaching 9,216 individuals with basic water supply for drinking and food preparation of around 3.6 liters/day. 55,095 N95 respirator masks were distributed across 52 evacuation points, including 34,885 adult masks pieces – to benefit an estimated 8,721 adults – and 20,120 children masks – benefiting an estimated 5,053 children.
Through IDEP Media and IDEP Foundation, we distributed solar light and television kits with disaster preparedness education materials to seven evacuee camps, benefiting 371 individuals. Together with local coordinators, MAR built 26 toilets and two bathrooms at three evacuation points in Les, Tianyar Timur and Amed.
In the Cash for Food program, we provided financial support of 15 million rupiah for evacuee coordinators to purchase nutritional one-week packages that consisted of vegetables, eggs, and dry fish for 123 households, or 492 individuals, across three evacuation location points in Sibetan sub-district.
The relief effort reached 17,173 households, or 68,697 individuals, consisting of both adults and children, across 184 evacuation points in four regencies (Karangasem, Klungkung, Bangli and Buleleng).
Language
English
Content Status:
Ready for translation
Related project:
Mount Agung Emergency Response
The problem:
On 23 September 2017, a series of quakes triggered by Mount Agung’s increased volcanic activity prompted authorities to increase the volcano’s alert status to Level 4 or Awas from Level 3 or Siaga. At least 150,000 people living within 12-km radius of Bali’s largest volcano, were affected. The sudden influx of evacuees overwhelmed the distribution flow of food and other critical supplies into the temporary camps, leading to many reports of shortages. Dozens of evacuees also set up independent, self-managed shelters the support of sister villages, as many government-run camps became overcrowded. Evacuees in temporary shelters, both the ones ran by authorities and those self-managed, often lived in closely-packed spaces that lacked access to clean drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities. Such an environment increases the risk of the spread of bacteria and diseases such as diarrhea and dengue fever. Furthermore, there was a lack of awareness about disaster risk mitigation among evacuees and host communities alike, which led to several instances of confusion due to communication gaps.
On 25 November 2017, Mount Agung moved into a magmatic eruption phase after several phreatic eruptions. On 27 November 2017, authorities called for evacuations within an 8-10 km zone. The ash cloud from the eruptions reached 7,600 meter-high and ash fall was reported in many villages and regions of Bali. Many of evacuees and communities were not yet equipped with proper safety devices –such as N95 face masks and eye goggles – that would protect them from volcanic ash exposure. Falling ash can be acidic and cause irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs. It is common to see respiratory problems in those affected by falling ash, particularly the young and elderly, or those with pre-existing respiratory problems like asthma.
Time period:
May 2018
Reaching the last mile:
We conducted distributions based on information from a network of trusted coordinators in the field, and procured items through the funds raised as well as through in-kind donations. The support was distributed by each organization participating in Mount Agung Relief, leveraging on their respective strengths and expertise.
Our core activities included water filters and masks, disaster preparedness training and education, cash for food, direct aid, sanitation and camp improvements, livelihoods and cattle support.
Critical supplies – such as food items, hygiene kits, and tarps – were distributed to the heads of villages, who will then distribute accordingly among the evacuees. To support the local economy and allow evacuees the agency to source nutritious food, we also provided financial support in the Cash for Food initiative.
We distributed masks and water filters by engaging with village heads of evacuees. We taught evacuees how to use the masks, and how to clean and maintain the water filters. When building the sanitation facilities, we engaged the evacuees as well as host communities in the area. As most evacuees were farmers, we also supported the well-being of cattle and provided workshop in organic farming.
We distributed the communication and education kits on disaster preparedness to 13 locations, comprising of nine evacuation camps and four elementary schools, through IDEP Media and IDEP Foundation.
The challenges:
By nature, an emergency response requires a rapid decision-making process in the midst of a fast-changing environment. Decisions on distribution points within the relief effort had to be made swiftly and responsively.
This became a particular challenge in a community relief effort that has multiple actors involved. The emergency nature made it challenging for the relief effort to collect and monitor data in an organized manner given the fluctuating movements of evacuees. In addition, we had a limited window of time to train evacuees on how to use the water filters, which resulted in many reports of improper maintenance.
We addressed this challenge by reviewing the supplies we delivered during periods when Mount Agung’s volcanic activity reduced, and conducted monitoring assessments, particularly for water filters. During downtimes and after we delivered the support, we returned to the evacuation camps to follow up on monitoring and further training of the water filters. Our team members also assisted the evacuation camps in establishing a system to manage water filter maintenance.
What people are saying:
ONE (Water Filter)
“Using the Nazava water filter, I saved 100,000 rupiahs per month. I usually would buy one water gallon per week . This technology was useful and made me feel safe because now my family can have safe drinking water everyday”.
Mrs. Kadek Sri, sub village Banyah, Ban village, Karang asem District, who brought home the water filters from the IDP camps.
TWO (Water Filter)
Before owning a water filter, I Wayan Rumiarti and his family relied on rain water stored in the family cubak (water pond), which is later boiled for drinking. However, sometimes the family would directly drink the water without boiling.
After using the Nazava water filter, Wayan said the technology is practical, efficient, and supported the daily needs of his household.
I Wayan Rumiarti, Bonyoh sub village, Ban village, Karang asem District.
THREE (Water Filter in Camps)
Mangkus Barte managed the water filter to provide water for 10 households, or 37 individuals, in an evacuee camp. He has made a roster of people living in the camp. Every week they take turns to clean up the water filter. He really appreciated receiving the water filter, because the evacuees do not need to buy water and can save money for other purposes.
Mangkus Barte, Coordinator Posko Pasar Yadnya, sub-district Rendang, District Karangasem.
FOUR (Solar Light)
“The solar lantern is very useful, especially when the electricity goes down. What we are most concerned about is if the power grid goes down because the volcanic dust disrupts the station. If that happens, we can use the solar lanterns to continue our activities. We are grateful because this is incredibly useful for us. In this location there is also no bathroom so we would go to the river by using the solar powered flashlight that has been donated.”
Pak Komang Sukadana, Evacuee Coordinator Posko Banjar Dukuh – Sangkan Gunung village, Karangasem
FIVE (Cash For Food)
Komang Kurniawan appreciated the coordination with Mount Agung Relief, and received support to obtain food items such as vegetables (carrot, cabbage, and eggplant), rice, eggs, and beans. The food items were delivered to six evacuee camps in Karangasem. The evacuees were happy to receive nutritious food.
Komang Kurniawan, Coordinator Camp, Buleleng District
SIX (Disaster Preparedness & Education)
“The workshop I joined with my friends on Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (PRBBM) is useful for all the volunteers who were in the field. The atmosphere during the workshop was warm and interactive. We exchanged knowledge on disaster risk reduction and mitigation from the discussion.”
Nyoman Ulian Artha Putra