Depok, December 6, 2025 – Indonesia is home to unavoidable natural disaster threats. In responding to this reality, national disaster management efforts can no longer focus solely on emergency response. Long-term, cross-sectoral, and inclusive strategies are required—particularly those that prioritize the most vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
In response to these challenges, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), Universitas Indonesia (UI) held FPH UI Online Seminar (Semol) Series 10 entitled “Beyond Emergency Response: Strategies to Strengthen the Resilience of Vulnerable Groups through Resilient Action” on Saturday, December 6, 2025, in an online format. The seminar brought together and fostered strong synergy among the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, and global humanitarian partners—namely UNICEF and Plan International Indonesia.
“Public health today is increasingly focused on the rising frequency of disasters, food crises, and various emergency conditions that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. As an institution of public health education, FPH UI has a responsibility to cultivate critical, adaptive, and resilience-oriented perspectives. Therefore, sustainable, cross-sectoral, and community-based strategies are needed so that vulnerable groups can survive, recover, and thrive despite ongoing disasters,” said Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FPH UI, in her opening remarks.
The topic “Adaptive Social Protection and Risk Mitigation for Vulnerable Groups in Disaster Situations” was delivered by Jajat Suarjat, S.Pd., M.Si(Han) as the keynote speaker from BNPB RI. In his presentation, BNPB highlighted the fact that vulnerable groups suffer far more severe impacts during disasters. Historical data from events such as the 2004 Aceh Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 show that the proportion of fatalities among the elderly and women is often higher.
“The solution lies in Adaptive Social Protection (ASP), which strengthens existing social protection programs by integrating disaster preparedness and response components. ASP functions as a safety net that ensures assistance is delivered inclusively to all vulnerable groups without exception, responsively adapts the type of assistance to risks and disaster types, and is integrated through seamless coordination between government and non-governmental institutions,” explained Jajat Suarjat, S.Pd., M.Si(Han).
Jamjam Muzaki, S.Pd., M.K.P., National Secretariat of the Safe School Focal Point, Secretariat General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, served as the second speaker with the topic “Building School Resilience: The Role of Education in Disaster Preparedness.” He emphasized the crucial role of schools as safe spaces or evacuation sites during disasters. Therefore, the Disaster-Safe Education Unit Program (SPAB) has become a priority.
“The key to the success of SPAB lies in the pentahelix collaboration model involving government, academics, communities, the private sector, and mass media. By applying the risk formula in schools, we can reduce hazards, decrease vulnerability, and enhance the capacity of school disaster preparedness teams,” Jamjam Muzaki stressed.
Sri Wahyuni Sukotjo, B.Sc., M.A., Senior Nutrition Specialist, delivered the third presentation titled “Child Protection in Disasters: Inclusive and Adaptive Strategies by UNICEF.” She explained that UNICEF focuses on implementing Adaptive Social Protection with a specific emphasis on children, who are highly vulnerable to disruptions in basic services—ranging from health and nutrition to risks of violence.
“Specifically, maternal and infant protection is a top priority. UNICEF prioritizes Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) counseling and the provision of Mother-and-Child-Friendly Spaces to prevent malnutrition and mortality risks, which often increase due to poor sanitation and uncontrolled donations of infant formula,” she explained.
Lastly, Plan International Indonesia, represented by Fredrika Rambu Awa, S.T., M.Ling., presented “Strengthening the Voices of Children and Youth: Gender-Inclusive Disaster Preparedness Strategies.” Plan International Indonesia emphasized the importance of engaging children and youth—including girls and minority groups—as agents of change.
“Disasters often exacerbate gender inequalities, increase the risk of gender-based violence, and overlook menstrual hygiene needs. Therefore, meaningful and inclusive participation is essential—by providing space for children and youth in disaster decision-making at the community level, training them in local risk analysis and emergency planning, and ensuring all disaster planning is sensitive to their specific needs, such as psychosocial support and safe services,” Fredrika concluded.
Through the implementation of Online Seminar Series 10, FPH UI reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a center of thought leadership and public education on strategic public health issues, including equitable and vulnerable-group-focused disaster risk reduction. Cross-ministerial collaboration, partnerships with international humanitarian organizations, and academic engagement form a critical foundation for developing adaptive strategies capable of addressing the complexity of disasters in Indonesia. FPH UI hopes that the studies and discussions presented will strengthen stakeholder capacities, inspire concrete action at the community level, and encourage more inclusive policies toward building a resilient and sustainable nation. (ITM)