Banjarmasin City Builds Disabled Inclusive Disaster Preparedness

The Kayuh Baimbai document, an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities, was launched in Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan.

A video of an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities was shown during the discussion and launch of the document Kayuh Baimbai, a joint draft of an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Thursday (25/4/2024).

BANJARMASIN, KOMPAS — An inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities was launched in Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan. With these guidelines, people with disabilities can be prioritized when a disaster occurs. They will also be trained to save themselves so that casualties can be avoided.

The launch of the Kayuh Baimbai document, a joint draft of an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities, was held in Banjarmasin, Thursday (25/4/2024). This document is the result of research by Desy Ayu Pirmasari and Katie McQuaid from University of Leeds, England, together with the Indonesian Association of Disabled People (PPDI) and the Indonesian Association of Disabled Women (HWDI) Banjarmasin City.

Katie McQuaid stated that the Kayuh Baimbai project translated their research findings on disabilities, climate change, and disasters in Banjarmasin. The results were presented as creative interventions, driven by people with disabilities themselves, to form an inclusive disaster preparedness process and production of knowledge on various scales.

With this, we ensure that no one is left behind, including our brothers and sisters with disabilities.

The process of disaster preparedness begins with the involvement of the city government, disaster practitioners, and firefighters, working collaboratively within the community among leaders, neighbors, as well as extended or close families.

"Our mission is to build the readiness of groups with disabilities in facing disasters. We are developing tools to help communities and their families become more prepared in facing disasters, especially floods and fires," said Katie McQuaid.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

Katie McQuaid from the University of Leeds, UK, spoke during the launch of the Kayuh Baimbai document, a joint design for inclusive disaster preparedness guidelines for people with disabilities, in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

According to Katie McQuaid, the Kayuh Baimbai project seeks to solve the social problems faced by people with disabilities. They try to remove the stigma attached to disabled groups and make disabled people more confident in facing disasters.

"Our goal is to solve social problems first. When you're done, then get into technology. "The technological approach is of course very important, just like the human approach," said the anthropologist and associate professor at the University of Leeds.

Also read: Communities Involved in Flood Disaster Mitigation in South Kalimantan

The head of the Banjarmasin City Association of People with Disabilities (PPDI), Slamet Triyadi, stated that Banjarmasin is still often hit by floods and fires. This situation makes it mandatory for them to participate in formulating an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for persons with disabilities in Banjarmasin.

"We all must be prepared to face disasters. Especially for people with disabilities, they themselves must understand how to save themselves in the event of a disaster. The community is also expected to be able to save people with disabilities, who are among the vulnerable groups," said this visually impaired disability advocate.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

A discussion event was held during the launch of the Kayuh Baimbai document, a joint design for an inclusive disability disaster preparedness guide in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

Involved

According to Slamet Triyadi, disabled individuals were involved in the survey of the Kayuh Baimbai project. They conducted field surveys in seven neighborhoods spread across five districts in the city of Banjarmasin. The number of disabled residents surveyed in the seven neighborhoods is around 300 people.

"The house of the disabled residents has also been labeled with stickers. The goal is so that the surrounding community or the evacuation team in the field can immediately know the presence of disabled residents and prioritize their rescue," he said.

Slamet Triyadi stated that an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities will be distributed to stakeholders, the community, and disability groups. The hope is that this guide will be known by everyone so that everyone can prepare themselves in the event of a disaster. "We must be able to minimize casualties, including people with disabilities," he said.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

Chairman of the Indonesian Disabled Persons Association (PPDI) of Banjarmasin, Slamet Triyadi, spoke during the launch of the Kayuh Baimbai document, a joint draft of an inclusive disability disaster readiness guide, in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

Banjarmasin Mayor Ibnu Sina, in a speech delivered by the Expert Staff in the Field of Cooperation and Investment of the Banjarmasin Secretariat Iwan Fitriady, welcomed the implementation of the Kayuh Baimbai research project, which is based at the University of Leeds, England.

This project recruited 15 disabled individuals to conduct a survey regarding the existence and condition of disabled individuals in Banjarmasin. Subsequently, they produced a joint design and guide for inclusive disaster preparedness for people with disabilities, focusing on floods and fires.

"The launched guide is a strategic step in building disaster preparedness. With this, we ensure that no one is left behind, including our brothers and sisters with disabilities," said Ibnu Sina.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

The Kayuh Baimbai document, a joint draft of an inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities, is displayed at its launch in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Thursday (25/4/2024).

Be more prepared

According to Ibnu Sina, the Kayuh Baimbai project's vision is very noble. This research project not only creates guidelines but also supports the empowerment of disabled groups to have resilient and confident characters. This project sets an example for other cities and districts in creating a safe and inclusive environment for the community.

"We believe that this project can be a strong foundation to ensure that accessibility and inclusion are not just words, but can become a reality that can be felt together. Hopefully, this guide will make us more prepared in facing disasters," he said.

Also read: Earthquake Mitigation Begins to Be Strengthened in South Kalimantan

Iwan Fitriady added that the inclusive disaster readiness guidelines for people with disabilities that have been created will be followed up by other stakeholders. "Related local government task force units and other stakeholders will collaborate to follow up on this product so that it can be implemented and concrete steps can be taken," said Iwan.

The head of the Banjarmasin Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Husni Thamrin, stated that the risk of disasters in Banjarmasin is relatively small compared to other areas in South Kalimantan. Based on the history and potential of disasters, the three main disasters in Banjarmasin are floods, drought (land fires), and extreme weather (tornadoes).

"The inclusive disaster preparedness guide for people with disabilities will certainly be very helpful for us in handling disasters in the field. The priority when disasters occur is the evacuation of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, as well as women, pregnant women, children, and the elderly," said Husni Thamrin.