Surviving in a Disaster! How Disabled People Deal With Natural Disasters: Toward an Inclusive Disaster Response (a Case Study From South Lampung, Indonesia)

Intersectional research into disability in disasters reveals a complex human phenomenon. Following interviews with local government, religious institutions and other stakeholders involved in disaster response, we have concluded that inclusive disaster response is still far from well-developed in South Lampung district. Using the 2018 tsunami as a case study, our analyses have argued that the response to disasters in South Lampung has not been conducted in a systematic and comprehensive way, in particular when dealing with disabled persons. Therefore, our paper has attempted to answer two critical questions: what is the appropriate and contextual, inclusive disaster response model for South Lampung? and what are the factors that need to be considered in developing the model? By using a qualitative interview approach, we have identified several problems around realizing the inclusive disaster response: lack of capacity of local government; lack of human resources; lack of technology; and lack of a disability database and information. Through the application of Ansell and Gash) collaborative governance theory, we offer a model showing that collaborative governance disaster response can be reached through fulfilling several conditions. Those conditions are increasing the disabilities participation in the decision-making process that related to disaster response, local government creating more initiatives to begin the collaborative work, and demanding NGOs and religious institutions play a more active role.