Yogyakarta, 15 May 2025 – YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU) in the IDEAKSI programme held a Workshop on Evacuation Mechanisms for High-Risk Groups on 14–15 May 2025. The event brought together 48 participants from various backgrounds, including Disability Organisations (OPDis), youth groups, the elderly, caregivers, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The workshop was facilitated by BASARNAS (National Search and Rescue Agency) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta with the aim of providing knowledge on evacuation during disasters and developing safe, effective, and inclusive emergency evacuation mechanisms, particularly for groups with high vulnerability such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and children.
"We do not want to see any more casualties among vulnerable groups due to inadequate evacuation systems," said Arnice Ajawaila, representing YEU. This commitment was reinforced by representatives from BASARNAS DIY, who shared their experiences in handling emergency situations and emphasised the importance of evacuations that take physical and psychosocial conditions into account.
The workshop was divided into thematic sessions such as basic evacuation principles, introduction to various types of disabilities, accessibility, emergency rescue techniques, and ethics in interacting with persons with disabilities. On the last day, participants also conducted evacuation simulations and first aid practices directly. This simulation served as an important learning tool for all parties involved, highlighting the real challenges and specific needs of at-risk groups during the evacuation process.
During the discussion, the spotlight was on the importance of encouraging self-evacuation by at-risk groups, rather than simply treating them as objects to be rescued. This reflects an approach based on individual rights and capacities.
Participants who attended also actively shared their experiences. Retta, a person with a disability low vision, emphasised that independent evacuation is entirely possible if accessibility support and appropriate assistive devices are available. According to her, "We just need to know the environment, know what to do and have the opportunity to speak up."
“Persons with disabilities have the right to be involved in decisions regarding their own safety. Do not treat them merely as recipients of assistance,” Hendry Hernowo, Chair of FIDAKAMA (Magelang Regency Disability Inclusion Forum)
A positive outcome of this workshop was the initial consensus to draft an inclusive evacuation mechanism document that will be referenced in contingency plans at the provincial, district, village and disaster cluster levels. This document will detail evacuation techniques according to different types of disabilities, realistic simulation scenarios and ethical standards for interacting with at-risk groups.
The results of the joint formulation will be shared and further consulted through the LDR (Elderly, Disabled and Other At-Risk Groups) sub-cluster. The final document is expected to become a national reference in ensuring that no one is left behind in emergency situations.
This workshop is not only about technical training, but also a concrete step towards building an inclusive, humane and participatory preparedness system. Through initiatives such as this, we are moving forward together to ensure that evacuation is not only about physical rescue, but also about respecting the dignity and rights of every individual.
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Author: Desy Putri R. – Information and Communications Staff