Profile & History

Resilient, Fair, Sustainable

YEU is rooted in community resilience, promoting inclusive disaster and climate action by upholding dignity, local wisdom and innovation.

Background

YEU is Here for Community Resilience and Inclusivity

YEU (YAKKUM Emergency Unit) is a humanitarian organization focuses on disaster response, climate resilience, and inclusive sustainable recovery since 2001. Rooted in the community and working alongside governments and partners.

YEU prioritises dignity and accessibility through leadership that grows from the most at-risk groups, such as women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and grassroots communities. YEU combines local wisdom with adaptive innovation in jointly designing rapid, inclusive, sustainable disaster preparedness and response efforts rooted in local knowledge.

Vision

Communities affected by disaster have the right to a dignified life and sustainable development, through the synergy of humanitarian services and community development through community-based transformative approach, accountability and quality performance.

Mission

Become the responsive and sustainable YAKKUM's unit in disaster management, based on strengthened networking in community organizing and strategic partnership, accountability, competency, character building and excellent delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Our Approach

How We Work with the Community

Empowerment of Affected Communities

Enhancing the capacity of affected communities through sustainable disaster programmes.

Resilience to Disasters & Climate Change

Strengthening programme quality and community resilience for sustainable development.

Transformative Development

Become the leading independent institution by adhering to the principles of good governance.

History of YEU

The Footprints of Humanity YEU

Foundation & Expansion Response

During this period, YEU established itself as an emergency response unit and began to build a strategic role in responding to humanitarian crises in Indonesia. From social conflicts in Nunukan and Ambon to major disasters such as the Aceh tsunami and the Yogyakarta earthquake, YEU demonstrated its ability to provide rapid responses, develop long-term assistance capabilities, and expand its network of cooperation with various national and international partners.

Strengthening Capacity & International Reach

YEU has expanded its impact through cross-border responses in Gaza and Myanmar, established the Disaster Oasis Training Centre as a disaster learning center, and strengthened accountability by joining the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP). The simultaneous responses in Mentawai, Merapi, and Wasior demonstrated YEU's capacity at the national level.

Global Standards & Strategic Collaboration

YEU strengthened its global engagement by collaborating with international partners in the Philippines (Haiyan) and Nepal on joint initiatives. In 2015, YEU joined the CHS Alliance, ensuring that all YEU programmes are based on inclusive and accountable global humanitarian standards.

Community Resilience & Global Crisis

The disaster response in Lombok and Central Sulawesi reinforced YEU's focus on inclusive recovery and community capacity building. In 2020, YEU adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing health services, vaccinations, psychosocial support, and assistance to at-risk groups, collaborated closely with YAKKUM units and local partners.

Global Collaboration & Leadership

YEU has strengthened its standing within the global humanitarian network by assuming a role in the organization of the ACT Alliance General Assembly 2024. This strategic move underscores its unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable humanitarian initiatives, while also bolstering its collaborative efforts and aligning its direction with global best practices.

Code of Ethics

Humanitarian mandates take precedence.
Assistance is provided regardless of the race, religion or nationality of the recipients and without discrimination based on any prejudice. Priority for assistance is determined solely on the basis of need.
The aid shall not be used to pursue the interests of any particular political or religious viewpoint.
We will endeavour not to act as an instrument of the government's foreign policy.
We will respect culture and customs.
We will endeavour to build a response to disasters based on local capabilities.
Ways must be found to involve recipients in the management of relief assistance.
Relief efforts must continue to strive to reduce vulnerability to future disasters while simultaneously meeting basic needs.
Kami mempertanggungjawabkan diri kami baik kepada pihak-pihak yang kami bantu maupun pihak-pihak darimana kami menerima sumber-sumber daya.
In our information, publication and advertising activities, we will always view disaster survivors as dignified human beings, not as hopeless objects.

The YEU Code of Ethics is a reference and set of rules that all staff must adhere to when carrying out their duties. These YEU ethical rules are compiled based on and refer to:

The participatory identification process of all staff and volunteers involved in humanitarian work.
Values that should be the benchmark for YAKKUM employees.
International Code of Conduct for Humanitarian Agencies.
Three Humanitarian Principles.

Based on field requirements and the dynamics of relevant parties (both individuals and groups related to YEU services and affected by YEU service programmes), the YEU Code of Ethics or Ethical Rules are formulated as follows:

A. Working with fellow YEU personnel

Respecting each other's religious and cultural differences and giving each other the opportunity to practise their respective religions and beliefs.
Respecting differences of opinion while upholding joint decisions
Discipline and punctuality
Must be able to maintain boundaries of normal behaviour between male and female staff in work matters.
No harassment and/or sexual relations outside of general ethics are permitted.
Husbands and wives are not permitted to work in the same institution, and siblings are not permitted to work in the same field or area of work within the same institution.
It is not permissible to use physical violence to resolve problems.
Protecting the privacy and personal rights of others
Cooperation is needed in carrying out tasks to achieve the institution's objectives.
Understanding duties, functions and work procedures
Open to criticism and suggestions
The existence of constructive, two-way communication, both horizontally and vertically
It is prohibited to incite, pit against each other, and/or provoke fellow personnel in a manner that could potentially cause division or conflict.
A rapid response to the programme is required.
Do not mix personal matters with work, and conversely, do not allow work to interfere with personal matters.
Prioritising the use of office facilities for work purposes
Communication between staff members in official internal forums shall be conducted in Indonesian and/or other official languages.

B. Working with Survivor Communities

Basic Ethics and Attitudes

Respect and adapt to the local culture, for example by dressing appropriately and not wearing excessive jewellery, smiling, greeting people warmly and understanding local customs (for example, not using your left hand when serving people in Aceh).
Be tolerant towards survivors who practise their religion
Be tolerant towards survivors who practise their religion
Respecting community leaders (traditional, religious or neighbourhood leaders)
Separating personal relationships with survivors and work responsibilities
Not expecting anything in return and accepting no reward of any kind from the person being helped
Not discriminating against those who are helped
Staff can blend in with survivors, avoid lecturing them, and strive to be good listeners.
Be punctual
Ask permission from the local community if you plan to stay in a barracks or village.
Not using aid as a tool to coerce or oppress survivors/communities in need, for example by demanding payment by force.

Programme Principles

Refugees/communities have the right to be involved in programme assessment and planning.
Ensuring the completeness and readiness of the materials and tools needed before implementing activities/programmes
Do not promise assistance to refugees before the assessment results and programme planning have been approved.
Service and assistance are prioritised for victims most in need, regardless of kinship, religious background, race, ethnicity, or social class.
Assistance is provided according to the needs of refugees
Must coordinate with community leaders or local traditional leaders in providing assistance
Not involved in the conflict that led to the disaster
Not using aid as a political and/or religious tool aimed at influencing the opinions of refugees or victims
The assistance provided is motivational in nature, not stifling the community's potential but encouraging its independence.
Refugees/communities have the right to monitor and evaluate the assistance provided.
Managing funds responsibly with valid proof of payment, through financial procedures applicable within the institution and in accordance with the needs of refugees.
Do not sell relief goods intended for refugees.

C. Interacting with Partners/Guests Visiting the Field

At least two weeks prior to arrival, partners must inform us of their visit and explain the purpose and objective of their visit.
YEU is responsible for explaining its past and future work programmes, but YEU has the right to refuse if a partner's visit is deemed to interfere with the implementation of the programme.
YEU provides information about customs/norms that apply in the local community before or during partner visits. This can be done through "Briefing Kits" prepared by the Information and Communication Staff.
YEU is responsible for providing information regarding the security situation and licensing procedures (when visiting conflict areas) but is not responsible for the safety of partners.
The partners' field assistants [in the assisted areas] are the Area Managers and/or Coordinators of the relevant fields or the information and communication department.
Partners must respect local customs and norms and treat refugees or communities as subjects with dignity.
Partners shall not promise any assistance or programmes to refugees or communities without the knowledge or consent of YEU.
Conducting debriefing meetings after fieldwork with the aim of facilitating discussions where partners can provide suggestions and input on the programmes that have been implemented and their development, and YEU can provide clarification if necessary.

D. Interacting with Other Institutions, NGOs and the Government

There must be verbal and written communication and coordination.
There should be clarity regarding the form of cooperation so that there is no overlap between programmes.
Ensuring that the process of the cooperation to be carried out is conducted in a transparent, accountable, efficient and economical manner.
It is not permitted to accept discounts or rewards of any kind from YEU partners/business associates that are the property of YEU.
The existence of limitations on the authority, rights and obligations of each party that have been mutually agreed upon
No negative competitive practices
Respect and appreciate other institutions, refrain from negative competition, and do not claim the work of other institutions as your own.
It is permissible to use the honorarium/salary, facilities or other forms of offers from other institutions as a reference, but it is prohibited to use them as a commodity that could cause conflict.

Any violation of the above Code of Ethics may result in sanctions, including reprimands, warning letters, or termination of employment.

All YEU staff members are required to sign a document stating their understanding of the YEU Code of Ethics and their commitment to implementing it.

Our Partners