“According to the Humanitarian Inclusion Standards, there are several barriers that prevent people with disabilities and the elderly from participating meaningfully in disaster risk reduction (DRR) actions, such as attitudinal barriers, environmental barriers, and institutional barriers”. This is the opening narration delivered in the video introduction of the Indonesian participants in a series of training activities on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) organized by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) with funding support from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Two representatives from YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), Jessica Novia and Nanda Annisa Husni, were selected as the Indonesian delegation to attend the training held in Phuket and Bangkok from July 9-22, 2023. Two other representatives were representing the government sector, namely Aulia Biben from the Presidential Staff Office of the Republic of Indonesia and Stephanus Pongmakamba from the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS). The training was held specifically for participants from ASEAN countries, with other participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Jessica Novia is explaining about DRR in Indonesia

The objective of this second training is to develop recommendations for enhancing Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) in ASEAN countries. It involves creating content and knowledge for a handbook on Inclusive Disability Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) through a train-the-trainer process. The aim is to produce a handbook for trainers on Inclusive Disability Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR).

This training addresses the importance of involving people with disabilities in disaster preparedness activities. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and best practices in engaging people with disabilities in their respective countries. Additionally, the training covers fundamental concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR). Participants are guided to understand how people with disabilities can play a role in DRR activities.

The participants of the training came from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely; Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Based on the training results, here are some recommendations that can be implemented to enhance the involvement of people with disabilities in DRR activities:

• Increase awareness and understanding of the needs of people with disabilities. This can be achieved through socialization, training, and public campaigns.

• Improve accessibility and provide adequate facilities. This can be done by ensuring accessible facilities for people with disabilities, such as pedestrian paths, public restrooms, and public transportation.

• Address stereotypes and discrimination against people with disabilities. This can be accomplished through education and training, as well as campaigns to raise public awareness.

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This training is one of the efforts to enhance the understanding and capacity of stakeholders to involve people with disabilities in DRR activities.