DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

8/7/2019 DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

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DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report of

Communities in Magelang District, Central Java Province Affected by

Mount Merapi Volcanic Eruption

10 December 2010


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Report by:

Tito Panggabean

DRR Program Manager

Bambang ErtantoEXCEED Deputy Program Manager

Intan Febriani

Emergencies Program Officer


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List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

BNPB National Disaster Management Agency

BPBD Provincial Disaster Management Agency

BPPKP Provincial Agriculture and Food Security AgencyBPS National Statistics Agency

CGI Corrugated Galvanized Iron

Dasawisma Group of 10 families managed by women

ECB Emergencies Capacity Building

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

HRNA Human Recovery Needs Assessment

IDP Internally Displaced Person

IDR Indonesian Rupiah (the national currency)

Jadup Governments compensation package for returnees

Kesuk 1 kesukof land is equivalent to 1,000m

PKK Government-initiated womens group in family empowerment and educationUSGS United States Geological Survey

Posyandu Mothers and Baby Health Clinic


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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Background

ObjectivesMethodology

Limitations of the Assessment

Assessment Result

1. Problem Summary

2. Pre-eruption Livelihoods

3. Impacts of Eruption on Livelihoods

3.1Impacts on Agriculture3.2Impacts on Livestock

3.3Impacts on Poultry and Fish

3.4Impacts on Labour

3.5Impacts on Market

4. Child protection concerns

5. Communitys Coping Mechanism

Recommendations


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Executive Summary

Mount Merapi volcano began erupting on 26 October 2010 spewing hot gas and

volcanic ash up to one mile high, affecting two provinces in Java island: Yogyakarta and

Central Java. Both provinces were unprepared for the big eruptions that took place

between 3-9 November 2010. It was the first time Mount Merapi eruption caused amassive displacement of people for an indefinite period. The number of IDPs anticipated

was 30,000 but more than 340,000 people had to be evacuated. Schools, government

offices, sports stadiums were soon overpopulated with people. Peoples livelihoods are

severely disrupted since the rural economy largely depends on agriculture.

This rapid livelihoods assessment report is part of the ECB joint livelihoods assessment

covering both Yogyakarta and Central Java. Save the Children focuses on Dukun sub-

district, Magelang District, Central Java. This report provides a snapshot of how the

eruption affected the peoples livelihoods in Dukun sub-district. The selection of

assessment area is based on the fact that it has the largest number of IDPs and is most

affected by continuous ash falls and flash floods even until the time of writing this

report. The following are key findings of this assessment:

Agriculture

Agriculture is the mainstay of Magelang District, Central Java, employing 43% of its

economically active adult population. The eruption has damaged 80% of food and cash

crops in Magelang District. Rice grains which were about to be harvested are now rotten

inside the husks, chili plants shrivel and die due to hot volcanic ash. This situation is

aggravated flash floods which have caused damage to irrigation channels, water pipes,

bridges and roads.

Livestock

The number of cattle affected by Mount Merapi eruption is 125,706 in Magelang.

Cattles that are still alive are losing weight and milk productivity. Having no income from

their cash crops, farmers were forced to sell their cattle for unreasonably low price to

wholesalers.

Poultry and Fish

All of the houses surveyed reported that 100% of their fish are dead, presumably due to

volcanic ash poisoning. Poultry and fish are important source of income and protein for

poor families who are landless and cannot afford cattle.

Labour

There is still no demand for daily labour to work in the farms. Land owners currently

have no farm produce to sell. A significant number of them are still indebted to pay

monthly installments to the bank or cooperative. As a result, poor farmers have no

income generating activity to hold on to. There is an indication that children have taken

jobs as sand miners.


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Market

Markets have not been physically damaged. However, prices in the markets have

increased 20-40%. This is largely due to difficulty in transporting items to and from

Yogyakarta and Semarang since the lahar flash floods disrupted the traffic. High demand

of items also contributed to the increase of prices. There is no scarcity of rice since it has

always been sourced from areas that are not affected by the eruption. Vegetables usedto be sourced from Magelang, but is now sourced from Kopeng and Salatiga due to the

eruption. Many markets in the villages are still closed while markets in the town, such as

in Muntilan have resumed its normal activities. In the villages, farm produce that can

still be salvaged from the fields or from previous harvest are valued in a low price by the

wholesalers. The peoples purchasing power is still very low at the time of writing this

report.

BackgroundBackground Information

After being dormant for four years, on 26 October 2010 Mount Merapi volcano locatedapproximately 15 miles north of Yogyakarta city in Central Java Province erupted several

times, emitting clouds of gas and volcanic ash up to one mile high. As of the 9th

November 2010, the eruptions have killed 151 people, hospitalised more than 380 and

displaced 343,909 people (www.bnpb.go.id) across nine districts in both Yogyakarta and

Central Java. As per 13 December, 15,366 are still displaced and it is unknown when

these people will be able to return home. The impact of this eruption has far exceeded

what has been prepared for.

BNPB has declared Mount Merapi eruption as a national emergency and extended the

emergency response period to 9 December 2010. Save the Children has responded by

distributing hygiene kits, clean up kits and delivering training for teachers in emergencyschool management and introduction to psychosocial intervention. Looking at how the

situation developed, it was deemed necessary to conduct a rapid livelihoods

assessment. Save the Children distributed 23 questionnaires and conducted semi-

structured interviews and FGD in Dukun sub-district, Magelang district.

Assessment Objectives

Provide information on agriculture-based livelihoods in affected areas before the

Mount Merapi eruption

Assess the impact of Mount Merapi eruption on the main livelihoods activities of

the affected population Provide recommendations for recovery programs

Methodology

This rapid livelihoods assessment is part of ECBs joint livelihoods assessment which

covers both Yogyakarta and Central Java Province. The assessment focuses on farmers

since they are the most affected group in this disaster. This report is based on Save the

Childrens observations, interviews and 23 questionnaires distributed in Dukun sub-


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district, Magelang District, Central Java. The assessment employed a qualitative

method whereby primary data is collected using semi-structured interviews with

farmers, women, children, agriculture department and influential local leaders.

Questions were agreed among the ECB members based on the FAO rapid livelihoods

assessment checklist. Two focus group discussions were held with male farmers and

women. The information was then analyzed using the Household Economic Approach.

The key questions include:

What are the varieties of peoples livelihoods before the disaster?

How has Mount Merapi eruption affected farmers?

How has the limited available resources affected childrens wellbeing?

What are peoples coping mechanisms to meet familys basic needs?

What are the existing capacities and opportunities to recover peoples

livelihoods?

Assessment Areas Ngasem sub-village, Gulon village, Salam sub-district

Candigelo sub-village, Ngadipuro village, Dukun sub-district

Joho sub-village, Dukun village, Dukun sub-district

Assessment Dates

15-16 November 2010

2 December 2010

Limitations of the Assessment

The four most affected sub-districts in Magelang are Dukun, Srumbung, Salam and

Sawangan. Save the Childrens assessment is focused on Dukun sub-district where

volcanic ash fall is most dense. It is also the area where SC has distributed relief items,

delivered teachers training and plan to implement recovery programs. ECB has agreed

to focus the rapid livelihoods assessment on farmer group since they are the most

affected livelihoods group. However, a more technical assessment will be required to

complement this assessment when the livelihoods program is going to be implemented.


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Assessment Result

1. Problem Summary

Communities reported farming as their primary livelihood source, employing 43% of theeconomically active population in Magelang. According to Magelang Districts BPPKP, up

to 80% of food and cash crops in Magelang have been destroyed by Mount Merapi

volcanic eruption. The continuous ash falls has adversely affected crops, resulting in

what the USGS categorize as thick (25-150 mm) and very thick (more than 150 mm)

burial of soils and plants. Rice fields and various crops are dead, non-woody plants are

buried, soil is sterile as it is isolated from oxygen.

Farmers - which constitute the majority of the population -have no source of income to

meet their basic food and non-food needs. Lands cannot be cultivated due to it being

covered by volcanic ash of up to 20 centimeters. Subsistent farmers cannot rely on their

rice fields for staple food, poor farmers who depend on day to day labour have lost their

jobs. The agriculture sector has collapsed and this condition is predicted to last until at

least the next six months. The BPPKPs recovery plan stated that the amount of time

required for rice fields recovery is 4-5 months and another three months to wait for

harvest time; for salak/snakefruits the time required is 14-18 months.

The table below describes the amount of agricultural loss in IDR1:

Economic Sector Magelang Sleman Boyolali

Tanaman bahan pangan

Food crops

1.5 T 1.294 T 1.4 T

PerkebunanPlantation 127 B 51 B 125.8 B

Peternakan

Farming (livestock)

189 B 258 B 659.5 B

Kehutanan

Forestry

96 B 8 B 37 B

Perikanan

Fishery

35 B 100 B 37.9 B

The exclusive zone has been relaxed from a 20 km radius to 10 km. Families are

returning home and they will no longer receive daily food ration as they did while living

in IDP camps. As a result, there is a higher threat of food insecurity. Families will return

to homes while their breadwinners remain jobless and their farms need at least six

months to recover and gain its productivity.

The BPPKP has stated that provincial government has no funds for the recovery phase.

BNPB has welcomed international assistance for rehabilitation and recovery phase.

1Kompas National Daily, 15 November 2010


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UNOCHA reports (7/11/10) that the impact on livestock is great. At least 696 dead

livestock including cows and dairy cattle have been recovered. 150 livestock have been

heavily injured, while 56 livestock have suffered some injuries. Furthermore, it is

estimated that at least 17,960 cows/dairy cattle, 175 buffaloes and 9,400 goats/sheep

have been left behind by evacuating farmers. Many farmers raising cattle have returnedto within the exclusion zone to tend to and feed their cattle. Whilst others have sold

them off at very cheap prices.

Poultry keeping has also been affected by the volcanic ashes. At least 138,140 native

chickens, 1.6 million layer chickens, 462,000 broiler chickens, 12,300 ducks, and 63,120

quails have also been left unattended due to the evacuation of the volcano.

The sides of the volcano prior to the most recent eruptions provided fertile lands for

farmers to grow crops and rear livestock, cattle and poultry. With much of the exclusion

zone covered in dense ash, crops are now unable to be harvested, crops including

banana trees have been destroyed by the weight of the ash and livestock has either

been killed or is unable to graze of safe land.

The loss of such assets will have a huge impact on families when they return and the

longer-term consequences include the inability to provide food for families, or have

sufficient income to provide healthcare or education for their families amongst others.


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2. Pre-eruption Livelihoods

Agriculture is the mainstay of Magelang District, Central Java Province, employing about

43% of the economically active population2.

Farming

Land ownership is the most important wealth determinant in the area. Most of thehouseholds surveyed own an average of 2 kesuks of land (1 kesuk= 1,000 m). The

better-off farmers can own more than 6 kesuks of land while around 13% of the

households surveyed are landless. Land certification in the area can be categorized as

follows:

Certified land: 56% of the households surveyed have their own land. Some of

these lands still do not have the official ceritification, and still bear the status of

girikland.

Rented land: One family can rent a plot of land owned by another family in

return for a 50:50 profit sharing.

Bengkokland is a plot of land owned by the village and cannot be sold offwithout prior approval from all members of the village. It can be rented out to

some members of the village or be cultivated by the village apparatus since they

do not receive any payment from the village.

Rice is grown mostly for family consumption, although some farmers also sell their rice

produce to wholesalers or the Talun Market. One kesukof land can yield four quintals of

rice which is valued at IDR 3,000 per kilogram. Rice is harvested twice a year. To

cultivate one kesukof rice field, a farmer needs around IDR 2 million, not including

labourers to work during planting and harvesting season.

For fertilizers, farmers purchase chemical fertilizers from local stores and mix it withorganic fertilizers from their livestock.

Table of the seed capital needed for 1 kesukof rice field:

Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

Plastic roll 2 roll IDR 450,000 IDR 900,000

Insecticide spray 1 bottle IDR 85,000 IDR 85,000

Fertilizer: urea 1 sack IDR 110,000 IDR 110,000

Fertilizer: ZA 1 sack IDR 150,000 IDR 150,000

Fertilizer: TS 1 sack IDR 150,000 IDR 150,000

Padi grains 10 kilograms IDR 30,000 IDR 300,000

Total IDR 1,695,000

Other than rice, chili is the most important crop since it gives the largest income to

farmers. Compared to tomato that is sold at IDR 1,200 IDR 2,000, chili can cost IDR

7,000 to more than IDR 13,000. The price of chili can fluctuate unpredictably depending

2Magelang in Figures, BPS, 2006


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on market demand and wholesalers. Farmers can earn IDR 4 million in one harvest and

IDR 15 million in the next harvest. Chili price usually increases drastically right before

Idul Fitri and when there is little supply but large demand such as the current post-

eruption period. Chili is harvested every 105 days. While waiting for the chili harvest,

farmers grow other crops such as long beans, tomato, onions. Planting two different

crops supplements the farmers income as well as the familys dietary diversity.

Affected but living outside the 20 km zone:

17% of the households surveyed live outside the 20 km exclusive zone. They were not

displaced because their area is safe from the hot gas but affected by the volcanic ash

falls and flash floods. Thus, their livelihood is equally affected as those living within the

20 km zone. Until today, the governments livelihoods recovery scheme is intended for

returnees living within 20 km. There is a risk that people living in these areas are

excluded from the governments recovery scheme.

Livestock

It is common for most middle-income and better-off farmers to keep at least one cow or

bull and more than two goats. The poorer households cannot afford cattle and keep fish

and poultry instead. Farmers buy cows and bulls when they were still less than 3 months

old at IDR 2.5 million. This is kept as savings until it matures and costs about IDR 10

million. Male goats cost around IDR 900,000.

Farmers take very good care of their livestock since it is usually their only form of

savings. Unlike crops (chili or onions), the price of animals do not fluctuate and can be

very high before Idul Fitri and especially Idul Adha celebrations. Cows are kept inside

their stalls just next to or behind the house and are stall-fed with grass, crop stalks andleaves. It is very expensive to replace a dead cow or to treat sick cows because their

productivity and thus value decreases drastically.

Cows are sold off when there is a need for a large amount of money such as house

renovation, the start of a school year or Haj3

pilgrimage.

Poultry and Fish

Poultry and fish are important for the poorer households since they are landless and

cannot afford cattle. One household keeps around 20 chickens one rooster and several

hens - and 100 fish. Poultry and fish are protein sources for the family and also a goodsource of income.

3Under the fifth Pillar of Islam, Muslims are encouraged to perform the Haj pilgrimage if they can afford

it. Muslims visit the Kaabah in Mecca to perform the Haj pilgrimage. After that pilgrimage, one can bear

the title Haji for male or Hajjah for women.


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The most common type of fish is catfish/lele. As a sample, one family in Candi Gelo sub-

village owns one fish pond containing 500 catfish which can be harvested 2-3 times per

year. Each harvest can give the family an income of IDR 480,000 for 40 kg of catfish

(catfish is IDR 12,000 per kg). This amount of money is expected to last for the next

three months until the next harvest. The best time to sell fish is right before the Idul

Fitri4

celebration.

Labour

To supplement their income, poor farmers work in other peoples farm for IDR 20,000

per day most commonly before the planting season and during the harvest. Daily

labour is paid more in house construction work and in the sand mines, i.e. IDR 30,000

per day. Manual sand mining is taking place in Keningar village where sand is then

transported to Semarang, the capital of Central Java.

4Idul Fitri is the biggest Islamic festival, celebrated after one month of fasting.


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The following tables shows an average familys income and expenses in Dukun sub-

district, Magelang district, Central Java:

Table of monthly income5:

Income

Source Quantity Unit Unit price

Income per

harvest Income per month RemarksRice

(1 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 3,000 IDR 1,200,000 IDR 200,000 harvest every 6 mont

Chili

(2.5 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 10,000 IDR 4,000,000 IDR 1,142,857 harvest every 4 mont

Tomato

(2.5 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 1,500 IDR 600,000 IDR 150,000 harvest every 3 mont

TOTAL IDR 1,492,857

Table of monthly expenses:

Item Amount Remarks

Child's school fee

(Junior High School) IDR 60,000Child's school fee

(Kindergarten) IDR 30,000

Child's daily transport

(Junior High School) IDR 96,000 IDR 2,000.- one way per day

Child's daily pocket money

(Junior High School) IDR 48,000 IDR 2,000.- per day

Daily meal IDR 600,000 IDR 150,000.- per week

Arisan6

1 IDR 10,000

Arisan 2 IDR 10,000

Arisan 3 IDR 15,000

Arisan 4 IDR 10,000

Arisan at child's school IDR 15,000 Paid daily

Debt payment

(for the farm) IDR 275,000 The family borrowed IDR 5 million from BRI bank

Annual school development fee IDR 33,333 Paid at the beginning of school year

Total IDR 1,202,333

5The monthly income described here is only an average. Farmers earn the money after every harvest and

the frequency varies depending on the commodity. The average monthly income described in the table is

just an average.6

Arisan is a form of group savings common among women in Indonesia. One group would consist of 5-

20 members. Every month, each member would deposit an agreed amount of money and everybody gets

their turn to withdraw the money until the cycle is completed. When a member is faced with an

emergency, it can usually be negotiated that she gets her turn first.


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3. Impacts of Eruption on LivelihoodsThis section examines the impact of Mount Merapi eruption on the livelihoods strategies

described above.

Number of livestock and size of rice field affected:Magelang

Number of livestock affected by Merapi eruption 125,706 livestock (cow, buffalo, goat, sheep)

Size of fish pond affected by Merapi eruption 174.77 hectares

Size of rice field affected by Merapi eruption 2,135.5 hectares

There is no significant shelter damage in the houses surveyed. Thick ash is scattered

inside the house, on the roof and in the gardens and repairs are needed since some

roofs made of CGI have fallen due to the weight of the ash. However, houses remain

inhabitable.

3.1 Impact of Disaster on AgricultureApproximately 80% of agricultural land in Magelang District is destroyed by the hot

volcanic ash and lahar floods.7

Since the first eruption, ash continues to fall up to three

weeks in 12 sub-districts in Magelang. The lahars turbulent current also overflowed

rivers and destroyed water pipes and crops.

As a result, 65% farmers have no remaining crop to be harvested. They have lost two

successive harvests, the current one and the next harvest since they are still unable to

work on the land. 35% farmers reported that they can rely on their standing crops and

wait for another two months for harvest provided there is no further ash falls.

Rice, chili and vegetables have withered and died. Salak/snakefruits, bamboo and

banana trees collapsed due to the weight of the volcanic ash. Farmers cannot cultivate

their land due to it being covered by volcanic ash of up to 20 centimeter. Subsistent

farmers cannot rely on their own farm for staple food, farm labourers have lost their

jobs.

The agriculture sector has collapsed and this condition is predicted to last until at least

the next six months. Separate interviews with farmers and Head of BPPKP reveal that it

will take two months to clear the land off volcanic ash and repair irrigation channels and

another three months to wait until harvest time.

Irrigation channels such as in Ngargomulyo village, Dukun sub-district is clogged by

volcanic ash and sand. In Srumbung sub-district, irrigation channels and water pipes are

reportedly destroyed by the turbulent lahar flow.

7Interview on 16 November with the Head of BPPKP, Magelang.


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Mt. Merapi eruption has also caused food insecurity for those who are not displaced but

whose farms have been destroyed during the eruption and those who have lost their

jobs due to the continuous volcanic ash rain, for instance shopkeepers and casual

workers who have no work while markets, shops, car workshops and various

commercial activities remain closed.

Peoples diet have changed from having three rice meals a day to eating less rice and

more cassava, taro and donated instant noodles. This kind of diet can cause children and

babies to be undernourished.

3.2 Impact of Disaster on Livestock

One of the most widely-publicised aspects of the eruption is how people are attached to

their cattle and that many people risked their life going to danger zones just to check if

their cattles are alive. Cattle is indeed an important source of income for households.

They serve as the familys savings that can pay for childrens education, house

renovation and down payment for buying motorcycle.

The Department of Agriculture reported that 125,706 livestock in Magelang are affected

by Mount Merapi eruption. At the time of assessment, there was no cattle death caused

by the hot gas. However, animals are in a very poor condition due to stress and lack of

proper feed. As a wide area of grass land is covered by volcanic ash, cattle are unable to

graze. To keep their cattle alive, farmers feed the cows and goats with banana and

jackfruit leaves. As a result, the animals have lost weight and milk production is

drastically decreasing.

A number of wholesalers took advantage of this situation and bought livestock for lessthan 50% of its normal price. A male goat that normally costs IDR 1 million is sold off at

IDR 400,000. In Tontro sub-village, Sumber village, it was even reported that several

days before the Idul Adha8

celebration, some male goats were sold at IDR 100,000. For

households who have lost their cattle, they will have lost their years of savings, source

of income through milk sales and access to milk especially for their children.

The government has announced that households will receive compensation from the

2011 budget for cows that are dead. As for the case in Dukun sub-district Magelang,

since no cow is dead, the government has committed to buy cattle that are still alive but

very ill. Veterinarians will decide whether or not a cattle can recover to its normalcondition. Even if this will take place, households still have to wait for several weeks to a

couple of months before cattle gain weight and able to produce milk at the normal

production rate. Out of 125,706 livestock, only 43,747 are cows and buffaloes and the

rest are goats and sheep. The deputy of Magelang Bupati has expressed doubt that the

IDR 100 billion budgeted by the national government would be enough to buy goats and

8Islam festive day whereby animals are sacrificed.


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sheep. This might create a new problem since there are more goats compared to cows.

And, more importantly, this could mean that wealthier farmers are targeted since the

poorer farmers usually own goats and cannot afford cows.

5% of households surveyed reported that animal cages need repair because bamboo or

salak trees collapsed on it.

Quote from farmer:

Our cow is our savings for bigger expenses such as childrens education and house

renovation. Now, we cannot expect them to produce anything. There is so little food for

them. We can only try our best so that they dont die. We cannot expect them to produce

anything. (Longgar, 46)

3.3 Impact of Disaster on Poultry and Fish

It is important to note that the poorer and landless households cannot afford cattle.Instead, they keep poultry and fish for their own consumption and as familys savings.

All of the households surveyed have lost at least three of their chickens and all of their

fish.

The Magelang Agricultural Department reported that 174.8 hectares of fish ponds are

affected by Mount Merapi eruption. Our assessment team visited Candi Gelo village in

Dukun sub-district where all lele (catfish) are dead, possibly due to poisoning. Although

no official laboratory test has been released, it is possible that acid, cadmium and

copper contained in the volcanic ash may have caused this.

Picture of a fishpond where all cattlefish are dead:

The government has not made any statement with regard to replacing dead poultry or

fish. As mentioned in the previous chapter, the poor households rely on daily labour

jobs and their poultry and fish as opposed to better-off farmers who own land, cattle

and have a second source of income. For poor households who have lost their poultry


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and fish, this means that they will have lost one major source of income and also source

of protein from the fish and eggs.

3.4Impact of Disaster on Labour

The poorest farmers are those who are landless and own only a small number of poultry

and fish. To supplement their income, these farmers take on daily labour jobs in otherpeoples farms, house constructions and sand mines. From these jobs, they earn IDR

20,000 to IDR 35,000 per day. Since the eruption, there is no demand for labour because

people are saving their money and prefer to do work by themselves. Moreover, the land

is still unable to be cultivated so the poorest farmers have no alternative income to fall

back on.

Shops, car workshops and restaurants in Muntilan town were closed for about three

weeks (between 3 November to 20 November) since the big eruptions took place.

People were also still living in the IDP shelters or with host families during that period.

As a result, these daily workers have lost around 21 days of work which could have

earned them IDR 630,000 which could support one familys basic needs for more than

one month.

3.5Impact of Disaster on Market

Markets have not been physically damaged. However, prices in the markets have

increased 20-40%. This is largely due to difficulty in transporting items to and from

Yogyakarta and Semarang since the lahar flash floods caused some damage to bridges

and inundated major roads. High demand of items also contributed to the increase of

prices.

There is no scarcity of food and non-food items in the markets. Rice has always beensourced from areas that are not affected by the eruption. Vegetables used to be sourced

from Sewukan, Banyuroto and Dukun. But since these areas are severely affected by

volcanic ash, vegetables are now sourced from Kopeng and Salatiga.

Many markets and shops in the villages are still closed while markets in the town, such

as in Muntilan have resumed its normal activities. In the villages, farm produce that can

still be salvaged from the fields or from previous harvest are valued in a low price by the

wholesalers. The peoples purchasing power is still very low at the time of writing this

report.

Table showing price increase in Muntilan market:Product Price before

eruption

Current price

Rice IDR 6,000 per kg IDR 7,500 per kg

Egg IDR 10,000 per kg IDR 14,000 per kg

Cooking oil IDR 10,000 per litre IDR 12,000 per litre

Sugar IDR 5,000 per kg IDR 6,250 per kg

Cauliflower IDR 1,000 per IDR 2,500 per


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bouquet bouquet

Morning glory

vegetables

IDR 500 per bouquet IDR 2000 per

bouquet

4. Child Protection Concerns

The main issues specifically related to children are food and nutrition, child labour andaccess to education.

While living in makeshift shelters, families are entirely dependant on external food aid

which too often contains very little nutrition value. Children who have returned home

with their parents are facing the risk of receiving insufficient food. Prices of food have

increased and head of households may prefer to spend money on their cattle and farm.

The loss of income on the poorest families i.e. daily farm labour could mean that they

cannot afford food at all. Health and nutrition among babies and children should be

given a high consideration. There is also a change of diet noticed among returnees:

Quote from women:Although Talun Market has opened, prices have increased. Our staple food has changed

from rice to cassava and taro plants. It is really difficult these days. Clean drinking water

is difficult because the water source is contaminated, water pipes are damaged. I have

not paid my childrens school fee for December and my monthly installment of IDR

275,000.- to the bank which was used for my farm. (Marti, 40, Sumber village)

Children are at the risk of being made to work in order to catch up with the decreasing

farm produce. Male children are facing a higher risk of being made to perform manual

labour in the sand mines. During the assessment, we found children who prefer to work

in sand mines rather than going to school. They can earn about IDR 100,000 in one day.Working in sand mines does not only stop children from attending school. It also

exposes them to the risk of: getting hit by a sudden lahar flood and working long hours

to mine two tons of sand in one day.

Families who have lost their income may not prioritize childrens education. Although

school fee in most state elementary schools are free, transportation, school books and

other extra payments may be required. Childrens education may not be the familys

priority before their house is habitable and their land is cleared.

Quote from children:

Since the eruption that night (3 November), our food is only instant noodles every day.

(Anissa, 8, Talun Village)


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5. Existing Coping Mechanism

External Aid

Until today (13 December), returnee families are still highly dependant on external food

aid and other logistic supplies. Families were given 1 kg of rice and other basic food

items when they left the IDP shelter; however this is only true for a very smallpercentage of families. Most families

9, especially those relying only on their farm, are

depending on external aid.

The governments capacity is overstretched. Krinjing village in Dukun sub-district were

given 13 crates of egg by the Magelang district government to be divided among 597

households; each household received three eggs. Mangunsuko village received 1.5

quintals of rice to be divided among 1,662 people; this supply will be finished in less

than one week. The head of Magelang Kesbanglinmas/disaster management centre

said that they only have IDR 500 million left which will be used for 1,000 people who are

currently still displaced and living in temporary shelters. Until today, there has been no

progress on the jadup10

which was promised by the provincial government.11

Local organizations in Magelang are contacting their networks to donate rice, water and

other basic needs which they will then deliver to affected villages. Returnee families are

also active in contacting different channels that may be able to provide them with food

and clean water. However, we have seen that the number of volunteers and ad hoc-

type organizations have dropped since people have resumed to their work or studies.

Moreover, there is now less media attention on Merapi since the alert status was

downgraded. People are therefore devising other coping mechanisms as described

below.

Surviving on Food Reserves

Some families can still live on the crop produce from the previous harvest such as rice

and maize. A change of diet has been noticed among the farmers. Families now eat less

rice and switch to cassava and donated instant noodles.

Loan

Most families save their money in the form of cattle. As a result, they do not have

enough liquid cash when an emergency happens. Even when their basic needs were

provided in the IDP shelters, families needed money for transport, animal feed and

childrens supplementary food. A lot of families owe money to their neighbours,relatives or wholesalers. One respondent said that so far he has owed his friend IDR 2

million about 33% more than his average monthly earning. In addition, farmers still

9The HRNA conducted by DRR Forum Yogyakarta where SC contributed 20 questionnaires reveal that

66% out of 440 households surveyed mention external food aid as their primary coping mechanism.10

Jadup is short for jatah hidup or the governments compensation package for returnees comprising of

0.4 kg of rice per person per day and IDR 4,500 for side dish per person per day.11

Source: Rp 1,4 Miliar untuk Beli Sapi, Kompas National Daily, 8 December 2010.


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have not paid off their bank or cooperative loans. There have been talks of writing off

these loans but there has been no confirmation to date.

Selling off asset

Many farmers in Dukun sub-district have sold their cattle to wholesalers for a very low

price. For example, a cow worth IDR 10 million is sold off at IDR 3.5 million. To them,this was a safer option to ensure that they have cash in hand while staying in the IDP

shelters. The government has promised to buy their cattle for a more reasonable price

but registration is still ongoing and it is still not clear as to when the money will be

disbursed by the government.

Mutual Cooperation

Gotong royong or the spirit of mutual cooperation is deeply ingrained in Javanese

culture. General village welfare is highly regarded, at times even more than personal

gain. During the 2006 Mount Merapi eruption, the community members worked

together to repair the irrigation channels. It was a work completed in one month and

during that period, the community members took turns cleaning the irrigation channel

every three days. In the current recovery context, a lot of work has to be done to repair

water sources that are vital to agriculture and the general wellbeing of the people.

People are depleted of their savings and thus cannot contribute in the form of money

needed to buy pipes, pumps and generators to revitalize the water sources. However,

people are more than willing to voluntarily carry out manual labour for the benefit of

their village.

Recommendations

Based on the interviews, peoples priorities once they return home are: 1) Cleaning their

house 2) Clearing their land to be able to be cultivated 3) Repairing the irrigation

channels.

Two main problems around livelihoods are identified: 1) Damage to land which is their

main source of income 2) Poor purchasing power. Based on our assessment, the

following interventions are recommended:

1. Food Distribution Distribution of staple food items would ensure food

security during the critical first three months when families return home.

Food supply would free around 50% of the familys income/savings so

families could focus on resuming their livelihoods activities and fulfillingchildrens basic needs.

2. Alternative Farming Subsistent farmers can make use of polybags to plant

crops in limited quantity, enough for household consumption. Polybag

farming has been applied in many areas in Java and other parts of Indonesia.

We have consulted two organic farmers in Yogyakarta and Magelang area

and it is deemed feasible for the current context. This alternative farming will

also benefit the communities in the long-run. Farmers will have the practical


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knowledge of organic farming which is cheaper and can be relied upon

should another volcano eruption take place in the future.

3. Cash For Work A CFW scheme would address the needs of the poorest

population who are entirely dependant on daily wage from being a farm

labourer. The CFW would also benefit the wider community through

repairing irrigation channel.4. Cash Transfer A cash transfer programming would support the

communitys livelihoods early recovery efforts. At the same time, it would

minimize coping strategies that may harm the family and childrens wellbeing

such as debt and taking children out from school to work in farms to increase

farm produce.

DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Documents

Transcript of DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report