Flooding is a scourge for communities along the Citarum River, including in Rancaekek, Bandung Regency. Data from the West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) shows that there have been 10 flood events in Bandung Regency in 2024 as of 12 June. Recognising this, SHEEP Indonesia Foundation (YSI) together with Save the Children Indonesia (STC) and village communities in Rancaekek collaborated to increase community resilience to flooding through the development of a coordinated early warning system (EWS) between villages.
The first step in building the EWS was to establish a Landscape-Based Early Warning Committee/Forum (DAS Forum). This forum consists of representatives from villages exposed to flood threats in Rancaekek Sub-district. This forum became a forum for the community to exchange information and experiences related to flood disasters.
Before designing and building the EWS, YSI together with STC assessed the gaps and needs of the community regarding early warning systems. The results of the assessment showed that flood risk information was not fully known to all communities, especially the most at-risk groups. Monitoring and dissemination of information is also still not optimal.
Based on the results of the assessment, YSI together with STC and the village community formulated a strategy to fulfil the gaps and needs of the EWS. This strategy includes:
- Increased community knowledge about flood risks.
- Development of an effective monitoring and information dissemination system.
- Community capacity building in using EWS.
Following up on the assessment results, YSI and STC developed an integrated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EWS. This SOP contains instructions and guidance for communities in dealing with potential flooding, including:
- How to receive early warning information.
- How to act when there is a warning.
- How to evacuate.
YSI and STC also provided training to members of disaster preparedness committees as the frontline in assisting communities during floods. This training includes knowledge about flood risk, how to use EWS and how to evacuate. All activities that have been conducted will be followed up by installing EWS supporting instruments in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Citarum watershed. These instruments function to monitor river water levels and provide early warning information to the community. This early warning information will be disseminated through various channels, such as sirens, SMS, and social media.
