Assistance expected by residents
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Mangunharjo Village Mangunharjo residents both male and female groups are willing to be resettled if the
disaster is severe, and there is no other alternative where the existing conditions require them to move and switch jobs for their own safety. But beforehand, residents
will still try to stay unless the condition is as described previously. In addition, residents still make various considerations, especially related to housing housing not
refugee camps, as well as decent jobs in accordance with the residents’ capabilities. However, if they could choose, male residents as breadwinners are more interested in
switching professions than being resettled to plateaus due to their different customs and their inability to adapt to conditions in the plateau.
Mangunharjo residents, both female and male groups are willing to attend a training program and community empowerment implemented by the government. The form
of training to be taught is training in developing residents’ skills used for making livelihoods. Examples of trainings for women groups are sewing, processing
fishpond and sea products making crackers, shrimp paste, nuggets, and others. While the desired trainings for male groups in Mangunharjo are crop cultivation and
fishpond culture trainings. The Mangunharjo womens groups will follow the training programs if they get permission from their husbands.
There is slight difference in forms of assistance expected by each group in Mangunharjo. The main assistance expected by the men is infrastructure
improvements such as repairing roads damaged by floods, because the main road is the main access to all daily activities such as work, education and other activities.
Also repairing Beringin River dike that was damaged during the flood and the height of the dike as an effort to anticipate another flood. While the main forms of
assistance expected by womens groups are daily necessities such as groceries the nine basic needs, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Also assistance in the form of
infrastructure improvements both roads and bridges. These differences occur because women are identical to daily needs.
Tanjungmas Village Suppose there is a huge disaster and the government suggested that the residents
should be relocated, the male residents are willing to move considering that they are given proper housing. Meanwhile, to change jobs, fishermen are not willing to do so
as it is related to their skills. Despite the training given by government to increase their skills, the fishermen are still unwilling to change the type of job considering the
length of time to learn. In addition, if they recall past experience, by changing jobs they obtain smaller income, and the work system should be according to the rules
that is unlike the usual work system done by the fishermen. As for the women, they are willing to be relocated, change type of livelihoods, as well as follow training
programs and community empowerment. However, this is sill based on their husbands’ approval. Form of assistance expected by Tanjungmas residents is in the
form of infrastructure improvements to support returning their daily life activities, and basic needs such as groceries and medicine.
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Tandang Village The residents’ desire in Tandang village is relatively similar to those of Mangunharjo
residents’. Tandang residents, both men and women, are willing to be resettled if the disaster is severe and highly required for their safety. Should the government conduct
training and empowerment programs, residents in general are willing to follow the program. Form of training desired to be taught is residents’ skills development
training that can be used as a source of livelihood.
Forms of assistance that are expected by male and female residents of Tandang village if there is disaster are in the form of basic commodities, medicines, clothing,
and shelter. Residents believe that those are the forms of assistance majorly needed by residents during disasters. After that infrastructure improvement consisting of
roads, bridges, improvement. Besides that, residents also expect assistance in the form of jobs. Residents admitted that their current job is uncertain, because in
general their current jobs are unfixed.
Rowosari Village Compared to the three previous villages, related to residents’ expectations of
government’s aid if there is severe disaster in the future, Rowosari residents gave different answers. From the discussion, residents said should there be any
government programs regarding relocation or job change, they chose to stay and were reluctant to join the program. One resident said that:
“......the program conducted by the government are only promisies, sometimes in reality it is not implemented”.
Therefore, residents never rely on government officials or the agriculture services to find solution for problems that they face during disaster. Most people thought that
the government is not quick enough to respond to their problems. In some cases, during the emergence of pests attacking residents’ crops, the agriculture services
came after the pests have been bothering the crops for sometime. And they did not provide a satisfactory solution. According to residents, all the officials did were just
observing it.
”......they took pictures of the crops and never returned....” This is the expression that came from a resident responding to the role of agricultural
services. Residents also tend to show a sense of apathy if they have to expect that the government will be able to bring changes in their agricultural activities. In addition
to their past experience, residents also consider that the natural conditions that happen is a destiny from Allah SWT, so it is impossible for the government to handle
it.
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