48 harvest declines. This is due to changes in condition of nature, in this case water
availability in Batu Putuk. As a result of the drought, water availability begins to decline, but still sufficient for
the residents’ needs, although they must save the water. Based on FGD results of Batu Putuk residents, it is known that residents try to overcome water shortage by
finding or creating new springs. Another method is by getting ready to build water reservoir or to get water from mosques. If this condition is prolonged, drought can
trigger illnesses.
Meanwhile, strong winds usually occur in December. Almost every year, strong winds occur in this area. Based on the community’s knowledge, signs of this disaster
are rumbling sounds. If residents hear that sound, they prepare to go out of their houses and find an open location so they are safe from objects falling due to this
strong wind.
When strong wind occurs, usually many trees topple and roof tiles fall. Besides that, the impact of strong winds towards agricultural plants is the fruits fall off before
harvesting time. However, one of the advantages of this disaster is that there is much firewood from the falling branches.
Both drought and strong winds do not distract the residents’ activities of Batu Putuk. In this condition, residents admit that the electricity is undisturbed; it is still on and
can be used. The same goes with transportation, it is also undisturbed. Roads around the residents’ settlements are only obstructed by fallen trees and branches, but still
passable. Usually after strong wind occurs, residents clean up their neighbourhood with their own means so that their activities can run normally again. Educational
activities are also undisturbed. Children can still go to school as usual
4.3 Socio-Economic Impacts of Extreme Climate
4.3.1 Social impact
The occurrence of extreme climate events that causes floods or drought indirectly has the potential to change the order of the community’s social values. This can be seen
from residents’ mutual cooperation or kinship in handling problems that occur in the community, work relationships, production transactions patterns and other social
values. Patron-client work relationship describes the relationship between parties, where an individual with higher socio-economic status patrons provides benefits
based on hisher resources for someone with lower status client.
Based on the survey results, it can be seen that residents’ mutual cooperation and kinship in observed sub-districts still runs well. This is reflected in the residents’
opinion regarding assistance given by relatives and other community members when disaster occurs. Relatives and other community members referred here are those who
are not affected by the disaster. With their various social statuses, they can provide assistance to disaster victims.
49 Figure 4.1
.Assistance From Relatives and Other Community Members During Disasters in Observed Sub-Districts in Bandar Lampung, 2009
If we compare the amount of assistance from relatives to the amount of assistance from the community, the assistance received from relatives is relatively larger than
the assistance received from the community. For example, in coastal areas, assistance from relatives is 25.19 from the total of coastal residents, while assistance from
community is 22.96. The same pattern can be seen in non-coastal areas. From the data, it can be seen that assistance from the community is larger in coastal areas than
in non-coastal areas. This fact is supported by FGD results in Kota Karang and South Panjang sub-districts. The residents stated that when disaster occurs, the first thing
they will do is contact their neighbours. Neighbours live nearby, so it is hoped that they can provide assistance in a relatively short time.
From the above information it was revealed that disaster did not cause the community’s mutual assistance to be weakened, even in some observed sub-districts,
it became stronger. This is because basically the community’s economic condition is relatively equal, so when affected by disaster they suffer equally. In South Panjang
sub-district, the first effort done by the community when disaster occurs is having a discussion with family and neighbours to find solutions for the existing problems.
After that, they report it to the local RT. Using their own means, residents will try to overcome their problems together. For example, working together cleaning their area
after flood occurs.
In non-coastal areas there is a sub-district that has a relatively high level of community’s assistance compared to two other sub-districts. This sub-district is Pasir
Gintung. From the interview with the chairman of the local environment it was revealed that the large amount of community assistance was due to the many
community groups in this area. With these community groups, the level of mutual cooperation and kinship becomes high, especially during disasters. A disaster that
often occurs in Pasir Gintung is flood. This mutual cooperation and kinship behaviour does not only arise during flood disasters, the community also gives
mutual assistance during local disasters, such as deaths, collapsed houses or other disasters. FGD results state that residents in all sub-districts have a monthly
contribution of IDR 1,500.00 – 2,000,00month for death calamity. Besides during disasters, residents’ mutual assistance also occurs during parties, like wedding
parties.
50 Based on the above description, it can be concluded that areas having a relatively
high social cohesiveness in times of disaster are Pasir Gintung, South Panjang, and Kota Karang sub-districts. Residents in these three areas consider that the assistance
from relatives and the community in times of disaster is relatively higher compared to other areas.
The existence of the community’s social values can also be seen from the existence of patron-client work relationship that used to be part of the coastal communities
social lives. In Kota Karang sub-district current patron-client work relationships are described as follows:
“....around the 80’s being a fisherman was promising. At that time many residents became fishing boat owners. The fishing boat owners had many subordinates
fishermen. Almost all small time fishermen joined groups led by a fishing boat owner. They paid the fishermen to go fishing. Back then from just one fishing trip,
the fish caught could reach hundred kilograms, especially from trap net. But now, being a fisherman is not promising anymore. The number of fishing boat owners has
decreased. In RT 1,2, and 3 there is only one fishing boat owner and group.” M. Zabir, 63 years old, a resident of Kota Karang Sub-District
Now many fishermen are individual fishermen because of the disappearance of fishing boat owners. Now the life of small time individual fishermen is tough
because if they want to go fishing, they must cover all operational costs by themselves. Back then small time fishermen could easily loan some money to stores
or agents when wanting to go fishing. Usually they went fishing in the afternoon and returned the next day carrying lots of catch, so they could pay the money loaned. But
now small time fishermen are afraid to loan money, because the creditor is more careful in giving loans, and the fishermen also realize with sea condition at present
there is no guarantee they will bring home lots of catch to return the loan. The decline of fish caught is also caused by climate change, therefore climate change also
takes part in the decline of patron-client relationship in the society. This condition causes the society to be more vulnerable.
The impact of disasters on the social behaviours indirectly can also be seen from increase of crime in an area. Based on the survey, climate disasters affect the
occurrence of crime in the study area, where 1.6 of residents think that the number of crimes increases during flood disaster and 3.5 of residents think that the number
of crimes also increases during drought in their areas. The crimes meant are pick pocketing, burglary, robbery, and theft of valuables.
Thus it can be said that climate change causing disasters is potential to change social values and behaviours in a society.
51 Table 4.2.. Description of Impact of Disasters on Social Values in Observed Sub-
Districts in Bandar Lampung, 2009 .No
Description Current Condition
1 Helpingkinship system
Still exist: - Social relationship that is based on neighbor
or kinship relations - In difficult times, fellow residents can be
asked for help, not hired
2 Mutual cooperation
There is still cooperation among many residents of the sub-districts to solve certain problems considered
usefull for public interest. 3
Patron-client relations Declining.
4 Crime rate
Crime rate increases during flood and drought in their area
4.3.2 Economic Impact of Extreme Climate Events
