In Indonesia, where natural disasters are a frequent reality, the need for robust and compassionate humanitarian response is constant. From the devastating 2004 Aceh tsunami to the 2018 Lombok and Palu earthquakes and tsunamis, Tzu Chi volunteers have consistently been among the first to arrive, offering care and assistance. Beyond immediate relief, their work extends to long-term recovery, encompassing physical safety, peace of mind, and stable livelihood for survivors. This commitment to holistic support has grown from extensive experience, with Tzu Chi continuously learning and strengthening its emergency response systems through each event.

Empowering Communication for Healing

To further strengthen their capabilities, Tzu Chi Indonesia organized an "Emergency Response Volunteer Training" from August 16 to 17, 2025, bringing together 157 volunteers from across the archipelago. This training aimed to cultivate resilience and empathy in disaster response volunteers. Participants received an in-depth understanding of disaster management, both theoretically and through practical field exercises.

During the field simulations, volunteers were immersed in situations closely resembling actual disaster conditions, where limited resources and chaos demanded wise planning, rapid surveying, and swift aid delivery. These exercises honed not only their practical skills but also their ability to maintain compassion and wisdom in challenging circumstances.

Beyond practical skills, the theoretical sessions left a deep impression. One particularly touching session was led by Dr. Kimmy (Wang Suryani), a member of Tzu Chi Indonesia's medical team. Dr. Kimmy explained the critical role of empathetic words in disaster situations. She emphasized that a volunteer's role extends beyond providing logistical support or physical labor; it also involves bringing peace of mind to survivors.

Dr. Kimmy stressed that communication is vital in alleviating trauma. Simple, gentle words can reduce anxiety, stabilize heartbeats, and even reactivate the body's natural healing systems. Conversely, inappropriate words can worsen a survivor's psychological state. She advised against phrases like "Wow, this is terrible!" or "Don't panic!" as such negative language can reinforce fear and become deeply embedded in the subconscious. Instead, volunteers are encouraged to use calming phrases such as: "You are safe, we are here to help you," or "Stay calm, this will pass soon, you are not alone." These positive affirmations provide a sense of security in the crucial initial minutes post-trauma, significantly influencing the survivor's recovery journey.

To help volunteers develop effective communication, Dr. Kimmy outlined the CCREDIBLE model:

• C – Credibility: A volunteer's appearance and voice should convey calmness and reassurance.
• C – Confidence: Speaking with self-assurance helps survivors feel secure.
• R – Rapport: Building connection through eye contact, a gentle tone, and genuine care.
• E – Expectation: Fostering positive hope and avoiding negative language.
• D – Directive: Providing clear, positive, and specific instructions.
• I – Imagery: Using words that evoke positive mental images.
• B – Believability: Delivering accurate and reasonable information.
• L – Literal Interpretation: Avoiding words that could be literally misinterpreted negatively.
• E – Enthusiasm: An energetic and optimistic tone can be contagious to survivors.

Dr. Kimmy's experience in supporting survivors, from the AirAsia tragedy to the Lombok and Padang disasters, has shown that the presence of volunteers with calming words can accelerate both physical and emotional recovery. "In an emergency, one appropriate sentence can be the difference between chaos and calm, or even between prolonged trauma and the beginning of recovery," she affirmed.

Building National Resilience: Lessons from Japan

Abdul Muhadi, Ph.D., Head of the Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), shared his insights on disaster management from his experiences in both Japan and Indonesia. Abdul Muhadi joined BNPB in 2019, after pursuing his doctoral studies in tsunami engineering at Tohoku University, Japan, starting in 2009. Fate led him to experience the Great Japan Tsunami in 2011, which became a real-world laboratory for his research. After completing his Ph.D. in 2012, the Japanese government invited him to participate in reconstruction efforts until 2015.

In 2018, Indonesia was struck by the Palu and Krakatoa tsunamis, where early warning systems proved ineffective. This prompted significant concern from the President and led to a major evaluation. Consequently, Dr. Muhadi was asked to help strengthen Indonesia's disaster management system, officially joining BNPB in early 2020.

From his time in Japan after the 2011 tsunami, Dr. Muhadi noted several important observations. First, regarding casualty management, in the first two weeks, the Japanese government deployed its largest military force since World War II to focus on recovering bodies. The media were prohibited from displaying images of the deceased to prevent further public distress. Second, he observed the discipline of the community. In one evacuation center, 1,200 people shared only six toilets, yet they remained impeccably clean. School children voluntarily took turns carrying water to clean the toilets without being instructed to do so. Logistics distribution was orderly, with food aid distributed according to the registered number of evacuees, ensuring no one went without. Even in supermarkets, residents only bought what they needed, ensuring everyone had access to supplies. This spirit of mutual support and discipline enabled Japan to recover quickly from the massive disaster.

In Indonesia, the average economic loss from disasters such as floods, landslides, droughts, and earthquakes is 20 trillion Indonesian Rupiah per year, which can surge dramatically in the event of a major earthquake as many homes are not earthquake-resistant. For example, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Cianjur damaged 16,000 buildings, whereas in Japan, even stronger earthquakes cause less significant damage due to superior construction quality.

BNPB emphasizes the importance of pre-disaster mitigation, including disaster education through "Disaster Learning Centers" and "Disaster-Resilient Villages," strengthening homes to be more earthquake-resistant, and utilizing the InaRISK application for disaster risk mapping. In the emergency phase, BNPB plays a crucial role by mobilizing cross-agency resources, including the military and police; establishing emergency command posts as central hubs for logistics, information, and rescue operations; and simplifying procurement procedures to ensure aid reaches communities quickly without bureaucratic delays.

However, Dr. Muhadi stressed that community involvement remains key. Volunteers should not only respond after a disaster but also actively participate in pre-disaster education to minimize casualties. Indonesia cannot prevent disasters, but it can reduce their impact. Learning from Japan, which recovered quickly thanks to its citizens' discipline and robust systems, Indonesia is encouraged to build a sustainable "disaster-aware culture."

Disasters are not about culture, but about habituation. Systems must be built and continuously reinforced, so that society is always prepared.— Abdul Muhadi, Ph.D., Head of the Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)

Upholding Ethical Humanitarian Standards

During his session, Francisco Fernando, Disaster Management Manager at Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), highlighted the importance of implementing safeguarding and ethical codes in every disaster response. Fernando began by engaging participants, discovering that over half had direct experience in disaster relief, such as in Palu and Aceh. He emphasized that humanitarian work requires more than just good intentions; it must be founded on international humanitarian principles.

Fernando explained four globally recognized fundamental principles for humanitarian work:

• Humanity: Saving lives and alleviating human suffering.
• Impartiality: Aid is provided based on need, without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or social status.
• Neutrality: Humanitarian organizations do not take sides in any conflict.
• Independence: Humanitarian decisions and actions must not be influenced by external parties.

Safeguarding, according to Fernando, is an effort to prevent negative impacts on people and the environment within humanitarian programs. He cited an example from the Cianjur disaster, where well-intentioned donations of bottled mineral water left behind piles of plastic waste after volunteers departed. "Sometimes our good intentions can have negative consequences if not carefully considered," he explained.

At WVI, all staff and partners are required to sign a safeguarding policy. This policy covers the prevention of exploitation, harassment, and the protection of children from harmful practices like early marriage. WVI maintains a zero-tolerance stance on these violations.

Francisco also emphasized several crucial points for volunteers in the field:

• No exploitation in any form, including exchanging aid for sexual favors.
• Maintain healthy communication with children and vulnerable groups, both in person and digitally.
• Be mindful of local culture to avoid misunderstandings.
• Preserve dignity when documenting survivors or disaster situations, avoiding photos that explicitly show suffering.

We must not raise funds by selling people's suffering.— Francisco Fernando, Disaster Management Manager at Wahana Visi Indonesia

WVI provides various reporting channels for suspected safeguarding violations, from direct supervisors and call centers to special investigation teams. Cases are handled seriously, potentially leading to legal action. Accountability is also key. Aid recipients have the right to know who is providing assistance, the source of donations, and the type of support they will receive. WVI also encourages community participation in determining the form of aid to ensure it meets local needs.

As a child-focused humanitarian organization, WVI always ensures the principle of the child's best interests in every program. For example, they establish "Child Friendly Spaces" in disaster areas so children can continue to receive protection and learning opportunities in a safe environment.

At the end of the session, Francisco reminded everyone that no matter how strict safeguarding mechanisms are, the risk of violations remains. Therefore, individual awareness and collective commitment are paramount. "Working in the humanitarian field is not just about helping people, but also about protecting their dignity and safety," he concluded.

This emergency response volunteer training also represents a tangible synergy between Tzu Chi Indonesia, BNPB, and WVI. Tzu Chi has signed MOUs with both organizations, covering disaster management, health, education, and community development. Through this collaboration, disaster response in Indonesia is expected to become more coordinated, swift, and sustainable.

From Survivor to Volunteer

Despite the intensive training material, the participants' enthusiasm remained very high throughout the two-day program. The volunteers were grateful for this opportunity, hoping to carry this spirit into their future field work. They vowed that if their enthusiasm ever wanes, they would recall their initial purpose for joining Tzu Chi: to help others.

During the screening of a documentary about the Palu disaster, Masda, a volunteer from Palu, could not hold back her tears. She vividly remembered the devastating 2018 earthquake and tsunami that ravaged her hometown.

"I cried earlier. At that time, even rich people, with a lot of money, couldn't buy anything. Everything was cut off. So, I only hope Indonesia is safe and peaceful. I am grateful to Tzu Chi. Tzu Chi's help is very extensive," she shared.

Witnessing the sincerity of Tzu Chi volunteers helping the people of Palu deeply moved Masda, inspiring her to become a Tzu Chi volunteer herself. Although she is 58 years old, Masda firmly stated that she is ready to return to serve in disaster areas if her health permits. "God willing, if I am healthy, I am ready. But I also invite young people to join," she said, encouraging the younger generation to continue the work of love and care.

Written by Khusnul Khotimah

Translated by Mindy Chen (陳敏理)

Source: 印尼急難救助營隊 築起堅韌不拔的救災團隊