Volume 16, Issue 10

OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal 

Flood disaster mitigation policy in strengthening social and economic resilience in Java island

Robben Rico 1, Muhammad Zilal Hamzah 2, Eleonora Sofilda 3
1,2,3 Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia.

Volume 16, Issue 10, Pg. 11-26, 2023

Abstract: Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and Java Island is particularly vulnerable to flooding due to its dense population, urbanization, and geographical location. Natural disasters cause huge losses both socially and economically. East Java Province ranks second with the most flood events in Indonesia. Floods have an impact on people (deaths, suffering), physical, and economic losses. Floods have caused enormous damage to the island’s economy, infrastructure, and human lives, highlighting the urgent need for effective flood disaster mitigation policies that can prevent or reduce the impact of disasters.

The social and economic risks and impacts posed by flooding need to be responded to by effective and resilient policies. Efforts to build resilience in line with the goal of reducing flood risk can be carried out through a combination of prevention, mitigation, and preparedness. Flood mitigation should not only focus on structural aspects but also non-structural aspects.

This research aims to: (i) Assessing flood mitigation policies in Java Island in strengthening the social and economic resilience of the community; (ii) Analyze the design of flood mitigation policies that are able to increase the social and economic resilience of the people in Java Island; and (iii) Proposing recommendations for flood mitigation policies that are able to increase the social and economic resilience of the people in Java Island.

This research uses a quantitative and qualitative approach. Secondary data in this study were obtained from government agencies and government data portals or other credible sources. Primary data were obtained through discussions with relevant sources/agencies. The expected results of this research are: (i) Evaluation of the flood mitigation policies in Java Island; (ii) Analysis and study as well as evaluation of flood mitigation policy designs that are capable of increasing the social and economic resilience of the people in Java Island; and (iii) Formulation of flood mitigation policy recommendations that are able to increase the social resilience and sustainable economy of the people in Java Island.

Overall, this research will contribute to the existing literature and government on flood disaster mitigation policies and their potential to enhance social and economic resilience. It will also provide insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and academics to improve the flood disaster mitigation policy in Java Island.

Keywords: Flood, Mitigation, Social Resilience, Economic Resilience, Java Island

Full-text paper download here

Watch list status on the special 301 report in the generalized system of preference from the United States of America

Anom Wibowo 1, Muhammad Zilal Hamzah 2, Freddy Harris 3
Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia.

Volume 16, Issue 10, Pg. 27-40, 2023.

Abstract: The report released by the United States Chamber of Commerce through the Special 301 Report, Indonesia has always received Watch List (WL) or Priority Watch List (PWL) status for 33 consecutive years since the report was first published in 1989. The impact is that Indonesian export goods will always find it difficult to enter the world export market. The purpose of this research is to: (i). Analyze and examine how stakeholder analysis is concerned with Indonesia’s priority watch list status in the special 301 report on the generalized system of preference facility from the United States; (ii). Analyzing and reviewing the implementation of the strategy carried out by DGIP regarding Indonesia’s priority watch list status in the special 301 report on the generalized system of preference facility from the United States; (iii). Analyzing and reviewing the impact of Indonesia’s priority watch list status on the special 301 report on the generalized system of preference facility on investment interest in Indonesia; (iv). Analyzing and studying the impact of Indonesia’s priority watch list status in the special 301 report on the generalized system of preference facility on export interest in Indonesia; and (v). Analyzing and reviewing the role of e-commerce on Indonesia’s priority watch list status in the special 301 report on the generalized system of preference facilities.

This research design uses a qualitative approach with the Grounded Theory type, including coding techniques. The data in this study was carried out through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) which involved stakeholders in accordance with the formulation of the problem that was built. The results concluded that: (i). Stakeholders (Regulators, Operators, Academics, and Associations) tend to have similarities in several aspects, namely the need for Stakeholder Synergy, HR Capacity Building, Technology Utilization, IPR Marketplace Registration, Reporting System Provision, Investigation & Prosecution, and Public Awareness; (ii). The government (DJKI) and other stakeholders must make efforts to be persuasive for IPR registration on the marketplace, cut off accessibility, up to the establishment of an IPR Team by Operators; (iii). Indonesia’s PWL status greatly impacts the investment aspect; (iv). PWL also has an impact on other aspects that can affect macroeconomic performance, such as the level of competitiveness, which ultimately affects exports, product prices, and tax exemptions; and (v). There is also a need for e-commerce awareness to protect products sold through its platform.

This research recommends increasing Indonesia’s ability to be trusted and finally getting out of the PWL list. This study also recommends a strong supervision aspect through the imposition of fines on e-commerce that violate regulations.

Keywords: Intellectual Property Rights; Priority Watch List; FGD, SLRs

Full-text paper download here

Climate change impacts on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Buhera District, Zimbabwe

Varaidzo Chinokwetu 1, Muchaiteyi Togo 2
1,2 Environmental Sciences Department, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,
University of South Africa, South Africa.

Volume 16, Issue 10, Pg. 41-54, 2023.

Abstract: Scientific evidence of a changing climate is unequivocal with enormous predicted negative impacts, not only on the environment, but also on communities, particularly the poor and vulnerable. The impacts will be more severe among communities with weather dependent and climate sensitive livelihoods. An understanding of how farmers experience and perceive the effects of climate change on their livelihoods can help in developing acceptable strategies for responding to climate and ecosystem changes. Developing innovative solutions to the changing climate is of paramount importance among vulnerable communities particularly because they are the ones who will be worst affected. This study investigates the experienced and perceived impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Buhera communal lands. Using a multi-method approach, data was obtained from a household survey of 114 randomly selected households, eight key informant interviews and two focus group discussions. A general decrease in rainfall and an increase in temperatures were regarded as the most significant climate parameters that have changed and have been affecting the farmers’ livelihoods. Climate change impacts on smallholder farmers are manifested in different ways creating a complex web of the perpetual vicious cycle of poverty. Findings show that the changing weather patterns have challenged the livelihoods of the communities through crop failure, livestock death, water scarcity and associated socio-economic problems. The study concludes that although impacts of climate change on farmers’ livelihoods are overwhelmingly negative, there are positive impacts in form of localised benefits in certain circumstances especially the drive towards livelihood diversification.

Key words: climate change, perceptions, smallholder farmers, livelihoods, Buhera

Full-text paper download here