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Banda Aceh, 21 Agustus 2024 – The Indonesian Development – Humanitarian Alliance (AP-KI) and the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) organized the Indonesian Localisation Conference and Asia-Pacific Local Leaders Summit from 19-22 August 2024, with the theme of "Uniting Efforts to Strengthen Local Actors in Humanitarian Response and Building Resilience" at Hermes Hotel, Banda Aceh. The event, attended by more than 50 institutions from both Indonesian and international communities, aims to provide a space to share best practices, challenges, and opportunities in bringing humanitarian aid closer to communities and ensuring a comprehensive, effective and humanitarian-based response to humanitarian crises.
The primary goal of this conference is to address humanitarian challenges both at the national and regional levels by ensuring the fulfillment of basic needs and protection and enhancing community resilience in facing prolonged crises. Participants at the event discussed steps to consolidate a more inclusive and just humanitarian sector.
One of the key recommendations from this conference is the agreement to establish a National Reference Group (NRG) in Indonesia. This group will serve as a platform for various humanitarian actors, including the government, civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s organizations, donor institutions, the UN, international NGOs, local actors, and affected communities to come together on an equal footing and seek joint solutions to the humanitarian challenges faced. The NRG is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s humanitarian ecosystem through improved coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Puji Pujiono from the Pujiono Center, as one of the convenors of the Localisation Lab in Asia-Pacific explained, "this national conference and summit is a momentum to ensure the fulfillment of global commitments to humanitarian localisation from international actors and strengthening the position and capacity of CSOs actors and networks". In the spirit of World Humanitarian Day and the commemoration of the recovery of Aceh from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, this conference reaffirmed the passion and meaning of the humanitarian system that centers on the role of local actors. This includes agreeing on the definition of localisation, supporting the recognition and strengthening of local leadership, and providing inclusive collaboration through strengthening local civil society organization networks and the establishment of the National Reference Group (NRG).
Amidst the ongoing development of democracy in Indonesia, local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including humanitarian and women’s organizations, have played a critical role in humanitarian response. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesian CSOs have successfully enhanced humanitarian effectiveness across the country. Collaboration and networks within the humanitarian sector are key to strengthening the capacity of local organizations to respond more effectively to humanitarian crises.
"The localization of humanitarian response is important because, with the support of local communities, local humanitarian actors are expected to provide more sustainable and relevant solutions to the needs of surrounding communities. Furthermore, inclusivity must be promoted to achieve local leadership in humanitarian efforts. Gender lens in humanitarian situations are essential and must be an integral part of everything we do. On the other hand, efforts to empower local actors must continue to be fostered to build a more resilient humanitarian infrastructure for the future," said Jemilah Mahmood, Grand Bargain Ambassador.
Khotimun Sutanti from the Association of LBH APIK, a core team member of the Women Local Humanitarian Leaders Consortium, added, "Localization is not only about bringing aid closer to those in need but also about ensuring that women’s perspectives and experiences are recognized. Women are one of the groups with multiple risks during crisis situations. We saw this during the 2004 Aceh tsunami when the number of female victims was four times higher than that of men. Gender-based violence also escalated in various disaster scenarios, such as in Palu and Cianjur, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In other humanitarian crises around the world, like in Palestine, 75% of the victims are women, and in Ukraine, 60% of the refugee demographic is women. This demonstrates that women, as a group often most affected, play a key role in leading disaster response and recovery. On the other hand, many initiatives led by women have had a significant impact on community resilience as non-humanitarian actors who serve as first responders. Therefore, strengthening women's leadership in humanitarian work can be a driving force for more inclusive and sustainable change."
ABOUT AP-KI:
The Indonesian Development – Humanitarian Alliance (AP-KI) is a coalition of eight (8) Civil Society Organization (CSO) networks in Indonesia, established to enhance coordination and effectiveness in humanitarian response and issues. AP-KI aims to strengthen inclusive and equitable humanitarian governance and advocate for sustainable localization principles in the humanitarian sector.
ABOUT NEAR:
The Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) is a movement of local and national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the Global South, rooted in communities with a shared goal of promoting fair, equal, and dignified partnerships in the current humanitarian aid system. NEAR currently consists of 56 members and focuses on local participation at all levels of development and disaster response to ensure effective aid delivery to those in need.
CONTACT PERSON:
Halida Irianti, AP-KI, Indonesia (+6281228832655)