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Indonesia

IFRC Donor Advisory Group visits Indonesia to spotlight community resilience and Anticipatory Action

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – This week, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Donor Advisory Group (DAG) begins its 2025 field visit to Indonesia, with a focus on locally-led humanitarian action, community resilience, and anticipatory approaches to disaster preparedness. The visit will take place from 13 to 17 October, spanning Jakarta, Banten, and Lombok.

The Donor Advisory Group serves as a strategic forum for dialogue between the IFRC Secretariat and its major donor partners, including both governments and National Societies. It plays a critical role in shaping shared priorities, strengthening collaboration, and supporting the IFRC network to respond effectively to local humanitarian needs.

This year, the IFRC Donor Advisory Group is co-chaired by the IFRC, the government of Sweden, and the Swedish Red Cross, with a thematic focus on anticipatory action, localisation, and financial sustainability of National Societies. Participating members in this year’s field trip to Indonesia include representatives from the governments and National Societies of Australia, Canada, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Jusuf Kalla, welcomed the delegates at the PMI Headquarters on Monday (13 October).

“Welcome to all our humanitarian partners. This visit will further strengthen our partnerships, broaden our shared learning, and open new opportunities for collaboration. Every partnership built with sincerity and a common purpose brings us one step closer to a world where no one is left behind,” said Jusuf Kalla.

Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, who is also part of the visiting team, added: “Indonesia offers a compelling example of how sustained investment in local institutions leads to long-term impact. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has, through sustained support by the IFRC, become one of the strongest National Societies in the Asia Pacific, showing how a locally-led model can deliver real resilience at scale.”

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing regular threats from earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and climate-driven hazards. Against this backdrop, the Indonesian Red Cross has evolved into a leading actor in disaster response and preparedness, able to respond nationwide within hours, while strengthening community resilience before disasters strike.

In 2025, PMI finalized its first Early Action Protocol (EAP) for floods, under the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). This milestone marks a significant step forward in shifting from reactive response to anticipatory action, allowing early, targeted support to at-risk communities before disaster hits. During the visit, DAG members will see how this approach is being translated into practice on the ground.

Field Visit Highlights:

  • Jakarta: Strategic meetings with the Indonesian Red Cross leadership, government ministries, UN agencies, ASEAN, AHA Centre, and anticipatory action actors.
  • Banten: Visit to PMI’s provincial branch to observe local partnerships, volunteer engagement, and financial sustainability efforts.
  • Lombok: Community level engagement featuring mangrove restoration, early warning systems, and nature based solutions.

This year’s visit will not only showcase the power of local leadership and volunteerism but also demonstrate how anticipatory action and strategic partnerships can protect lives and improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable communities.

For more information or to request and interview: [email protected]

To contact PMI:
Andreane Tampubolon, Head of Communications and International Relations Unit, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Email: [email protected]