Humanitarian Aid Distribution in the Context of Human Rights-Based Approach Among Vulnerable Communities: Flash Floods and Climate Change in North Luwu, Indonesia

Abstract

North Luwu Regency in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, was struck by a flash flood in 2020, resulting in 38 reported deaths and 106 people missing. Additionally, 20,562 residents were forced to evacuate and were referred to as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The handling and protection of the affected community or IDPs in an emergency and a post-emergency period requires proper, integrated, and measurable management. The research done in North Luwu Regency, employed a qualitative approach and was conducted through observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with heads of villages and the officials, religious and local traditional leaders, NGOs, related agencies, and the IDPs. The findings of this study indicate that the policies regarding aid provision during flash floods are considered quite comprehensive, given that the region experiences similar disasters frequently. The findings also suggest that the implementation of IDP protection is comprehensive but encounters some challenges, including hindered aid distribution due to difficult access to disaster-stricken areas, non-targeted and non-centralised aid distribution, as well as the ineffectiveness of the random system for temporary housing for IDPs. In terms of perception, the community expresses satisfaction with the government’s performance in providing humanitarian aid and logistics, resulting in tangible impacts. Furthermore, no discriminatory practices based on religion, ethnicity/race, gender, background, or economic status were found in the aid distribution.