The recent tropical cyclone Seroja, which left devastation in its wake, has drawn attention to eastern Indonesia, especially the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

NTT has long experienced some of the greatest development challenges in Indonesia, with more than 20 per cent of the population of the province considered poor—double the national rate.

This online forum panel brings together ANU graduates in Indonesia who share similar interests in NTT to assess the current situation in the province. Participants will outline the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Seroja, and how NTT is recovering, and discuss how local issues such as religion, economics, disaster and aid governance in NTT are relevant for the national and global arena. The event will be held on Thursday 27 May 2:30-4:30pm Canberra time (11.30am-1.30pm WIB).

The panel consists of four speakers:

• Silvia Fanggidae (ANU Crawford – Australia Indonesia Partnership for Disaster Risk Management (AIP DRM) will explore the multiple hazards and vulnerabilities that affect in NTT and the challenges of effective disaster management and social protection policies.
• Umbu Reku Raya (ANU Arndt-Corden – CREDOS Institute & University of Nusa Cendana) will share field notes from Seroja disaster responses in East Flores and East Sumba and strategies for livelihood recoveries for the most vulnerable people in the areas.
• Stella Hutagalung (ANU Anthropology – GESI Consultant) will discuss the lives of Islamic communities in what is a majority Christian province, and what can be learned about tolerance and peaceful co-existence from their experiences.
• Andrey Damaledo (ANU Anthropology – Artha Wacana Christian University) will explore the implementation of social safety net programs during the Pandemic and Seroja disasters in NTT.

Register now