Tsunami resilience: Multi-level institutional arrangements, architectures and system of governance for disaster risk preparedness in Indonesia

Institutional arrangements and governance are viewed as representing a critical cross-cutting theme that is growing in recognition in the Disaster Risk Reduction research community. Institutions strengthen resilience, yet there is a lack of systematic methodology and analysis of the role of multi-level and cross-scale governance and institutions in the context of disaster risk preparedness and Early Warning Systems (EWSs).This paper examines, discusses, and provides insights into disaster risk preparedness, particularly in the context of tsunami risk, through an analysis of formal institutions, architecture and systems of governance on the development of a Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) in Indonesia following the tsunami disaster shock of December 2004.It points out that previous tsunami disasters and crises did not trigger change and reorganisation in Indonesia. The findings indicate that conflicts and rapid decentralisation challenges act as hindering factors for disaster risk institutional change; however, major disasters can be an important trigger for change and reorganisation. There has been substantial effort and progress in building multi-level institutional arrangements, architectures, structures and governance to cope with natural hazard risks and disasters, particularly tsunamis, in Indonesia. The multi-level-polycentric architectures, frameworks, structures, and warning chain designed according to the decentralisation system are theoretically effective to cope with and build resilience for local and trans-boundary risks and disasters in Indonesia. However, it is becoming very clear that the full implementation of such institutions, architectures, and organisational arrangements represents the central challenge in Indonesia. The new institutional arrangement for DM financing guarantees the availability of funds as part of the National Action Plan for DRR; however there is still an over-emphasis on spending for post-disaster situations. Additionally, there is a need to improve the procedures and mechanisms for equitable and timely allocation of funds and resources at the local level.The future synthesis and integration of sectoral institutional arrangements (i.e. DM law and the Coastal and Small Island Management Law) should be seen as a very important step in developing national resilience to tsunami hazards and disasters in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia will be challenged to support and sustain such an effective TEWS based on its current system of governance, particularly from the social perspectives of governance.

► Disasters can be an important trigger for change and reorganisation. ► Substantial progress has been achieved in building institutional resilience to natural hazard risks and disasters. ► Multi-level-polycentric architectures are theoretically effective to cope and build resilience to risk. ► Full implementation of such institutions and architectures represents the central challenge.