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Building Resilience While Responding: YCWS’s Work in the Second Quarter of 2026

Building Resilience While Responding: YCWS’s Work in the Second Quarter of 2026

News, News Update·

Humanitarian work is often associated with moments of crisis: when disasters strike, displacement occurs, or communities need urgent assistance. Yet much of the work that makes humanitarian action effective happens long before and long after those moments. It involves building partnerships, strengthening local capacity, sustaining essential services, and learning from each experience to better prepare for what comes next. 

Between April and June 2026, YCWS continued this work across refugee protection, disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and partnerships, while laying the groundwork for new initiatives that will carry forward in the months ahead. 

Sustaining Protection, Building Resilience 

On the refugee protection front, YCWS secured continued funding from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to extend the PURE project through December 2026. The additional support enables YCWS to continue providing protection services for refugees and asylum seekers at a time when humanitarian needs remain significant and funding constraints continue to affect refugee responses globally.  

The extension also reflects a shared commitment between YCWS and UNHCR to ensure that essential support remains accessible for the remainder of the year. 

In disaster risk reduction, June marked the completion of the CLEAR project in Makassar, funded by the Australian Government through Act for Peace Australia. Throughout the project, YCWS and Yayasan INANTA worked with communities to strengthen preparedness through risk assessments, community action plans, contingency planning, anticipatory action protocols, and locally led climate adaptation initiatives. By the end of the project, CLEAR had reached 3,373 direct participants across four urban villages.  

At the same time, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded I-CREATE project, implemented through CWS Japan, entered its second year in Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara, expanding inclusive disaster risk reduction and early warning activities across all 13 target villages. Together, these two programs reflect what YCWS has consistently argued: resilience is not built through single interventions, but through sustained engagement with communities over time. 

New Programming and Emergency Response 

Looking ahead, YCWS secured the BASUDARA project, a new two-year initiative funded by the Australian Government through Act for Peace Australia, beginning July 2026. Implemented in partnership with Yayasan Sagu Salempeng in Ambon and Central Maluku, BASUDARA brings together peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, and livelihood support within a single program — reflecting the reality that in conflict-affected and disaster-prone communities, these challenges rarely arrive separately. 

When the earthquake struck Sigi, Central Sulawesi, in June 2026, YCWS and Persekutuan Pelayanan Kristen untuk Kesehatan Indonesia (PELKESI) secured funding through the ACT Rapid Response Fund to support 800 affected households. Under the partnership, YCWS leads the overall response and multi-purpose cash assistance component, while PELKESI provides health and psychosocial support.  

This marks YCWS’s first implementation of an ACT Rapid Response Fund project, providing important firsthand experience with the ACT Humanitarian Mechanism and strengthening YCWS’s capacity to respond to future emergencies through the same framework. 

Strengthening Local Capacity and Sector Engagement 

Partnerships remained central to YCWS’s work throughout the quarter. In collaboration with the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), YCWS supported the early strengthening of HONAI (Humanitarian Outreach to Need Assistance Initiative), a joint church-led humanitarian platform in Papua supported and facilitated by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI). HONAI was established to coordinate humanitarian assistance for internally displaced people and communities affected by conflict. During the reporting period, YCWS’s support focused on coordination, institutional development, and preparatory work to strengthen HONAI’s locally led humanitarian response capacity. 

Supporting locally led humanitarian coordination is an important part of strengthening preparedness and response systems. By contributing to institutional development and coordination mechanisms, YCWS is helping lay the foundation for more coordinated humanitarian assistance in Papua. 

Beyond program implementation, YCWS engaged with wider humanitarian and disaster management networks through the ACT Indonesia Forum, JICA Indonesia, AHA Centre regional forums, and local civil society networks, contributing to collective learning and coordination across the sector. 

Looking Ahead 

The second half of 2026 begins with new projects, an active emergency response, and programs entering critical stages of implementation. What the past quarter reinforced is something YCWS has long held to be true: the work that happens between emergencies— the planning, the partnerships, the quiet capacity building—is what determines whether communities are ready when the next one arrives. 

Until Everyone Is Safe: The Strength of Family in Displacement

Until Everyone Is Safe: The Strength of Family in Displacement

News, Stories Of Change·

For Faduma, safety is not defined by a place. It is found in the people she cares for every day. 

Originally from Somalia, Faduma has spent years navigating displacement alongside her younger sister, Caasha, and her daughter, Aamiina. Their journey has been marked by uncertainty, but also by resilience, care, and an unwavering commitment to one another. 

Caasha has lived with a physical disability since childhood. Daily activities that many people take for granted often require additional support, making displacement especially challenging. In Indonesia, Faduma helps care for her sister while also raising her daughter and managing the responsibilities of everyday life. 

Their story reflects an important reality behind this year’s World Refugee Day theme, Until Everyone Is Safe. For refugees, safety is not only about escaping conflict or persecution. It is also about having the support, stability, and opportunities needed to rebuild a life with dignity. 

Across the world, millions of refugees continue to live far from home, often facing prolonged uncertainty about what comes next. For families, this uncertainty can affect every aspect of daily life, from accessing healthcare and education to maintaining emotional well-being and caring for loved ones with specific needs. 

For families that include persons with disabilities, children, older persons, or individuals facing additional vulnerabilities, these challenges can be even greater. Yet family often remains the first and most enduring source of protection. 

For Faduma, that protection is expressed through everyday acts of care. Supporting her sister, caring for her daughter, and helping her family navigate life in displacement are responsibilities she carries with determination and hope. 

At YCWS, strengthening the well-being of refugee families is an important part of supporting protection and resilience. Through the EMPOWER project, funded by Week of Compassion (WoC), YCWS has supported nine refugee family units identified as Women and Girls at Risk (WAGAR), including siblings, mothers and children, and other vulnerable family groups. 

The support includes independent accommodation, healthcare access, education opportunities, and case management tailored to each family’s circumstances. The goal is not simply to address immediate needs, but to help families maintain dignity, stability, and a sense of control over their lives while navigating displacement. 

This approach recognizes that families are not passive recipients of assistance. They are active sources of care, protection, and resilience within their communities. 

For Faduma and her family, support has helped create space to focus on what matters most: caring for one another, maintaining hope, and planning for the future. Like many refugees in Indonesia, they continue to face uncertainty. Yet their story is not defined solely by the challenges they have experienced. It is also defined by perseverance, love, and the strength of family bonds. 

As the world marks World Refugee Day 2026, Faduma’s story reminds us that safety means more than physical protection. It means ensuring that people can live with dignity, access essential services, stay connected to their loved ones, and participate in shaping their futures. 

Until everyone is safe, the work continues. And for families like Faduma’s, that journey is strengthened by the care they provide to one another every day. 

Proyek CLEAR Buktikan Aksi Antisipatif Tingkatkan Kesiapsiagaan Warga Makassar Hadapi Banjir

Proyek CLEAR Buktikan Aksi Antisipatif Tingkatkan Kesiapsiagaan Warga Makassar Hadapi Banjir

News, News Update·

Proyek Community-Led Early Action and Resilience (CLEAR) di Makassar menunjukkan bahwa masyarakat dapat mengambil tindakan sebelum banjir terjadi ketika sistem peringatan dini dipadukan dengan aksi antisipatif berbasis komunitas. Temuan ini menjadi pembelajaran penting bagi penguatan manajemen kesiapsiagaan bencana di Indonesia yang masih didominasi pendekatan respons pascabencana. 

Dalam Lokakarya Pembelajaran Aksi Merespons Peringatan Dini (AMPD) Proyek CLEAR secara daring, Senin (29/6/2026), hasil proyek pengurangan risiko bencana kolaborasi Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya dan Yayasan INANTA menunjukkan perubahan perilaku warga yang positif. Alih-alih menunggu air masuk permukiman, masyarakat kini mengamankan dokumen penting, memindahkan aset, menyiapkan perlengkapan darurat, dan membantu evakuasi kelompok rentan begitu peringatan diterima. 

Urgensi pendekatan tersebut semakin besar mengingat banjir masih menjadi bencana yang paling sering terjadi di Indonesia. Berdasarkan data Geoportal Bencana Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), bencana hidrometeorologi mendominasi hampir 60 persen dari lebih 1.100 kejadian bencana yang tercatat secara nasional sepanjang 2026.   

Selama ini, masyarakat umumnya baru melakukan evakuasi dan penyelamatan aset setelah banjir terjadi. Akibatnya, bantuan yang datang sering kali terlambat dan tidak optimal dalam memberikan pertolongan ke warga terdampak.  

Program Manager Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS), Titin Rejeki, menyatakan pelaksanaan Proyek CLEAR sedari awal mengadopsi tiga pendekatan secara terintegrasi, yakni penguatan kapasitas masyarakat, uji coba aksi antisipatif berbasis peringatan dini, dan perluasan akses mata pencarian alternatif bagi warga terdampak banjir.  

Menurutnya, perubahan masyarakat yang lebih siap mengantisipasi bencana ini tidak terjadi secara spontan, melainkan melalui serangkaian intervensi selama tiga tahun. “Kami melihat masyarakat yang dulu hanya menjadi penerima informasi, kini menjadi penggerak utama pengurangan risiko bencana di lingkungannya sendiri,” ujarnya. 

Evaluator eksternal Proyek CLEAR, Hadrianus Edi Handoko, menambahkan bahwa perubahan paling mendasar dari proyek ini bukan pada kualitas sistem peringatan dini, melainkan pada perilaku masyarakat dalam meresponsnya.  

“Peringatan dini tidak cukup dan yang menentukan adalah apakah masyarakat dapat bertindak lebih cepat,” katanya.  

Menurut dia, Tim Kampung Siaga Bencana (KSB) di wilayah kerja Proyek CLEAR telah berkembang menjadi penghubung utama antara informasi teknis dan tindakan warga, melalui penyebaran informasi lewat grup WhatsApp dan pengeras suara, pendampingan evakuasi, serta komunikasi rutin dengan pemerintah kelurahan dan Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD). 

Kepercayaan Warga terhadap Komunitas 

Field Officer Yayasan INANTA, Amirullah, yang mendampingi pelaksanaan protokol AMPD di lapangan, mengatakan kunci keberhasilan pendekatan ini adalah kepercayaan warga terhadap Tim KSB sebagai bagian dari komunitas mereka sendiri.  

“Tim KSB adalah bagian dari kehidupan sehari-hari masyarakat, sehingga ketika mereka menyampaikan peringatan, warga lebih cepat percaya dan bertindak,” katanya. Ia menilai pembelajaran dari Makassar memberikan dasar yang kuat bagi pengembangan pendekatan serupa di wilayah lain.  

Berdasarkan survei terhadap 318 rumah tangga, serta wawancara mendalam, diskusi kelompok terarah, observasi lapangan, dan telaah dokumen program, terdapat peningkatan akses informasi peringatan dini, kesiapsiagaan rumah tangga, serta penguatan peran Tim KSB sebagai simpul pemantauan risiko dan koordinasi antara warga, pemerintah kelurahan, Dinas Sosial, dan BPBD. 

Perubahan tersebut didukung mekanisme aktivasi yang menggabungkan informasi prakiraan BMKG, peringatan BPBD, pemantauan curah hujan, serta tanda-tanda lokal yang dikenali masyarakat. Ketika indikator tersebut terpenuhi, Tim KSB bersama pemerintah kelurahan mengaktifkan protokol aksi antisipatif sebelum banjir diperkirakan terjadi. 

Selain memperkuat kapasitas masyarakat, Proyek CLEAR juga menghasilkan sejumlah perangkat pendukung yang dapat menjadi rujukan bagi daerah lain, seperti protokol aktivasi, prosedur operasional, mekanisme koordinasi lintas pihak, dan sistem dokumentasi. 

Proyek CLEAR berjalan selama tiga tahun, dari Juli 2023 hingga resmi berakhir pada Juni 2026, di empat kelurahan rawan banjir di Makassar: Katimbang, Paccerakkang, Manggala, dan Tamangapa. Proyek ini diimplementasikan oleh YCWS bersama Yayasan INANTA, dengan dukungan pendanaan dari Act for Peace Australia. 

Selama pelaksanaan, Proyek ini menjangkau 3.109 penerima manfaat langsung dan sekitar 85.452 penerima manfaat tidak langsung di empat kelurahan dampingan. Adapun dari sisi dukungan langsung, sebanyak 150 keluarga menerima dukungan dana kesiapsiagaan AMPD, sedangkan 150 pelaku usaha rumah tangga dan kelompok perempuan menerima hibah modal usaha untuk memperkuat mata pencarian alternatif, dilengkapi pelatihan pengembangan usaha. 

Evaluasi Proyek dan Arah Perbaikan Kebijakan 

Meski menunjukkan hasil positif, evaluasi terhadap Proyek CLEAR mencatat area yang masih perlu diperkuat sebelum pendekatan ini direplikasi lebih luas, di antaranya pelembagaan protokol ke dalam sistem pemerintah daerah, mekanisme pembiayaan yang dapat diakses sebelum dampak bencana memburuk, dokumentasi proses aktivasi yang lebih rapi, serta perluasan inklusi bagi kelompok rentan.  

Di tingkat warga, misalnya, sebagian masyarakat dilaporkan masih enggan meninggalkan rumah saat peringatan diterima. Sementara pada saat yang bersamaan terdapat tantangan prakiraan cuaca terkadang belum sepenuhnya sejalan dengan kondisi riil di lapangan, dan ketersediaan alat evakuasi serta tenda pengungsian masih terbatas.  

Secara keseluruhan, pembelajaran dari Makassar menunjukkan bahwa keberhasilan aksi antisipatif tidak hanya bergantung pada akurasi prakiraan cuaca, tetapi juga pada kesiapan masyarakat untuk bertindak sebelum bencana terjadi. Tantangan berikutnya adalah memastikan praktik tersebut dapat diintegrasikan ke dalam sistem penanggulangan bencana di berbagai daerah di Indonesia. 

Sementara itu, pemerintah menyebut temuan Proyek CLEAR sejalan dengan arah kebijakan nasional yang sedang dirumuskan. Asisten Deputi Penanganan Bencana, Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Pembangunan Manusia dan Kebudayaan (Kemenko PMK), Merry Efriana, menyatakan pemerintah tengah menyiapkan dua instrumen regulasi untuk pengarusutamaan AMPD pada periode 2026–2029, yakni Rancangan Peraturan Menko PMK tentang Strategi Nasional Aksi Merespons Peringatan Dini, dan Keputusan Menko PMK tentang Tim Koordinasi lintas Kementerian/Lembaga (K/L).  

Menurutnya, pembelajaran dari Proyek CLEAR, khususnya soal pentingnya protokol bersama, indikator pemicu yang terukur, dan koordinasi multipihak sejak fase perencanaan, menjadi referensi konkret bagi penyusunan kebijakan tersebut. “Keberhasilan aksi merespons peringatan dini ditentukan oleh protokol yang jelas, koordinasi pemangku kepentingan, partisipasi aktif, serta keberanian bertindak sebelum bencana terjadi,” ujarnya. 

Analis Urusan Kemanusiaan UN OCHA, Titi Moektijasih, menambahkan sejumlah kementerian dan lembaga di Indonesia sudah menunjukkan keterbukaan dan kolaborasi yang progresif dalam mendukung aksi antisipatif. Kemenko PMK dikatakan sebagai payung koordinasi lintas sektor yang paling aktif, sementara BMKG dinilai sangat adaptif dalam mengembangkan sistem peringatan dini untuk kebutuhan AMPD, dan BNPB berperan sebagai pengampu utama koordinasi penanggulangan bencana.  

Namun ia mencatat belum semua K/L berada pada tingkat pemahaman yang sama soal efisiensi aksi antisipatif dibandingkan respons pascabencana. Dalam hal ini, Titi menggarisbawahi bahwa Strategi Nasional yang sedang disusun Kemenko PMK, akan menjadi instrumen hukum penting untuk menyelaraskan komitmen antarlembaga agar implementasi AMPD berjalan lebih optimal di berbagai daerah. 

Beyond Waiting: Why Safe and Dignified Work Pathways Matter for Refugees

Beyond Waiting: Why Safe and Dignified Work Pathways Matter for Refugees

News, Stories Of Change·

Mustafa Ibrahimi left Afghanistan in 2014. He was not running toward something. He was running from danger. Like most people who end up as refugees, he left suddenly, with little certainty about what comes next. 

What came next, for Mustafa, was more than ten years in Indonesia. A month in Bogor. Transfer to Manado, where around 280 people shared a house built for a third of that number. Then 33 months in a refugee camp in Tanjung Pinang. Then years of uncertain waiting in a country where refugees have limited legal status and no clear domestic pathway to permanent settlement. 

In February 2026, that decade of waiting ended. Mustafa departed for Australia, accepted by a company to work as a stonemason. He described the day as one of the most emotional of his life. 

“I felt both happiness and deep sadness at the same time,” he wrote. “Happy because a new chapter was beginning. Sad because I had to say goodbye to friends who had shared many years of hardship with me.” 

His story is not typical. Most refugees in Indonesia do not have a story that ends this way, at least not yet. But it illustrates what labor mobility, at its best, can make possible: a dignified pathway forward for people who have spent years in uncertainty. 

For YCWS, labor mobility is part of a broader commitment to supporting refugee self-reliance and expanding pathways toward dignity and future opportunity. While humanitarian assistance remains essential, long-term solutions also require opportunities for refugees to use their skills, contribute meaningfully, and rebuild their lives. 

The Problem Labor Mobility Is Trying to Address 

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Refugees in Indonesia face significant restrictions on access to formal employment and long-term settlement opportunities. Many depend on humanitarian assistance while waiting for resettlement processes that have become increasingly limited and slow. 

The result is prolonged uncertainty. Many refugees have spent years, and in some cases more than a decade, waiting without a clear pathway forward. Yet throughout this period, they continue to bring professional experience, technical skills, and aspirations that remain largely untapped. 

Labor mobility is not a complete solution to these structural challenges. However, it offers one complementary pathway that can connect skilled refugees with legal employment opportunities in countries where work-based migration pathways are available. 

How YCWS Approaches Labor Mobility 

Since 2024, YCWS has supported labor mobility as part of its broader refugee protection and assistance work. The initiative is implemented in partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), an organization that connects skilled refugees with employers around the world. 

YCWS’s role focuses on outreach, information-sharing, candidate support, and protection-sensitive communication throughout the process. 

Community outreach activities have been conducted in Jakarta, Bogor Regency, Cisarua, Makassar, Medan, Ciputat, and South Tangerang, alongside online sessions that are accessible to refugees across Indonesia. These activities help refugees understand available pathways, eligibility requirements, and the realities of the process. 

YCWS also supports candidates in preparing documentation, navigating administrative requirements, and making informed decisions about participation. A key part of this work is expectation management. Labor mobility is presented as one possible pathway, not a guaranteed outcome. 

Strengthening Community Resilience Across Indonesia

Strengthening Community Resilience Across Indonesia

News, News Update·

Strengthening Community Resilience Across Indonesia,humanitarian response is often measured by what happens during a crisis. But long-term resilience is built long before disasters strike, through preparedness, local leadership, and systems that help communities protect one another.

In the first quarter of 2026, Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS) continued working alongside communities across Indonesia to strengthen disaster preparedness, support emergency response, and protect vulnerable groups affected by displacement and crisis.

Flood Response in Aceh Utara

When severe flooding hit Aceh Utara, access to affected areas became one of the immediate challenges. As floodwaters began to recede and roads reopened, YCWS, together with local partner Yayasan Geutanyoe, quickly mobilized emergency assistance to communities in need.

In January 2026, 561 households received clean water and water storage support, reaching 2,054 people across affected villages. The response also prioritized persons with disabilities, whose access to emergency assistance is often limited during emergencies.

Clean water remains one of the most urgent needs after flooding, especially when damaged infrastructure increases health risks and disrupts daily life. Through rapid coordination and local partnership, communities were able to receive support during a critical recovery period.

Building Resilience Before Disasters Happen

Alongside emergency response, YCWS continued strengthening community-based disaster risk reduction through the CLEAR and I-CREATE projects in Makassar and Malaka.

In Makassar, the CLEAR project worked closely with Urban Village Disaster Risk Reduction (UVDRR) teams across four kelurahan. A total of 87 team members participated in strengthening community contingency plans, improving evacuation procedures, and refining early warning systems.

Preparedness activities were designed to be practical and locally relevant. Through small grants and community-led initiatives, neighborhoods developed activities such as urban farming and waste management programs that support resilience in everyday life.

In Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara, the I-CREATE project supported the establishment of community-based flood early warning systems across 13 villages. The systems were developed collaboratively with local governments, religious leaders, and community groups to ensure that risk information could reach all residents, especially vulnerable groups.

YCWS also facilitated technical training in rainfall analysis, landslide monitoring, and QGIS mapping, helping local partners strengthen evidence-based disaster risk reduction and improve local decision-making.

Together, these initiatives reflect a broader approach to resilience. Communities are not only recipients of assistance, but active leaders in preparedness and risk reduction.

Supporting Local Humanitarian Responders in Papua

In Papua, where geography, conflict, and limited infrastructure often complicate humanitarian access, faith-based networks continue to play an important role in community response.

YCWS partnered with the Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja di Indonesia (PGI) to facilitate HONAI training for 20 church-based responders from conflict-affected communities. The training focused on humanitarian coordination, protection principles, and community-based response capacities.

The approach was grounded in a simple understanding: people closest to a crisis are often the first to respond, and they need practical tools and systems to do so safely and effectively.

Refugee Protection Through Community Support

During the first quarter of 2026, 441 refugees and asylum seekers accessed support through YCWS programs, with women and girls representing more than half of those reached.

YCWS facilitated 331 outpatient health con

sultations, case management for 37 gender-based violence and child protection cases, and continued access to antiretroviral medication for seven individuals requiring sustained treatment.

Beyond direct services, YCWS also strengthened refugee-led support systems. Sixty refugees served as interpreters, caregivers, peer mentors, and outreach volunteers within their own communities.

This reflects YCWS’s broader approach to humanitarian work: strengthening the capacity of communities to protect dignity, reduce risks, and build safer futures together.

 

Understanding GBV in Humanitarian Context

Understanding GBV in Humanitarian Context

News, Stories Of Change·

Understanding GBV in Humanitarian Context, When conflict uproots people, the danger they are fleeing often follows them. For refugees and displaced families, gender-based violence is not a distant risk. It can shadow every stage of their journey, threatening their safety, dignity, and even survival. 

Gender-based violence refers to harm inflicted because of socially constructed gender roles and inequalities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees defines it broadly, including physical assault, sexual violence, psychological abuse, and economic control. It can take many forms, from domestic violence and rape to forced and child marriage, coercion, and increasingly, online harassment. 

While GBV affects people of all genders, women and girls face disproportionate risk. Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, according to UN Women. And in humanitarian crises, those risks escalate rapidly. 

Displacement fractures protective systems. Families lose homes, livelihoods, and community networks that once offered safety. In overcrowded shelters with little privacy and limited access to services, vulnerabilities intensify. Economic stress, legal uncertainty, and prolonged instability can heighten tensions within households and communities. For many survivors, the collapse of support systems means violence becomes harder to escape and even harder to report. 

Therefore, understanding GBV in humanitarian settings requires looking beyond individual incidents. It means recognizing how crisis environments can deepen existing gender inequalities and create new layers of risk for those already displaced. 

How YCWS Tackles GBV 

At Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS), we know stopping GBV takes more than just reacting—it takes real change. We believe everyone deserves food, a voice, and a place where they feel safe. Since launching in August 2024, building on years of work in Indonesia, we’ve put community-driven prevention and survivor-focused care right at the center of our Refugees and Migration program. 

Alongside UNHCR, we run layered GBV programs that offer immediate help and long-term support. Our GBV Mentors—refugees trained as volunteers—are the first people survivors can turn to. They bridge cultural gaps and earn trust where stigma usually keeps folks silent. We run a 24/7 GBV hotline, offer counseling, arrange safe accommodation, and make sure survivors get medical and legal help. 

We also believe prevention starts with honest conversation. At Refugee Talent Program (RTP) centers and local gatherings, we hold trainings and discussions, even around topics people usually avoid. Everybody’s involved—men, women, everyone—because changing harmful beliefs isn’t a one-person job. 

16 Days of Activism Campaign 

In December 2025, for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, YCWS joined UNHCR and Refu+ure to host an art competition on Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV). Over six days, 26 artists used visual stories to share what OGBV means to them. Five of them showcased their work in Bogor, in front of teachers, students, RTP staff, and three of our GBV Mentors. 

One comic, in particular, got people talking—a story about a public figure whose video was leaked and faked with AI without her permission. That set off deep conversations about digital privacy, tech responsibility, and how to protect yourself when technology can easily fake intimate content. Afterward, a film screening helped everyone think more about how gender stereotypes in the community fuel violence. 

What really stood out? Men showed up too including three of the five featured artists. Their involvement sent a clear message: GBV isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s something the whole community has to face together. 

What We Learned and Achieved 

The 16 Days campaign brought some big lessons. First, representation is powerful. Our GBV Mentors, Samira and Hodan, said that public speaking training was a game changer for them. They went from quietly helping individuals to leading open discussions on topics nobody used to touch. 

Second, safe spaces make change possible. The art contest gave people a less intimidating way to talk about tough issues. Creative expression opened the door for conversations that might not have happened otherwise especially in places where GBV is a huge taboo. 

Third, survivors need clear, easy ways to get support. Our GBV Mentors offer immediate help and safety planning, but they noticed the need for stronger referral systems to specialized services. Right now, a lot of survivors still hold back because they’re afraid of stigma or don’t know who to trust. 

True Love Comes from Peace of Mind

True Love Comes from Peace of Mind

News, Stories Of Change·

Have you ever wondered what true love really looks like? It is not found in big promises or beautiful words. True love is tested in the hardest moments — when everything else has been stripped away.

My name is Raha. I am an asylum seeker in Indonesia who sought safety from my homeland.
While awaiting resettlement to a third country, a move I hoped would bring new hope, I married a man who instead brought only pain.
After surviving one abusive marriage in my homeland, I soon became trapped in an even harsher one in a country where I had hoped to find safety for myself and my sons.
I married someone who is more controlling, more violent, and crueller.

A month ago, I escaped from my abusive husband. My body was still marked by bruises, and my heart carried wounds no one could see. But on September 4, 2025, under the burning Indonesian sun, I held my eldest son’s hand as we walked to pick up his younger brother from school.

On that day, as my eldest waited for his younger brother, who was still in class, I brought him along to help me relocate to a safer place for us.

A safer place that I finally found after searching almost every day, spending nearly the entire day outdoors during the peak of summer, when the sun felt three times hotter than usual.

A safer place, in contrast to our former home, I chose to live in a densely populated area.

A place I’m certain my husband never expected me to settle.

I carried a bag of clothes on my back, a water container in one hand, and a mop in the other.

I asked my son to help me carry his school bag, the one he still hopes to use someday. Since our last relocation, we’ve been searching for a school for him, but as refugees, our opportunities to enrol in an educational facility remain limited.

The day before, I had already moved a stove, a carpet, and two more bags — all by myself, using buses and walking long distances. Each trip was heavy, but it was the only way to protect my children.

I was exhausted. But giving up was never an option. Because my children’s safety must come first. Their education, second.

Even knowing my abuser was still searching for me, I chose to keep moving forward.

That afternoon, as we walked together, my seven-year-old son asked me for a kite. I had no money — not even for food. I smiled and told him, “We will wait a little.” To him, it was just patience. To me, it was protecting him from fear and hunger.

I almost broke then. Tears filled my eyes. But I told myself, “It’s just dust.” And I wiped them away.

Those tears carried questions: Will I survive this? Is this more than I can bear? How long can I keep going? But I also whispered Alhamdulillah. Because I still had my sons. Because I still had hope.

My name, Raha, means peace of mind. Even in hardship, I hold on to that peace. I am a mother whose love is my strength. A woman who rises again and again — not because life is kind, but because my love is fierce.

This is what true love looks like. It is not easy. It is not comfortable. But it is powerful enough to keep us alive.

*Note: The name used in the story is not the original but was carefully chosen to have the same meaning in Arabic. This maintains the authenticity of the narrative while preserving the individual’s confidentiality.

YCWS and UNHCR Strengthen Coordination on Protection of Refugee in Indonesia

YCWS and UNHCR Strengthen Coordination on Protection of Refugee in Indonesia

News, News Update·

YCWS and UNHCR Strengthen Coordination on Protection of Refugee in Indonesia

Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya, in collaboration with UNHCR, conducted a coordination meeting on the protection of refugee women and girls in Jakarta, Tuesday (9/12/2025). The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), Offices of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (DP3A) and UPTD PPA from the Greater Jakarta area, Komnas Perempuan, the Women and Children Protection Unit (UPPA) of Bogor Regency Police, as well as civil society organizations. 

During the meeting, UNHCR highlighted several key barriers in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection cases within refugee communities, including: 

  1. Limited and inconsistent involvement of national and sub-national governments, child protection actors, and GBV service providers across different locations; 
  1. The need for clear guidance from KemenPPPA to technical units (DP3A/UPTD PPA) to enable them to handle child protection and/or GBV cases involving refugees. Currently, there is confusion among technical units, with the assumption that such cases should be handled directly by KemenPPPA; and 
  1. An increasing number of refugees in need of legal aid, case accompaniment, cash assistance, and access to safe houses, at a time when humanitarian funding is declining, resulting in reduced support capacity. 

The objectives of the coordination meeting were to: 

  • Strengthen coordination and develop a shared understanding of mechanisms for handling child protection and GBV cases involving refugees in Indonesia; 
  • Identify challenges and service gaps, and formulate next steps to improve access to protection services, including the integration of refugees into the national protection system; and 
  • Encourage a more active and structured role of the government in managing child protection and GBV cases involving refugees, while strengthening the technical capacity of government institutions to deliver comprehensive responses. 

KemenPPPA acknowledged that Indonesia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not yet have a refugee status determination system. Nevertheless, the Government of Indonesia remains committed to providing protection and support to refugees, as reflected in Presidential Regulation No. 125 of 2016, as well as existing national legal frameworks, including the Human Rights Law, the Child Protection Law, and the Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS Law). 

KemenPPPA emphasized the importance of cross-ministerial obligations and continued coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure that children in need of special protection are adequately supported. Women and children were highlighted as the most vulnerable groups in situations of forced displacement and at heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. 

The fulfilment of refugee children’s rights requires a multisectoral approach involving civil society organizations, as well as central and local governments, to ensure that their basic rights are upheld, that they are protected from violence and exploitation, and that they can access adequate services. These efforts should be aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ensuring that the best interests of the child remain a primary consideration in all services and interventions for refugee children. 

Partnership in Action: Monitoring Visit in Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara

Partnership in Action: Monitoring Visit in Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara

News, News Update·

Building stronger and more resilient communities is rarely the work of a single actor. It requires collaboration, shared learning, and hands-on engagement with the people most affected by climate-related risks. This spirit of partnership was at the heart of YCWS’s monitoring visit to Malaka, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), held this past week as part of the I-CREATE program funded by JICA. 

The visit brought together Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS), Church World Service Japan (CWSJ), Japan Conservation Engineers (JCE), and Perkumpulan Masyarakat Penanganan Bencana (PMPB) in a coordinated effort to strengthen local disaster risk reduction capacities. Over several days, the joint team conducted field activities designed to build practical skills while reinforcing the importance of evidence-based planning in flood-prone areas of Malaka. 

Technical Capacity Building for Implementation Partner 

Throughout the monitoring visit, technical specialists from Japan worked closely with the staff from PMPB and YCWS to enhance their practical skills in disaster risk analysis. The focus of the sessions was not on community training, but on equipping project implementers with the tools and confidence needed to independently lead technical components of the I-CREATE program. 

Takeshi Komino from CWS Japan introduced the team to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for disaster risk mapping. He demonstrated how GIS can both automate and validate the identification of risk spots previously recognized by the team in the field, helping PMPB and YCWS visualize vulnerable areas and prioritize where mitigation measures will have the greatest impact. 

In the field, Mayumi from JCE guided the team using levelling poles to measure flood-prone locations and the creation of terrain cross-sections. These techniques help project staff interpret how water flows across the landscape, identify critical risk points, and design more accurate and context-sensitive mitigation plans. 

The hands-on approach did more than build technical proficiency. It strengthened the capacity of PMPB and YCWS to apply science-based methods on their own—shifting from dependency on external experts to greater ownership of disaster preparedness processes within the project. 

Running alongside the technical sessions, YCWS facilitated a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) workshop with PMPB. This session reinforced the program’s monitoring systems, documentation standards, and accountability mechanisms, ensuring that evidence and learning from Year 1 are captured effectively to guide Year 2 implementation. 

The MEAL workshop also served as a structured reflection space—allowing teams to identify what worked, what needs adjustment, and how program continuity can be strengthened moving forward. 

Representatives from local government, YCWS, and CWS Japan gathered for the first-year district-level workshop of the I-CREATE Program in Malaka. Doc/YCWS.
Representatives from local government, YCWS, and CWS Japan gathered for the first-year district-level workshop of the I-CREATE Program in Malaka. Doc/YCWS.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration 

The monitoring visit culminated in a project defined “pre-Musrenbang kabupaten”—a consolidation meeting held prior to the formal Musrenbang or district-level development planning consultation workshop—that brought together approximately 80 participants representing local government agencies (OPDs) and community organizations across Malaka Regency. 

Following presentations from the Malaka Planning, Research and Innovation Agency (BAPPERIDA Malaka), PMPB, and CWSJ, participants engaged in focused discussions to align disaster risk reduction priorities with local development planning cycles. This integration is essential for ensuring that community resilience becomes embedded in formal government planning, not treated as a standalone project. 

Key Observations and Outcomes 

Overall, towards the end of Year 1 implementation, I-CREATE project has shown positive results and response from its relevant stakeholders. Initial insight from recent monitoring visit suggest that technical skill transfer is progressing well, particularly in the practical components.   

During the pole measurement and cross-section training, Vinnie, one of PMPB staff, shared that they learned a lot of detailed things through the field practice, not only by theory. She expressed appreciation for the depth of learning and hopes that these skills will later support risk identification and mitigation together with the village FPRB teams.   

Stakeholder engagement throughout Year 1 has also been positively received. The Secretary of Malaka Regency, Ferdinand Un Muti, referred I-CREATE as a “positive collaboration”, encouraging OPDs to apply workshop learnings to strengthen regional disaster preparedness.  

How CLEAR Program Builds Flood-Resilient Communities in Makassar

How CLEAR Program Builds Flood-Resilient Communities in Makassar

News, News Update·

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, the impacts of climate change are no longer distant concerns but lived realities. Recurrent flooding continues to disrupt livelihoods, strain public services, and place vulnerable households at risk. 

In late September 2025, something significant took place in four flood-prone urban villages in Makassar: Katimbang, Tamangapa, Paccerakkang, and Manggala. Community members, disaster response agencies, military representatives, and local government officials came together not to respond to an actual flood, but to prepare for one. 

These comprehensive preparedness simulations marked a critical milestone in the Community Led Early Action and Resilience (CLEAR) Program, implemented by Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS) in partnership with Yayasan INANTA and supported by Act for Peace Australia. 

Launched in July 2023, CLEAR is a three-year initiative targeting communities most exposed to recurrent flooding. With 3,412 direct beneficiaries and approximately 34,245 indirect beneficiaries across four sub-districts, CLEAR goes beyond traditional disaster response.  

It empowers communities to assess their own climate vulnerabilities, implement anticipatory actions before disasters strike, and access alternative livelihoods to reduce displacement risks. 

Community members gather in an evacuation center during the CLEAR Program’s flood preparedness simulation. Dok/YCWS.
Community members gather in an evacuation center during the CLEAR Program’s flood preparedness simulation. Dok/YCWS.

The Three-Step Flood Simulations 

The flood simulations followed a rigorous methodology proven to strengthen disaster readiness. First, groundwork. This means YCWS teams collaborated with communities and local governments to develop realistic flood scenarios, assign roles, and prepare equipment tailored to local contexts.  

Second, execution. In this extent, participants activated early warning systems, evacuated residents to designated shelters, established emergency response posts, and delivered first aid and logistical support under conditions mirroring real emergencies.  

Finally, evaluation which is refer to together with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and village governments, teams assessed coordination effectiveness, identified gaps, and refined contingency plans to ensure vulnerable members, including persons with disabilities and diverse gender identities, received appropriate assistance. 

Community volunteers join a flood simulation under the YCWS CLEAR program in Makassar. Dok/YCWS.
Community volunteers join a flood simulation under the YCWS CLEAR program in Makassar. Dok/YCWS.

Tangible Impact 

The results were significant. Communities gained clearer understanding of evacuation routes and self-rescue measures. Meanwhile, coordination between village authorities and technical agencies strengthened significantly.  

Beyond simulations, CLEAR has supported also the establishment and continued strengthening of Kampung Siaga Bencana (KSB) teams across four villages.  

The program has also helped develop key disaster management documents, such as risk assessments, action plans, and contingency plans, aligned with village-level strategies for flood mitigation.  

One of CLEAR’s key innovations is the piloting of Anticipatory Action, including early action protocols and fund-disbursement mechanisms that enable interventions before floods occur. 

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