DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report of

Communities in Magelang District, Central Java Province Affected by
Mount Merapi Volcanic Eruption

10 December 2010
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Report by:

Tito Panggabean
DRR Program Manager

Bambang Ertanto
EXCEED Deputy Program Manager

Intan Febriani
Emergencies Program Officer
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

BNPB National Disaster Management Agency

BPBD Provincial Disaster Management Agency
BPPKP Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Agency
BPS National Statistics Agency
CGI Corrugated Galvanized Iron
Dasawisma Group of 10 families managed by women
ECB Emergencies Capacity Building
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
HRNA Human Recovery Needs Assessment
IDP Internally Displaced Person
IDR Indonesian Rupiah (the national currency)
Jadup Government’s compensation package for returnees
Kesuk 1 kesuk of land is equivalent to 1,000m²
PKK Government-initiated women’s group in family empowerment and education
USGS United States Geological Survey
Posyandu Mothers and Baby Health Clinic
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Background
Objectives
Methodology
Limitations of the Assessment
Assessment Result
1. Problem Summary
2. Pre-eruption Livelihoods
3. Impacts of Eruption on Livelihoods
3.1 Impacts on Agriculture
3.2 Impacts on Livestock
3.3 Impacts on Poultry and Fish
3.4 Impacts on Labour
3.5 Impacts on Market
4. Child protection concerns
5. Community’s Coping Mechanism
Recommendations
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Executive Summary
Mount Merapi volcano began erupting on 26 October 2010 spewing hot gas and
volcanic ash up to one mile high, affecting two provinces in Java island: Yogyakarta and
Central Java. Both provinces were unprepared for the big eruptions that took place
between 3-9 November 2010. It was the first time Mount Merapi eruption caused a
massive displacement of people for an indefinite period. The number of IDPs anticipated
was 30,000 but more than 340,000 people had to be evacuated. Schools, government
offices, sports stadiums were soon overpopulated with people. People’s livelihoods are
severely disrupted since the rural economy largely depends on agriculture.

This rapid livelihoods assessment report is part of the ECB joint livelihoods assessment
covering both Yogyakarta and Central Java. Save the Children focuses on Dukun sub-
district, Magelang District, Central Java. This report provides a snapshot of how the
eruption affected the people’s livelihoods in Dukun sub-district. The selection of
assessment area is based on the fact that it has the largest number of IDPs and is most
affected by continuous ash falls and flash floods even until the time of writing this
report. The following are key findings of this assessment:

Agriculture
Agriculture is the mainstay of Magelang District, Central Java, employing 43% of its
economically active adult population. The eruption has damaged 80% of food and cash
crops in Magelang District. Rice grains which were about to be harvested are now rotten
inside the husks, chili plants shrivel and die due to hot volcanic ash. This situation is
aggravated flash floods which have caused damage to irrigation channels, water pipes,
bridges and roads.

Livestock
The number of cattle affected by Mount Merapi eruption is 125,706 in Magelang.
Cattles that are still alive are losing weight and milk productivity. Having no income from
their cash crops, farmers were forced to sell their cattle for unreasonably low price to
wholesalers.

Poultry and Fish

All of the houses surveyed reported that 100% of their fish are dead, presumably due to
volcanic ash poisoning. Poultry and fish are important source of income and protein for
poor families who are landless and cannot afford cattle.

Labour
There is still no demand for daily labour to work in the farms. Land owners currently
have no farm produce to sell. A significant number of them are still indebted to pay
monthly installments to the bank or cooperative. As a result, poor farmers have no
income generating activity to hold on to. There is an indication that children have taken
jobs as sand miners.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Market
Markets have not been physically damaged. However, prices in the markets have
increased 20-40%. This is largely due to difficulty in transporting items to and from
Yogyakarta and Semarang since the lahar flash floods disrupted the traffic. High demand
of items also contributed to the increase of prices. There is no scarcity of rice since it has
always been sourced from areas that are not affected by the eruption. Vegetables used
to be sourced from Magelang, but is now sourced from Kopeng and Salatiga due to the
eruption. Many markets in the villages are still closed while markets in the town, such as
in Muntilan have resumed its normal activities. In the villages, farm produce that can
still be salvaged from the fields or from previous harvest are valued in a low price by the
wholesalers. The people’s purchasing power is still very low at the time of writing this
report.

Background
Background Information
After being dormant for four years, on 26 October 2010 Mount Merapi volcano located
approximately 15 miles north of Yogyakarta city in Central Java Province erupted several
times, emitting clouds of gas and volcanic ash up to one mile high. As of the 9th
November 2010, the eruptions have killed 151 people, hospitalised more than 380 and
displaced 343,909 people (www.bnpb.go.id) across nine districts in both Yogyakarta and
Central Java. As per 13 December, 15,366 are still displaced and it is unknown when
these people will be able to return home. The impact of this eruption has far exceeded
what has been prepared for.

BNPB has declared Mount Merapi eruption as a national emergency and extended the
emergency response period to 9 December 2010. Save the Children has responded by
distributing hygiene kits, clean up kits and delivering training for teachers in emergency
school management and introduction to psychosocial intervention. Looking at how the
situation developed, it was deemed necessary to conduct a rapid livelihoods
assessment. Save the Children distributed 23 questionnaires and conducted semi-
structured interviews and FGD in Dukun sub-district, Magelang district.

Assessment Objectives
• Provide information on agriculture-based livelihoods in affected areas before the
Mount Merapi eruption
• Assess the impact of Mount Merapi eruption on the main livelihoods activities of
the affected population
• Provide recommendations for recovery programs

Methodology
This rapid livelihoods assessment is part of ECB’s joint livelihoods assessment which
covers both Yogyakarta and Central Java Province. The assessment focuses on farmers
since they are the most affected group in this disaster. This report is based on Save the
Children’s observations, interviews and 23 questionnaires distributed in Dukun sub-
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

district, Magelang District, Central Java. The assessment employed a qualitative

method whereby primary data is collected using semi-structured interviews with
farmers, women, children, agriculture department and influential local leaders.
Questions were agreed among the ECB members based on the FAO rapid livelihoods
assessment checklist. Two focus group discussions were held with male farmers and
women. The information was then analyzed using the Household Economic Approach.

The key questions include:

• What are the varieties of people’s livelihoods before the disaster?
• How has Mount Merapi eruption affected farmers?
• How has the limited available resources affected children’s wellbeing?
• What are people’s coping mechanisms to meet family’s basic needs?
• What are the existing capacities and opportunities to recover people’s
livelihoods?

Assessment Areas
• Ngasem sub-village, Gulon village, Salam sub-district
• Candigelo sub-village, Ngadipuro village, Dukun sub-district
• Joho sub-village, Dukun village, Dukun sub-district

Assessment Dates
• 15-16 November 2010
• 2 December 2010

Limitations of the Assessment

The four most affected sub-districts in Magelang are Dukun, Srumbung, Salam and
Sawangan. Save the Children’s assessment is focused on Dukun sub-district where
volcanic ash fall is most dense. It is also the area where SC has distributed relief items,
delivered teacher’s training and plan to implement recovery programs. ECB has agreed
to focus the rapid livelihoods assessment on farmer group since they are the most
affected livelihoods group. However, a more technical assessment will be required to
complement this assessment when the livelihoods program is going to be implemented.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Assessment Result

1. Problem Summary
Communities reported farming as their primary livelihood source, employing 43% of the
economically active population in Magelang. According to Magelang District’s BPPKP, up
to 80% of food and cash crops in Magelang have been destroyed by Mount Merapi
volcanic eruption. The continuous ash falls has adversely affected crops, resulting in
what the USGS categorize as thick (25-150 mm) and very thick (more than 150 mm)
burial of soils and plants. Rice fields and various crops are dead, non-woody plants are
buried, soil is sterile as it is isolated from oxygen.

Farmers - which constitute the majority of the population -have no source of income to
meet their basic food and non-food needs. Lands cannot be cultivated due to it being
covered by volcanic ash of up to 20 centimeters. Subsistent farmers cannot rely on their
rice fields for staple food, poor farmers who depend on day to day labour have lost their
jobs. The agriculture sector has collapsed and this condition is predicted to last until at
least the next six months. The BPPKP’s recovery plan stated that the amount of time
required for rice fields recovery is 4-5 months and another three months to wait for
harvest time; for salak/snakefruits the time required is 14-18 months.
The table below describes the amount of agricultural loss in IDR1:

Economic Sector Magelang Sleman Boyolali

Tanaman bahan pangan 1.5 T 1.294 T 1.4 T
Food crops
Perkebunan 127 B 51 B 125.8 B
Plantation
Peternakan 189 B 258 B 659.5 B
Farming (livestock)
Kehutanan 96 B 8B 37 B
Forestry
Perikanan 35 B 100 B 37.9 B
Fishery

The exclusive zone has been relaxed from a 20 km radius to 10 km. Families are
returning home and they will no longer receive daily food ration as they did while living
in IDP camps. As a result, there is a higher threat of food insecurity. Families will return
to homes while their breadwinners remain jobless and their farms need at least six
months to recover and gain its productivity.

The BPPKP has stated that provincial government has no funds for the recovery phase.
BNPB has welcomed international assistance for rehabilitation and recovery phase.

1
Kompas National Daily, 15 November 2010
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

UNOCHA reports (7/11/10) that the impact on livestock is great. At least 696 dead
livestock including cows and dairy cattle have been recovered. 150 livestock have been
heavily injured, while 56 livestock have suffered some injuries. Furthermore, it is
estimated that at least 17,960 cows/dairy cattle, 175 buffaloes and 9,400 goats/sheep
have been left behind by evacuating farmers. Many farmers raising cattle have returned
to within the exclusion zone to tend to and feed their cattle. Whilst others have sold
them off at very cheap prices.

Poultry keeping has also been affected by the volcanic ashes. At least 138,140 native
chickens, 1.6 million layer chickens, 462,000 broiler chickens, 12,300 ducks, and 63,120
quails have also been left unattended due to the evacuation of the volcano.

The sides of the volcano prior to the most recent eruptions provided fertile lands for
farmers to grow crops and rear livestock, cattle and poultry. With much of the exclusion
zone covered in dense ash, crops are now unable to be harvested, crops including
banana trees have been destroyed by the weight of the ash and livestock has either
been killed or is unable to graze of safe land.

The loss of such assets will have a huge impact on families when they return and the
longer-term consequences include the inability to provide food for families, or have
sufficient income to provide healthcare or education for their families amongst others.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

2. Pre-eruption Livelihoods
Agriculture is the mainstay of Magelang District, Central Java Province, employing about
43% of the economically active population2.

Farming
Land ownership is the most important wealth determinant in the area. Most of the
households surveyed own an average of 2 kesuks of land (1 kesuk = 1,000 m²). The
better-off farmers can own more than 6 kesuks of land while around 13% of the
households surveyed are landless. Land certification in the area can be categorized as
follows:
• Certified land: 56% of the households surveyed have their own land. Some of
these lands still do not have the official ceritification, and still bear the status of
girik land.
• Rented land: One family can rent a plot of land owned by another family in
return for a 50:50 profit sharing.
• Bengkok land is a plot of land owned by the village and cannot be sold off
without prior approval from all members of the village. It can be rented out to
some members of the village or be cultivated by the village apparatus since they
do not receive any payment from the village.

Rice is grown mostly for family consumption, although some farmers also sell their rice
produce to wholesalers or the Talun Market. One kesuk of land can yield four quintals of
rice which is valued at IDR 3,000 per kilogram. Rice is harvested twice a year. To
cultivate one kesuk of rice field, a farmer needs around IDR 2 million, not including
labourers to work during planting and harvesting season.

For fertilizers, farmers purchase chemical fertilizers from local stores and mix it with
organic fertilizers from their livestock.

Table of the seed capital needed for 1 kesuk of rice field:

Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount
Plastic roll 2 roll IDR 450,000 IDR 900,000
Insecticide spray 1 bottle IDR 85,000 IDR 85,000
Fertilizer: urea 1 sack IDR 110,000 IDR 110,000
Fertilizer: ZA 1 sack IDR 150,000 IDR 150,000
Fertilizer: TS 1 sack IDR 150,000 IDR 150,000
Padi grains 10 kilograms IDR 30,000 IDR 300,000
Total IDR 1,695,000

Other than rice, chili is the most important crop since it gives the largest income to
farmers. Compared to tomato that is sold at IDR 1,200 – IDR 2,000, chili can cost IDR
7,000 to more than IDR 13,000. The price of chili can fluctuate unpredictably depending

2
“Magelang in Figures”, BPS, 2006
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

on market demand and wholesalers. Farmers can earn IDR 4 million in one harvest and
IDR 15 million in the next harvest. Chili price usually increases drastically right before
Idul Fitri and when there is little supply but large demand such as the current post-
eruption period. Chili is harvested every 105 days. While waiting for the chili harvest,
farmers grow other crops such as long beans, tomato, onions. Planting two different
crops supplements the farmers’ income as well as the family’s dietary diversity.

Affected but living outside the 20 km zone:

17% of the households surveyed live outside the 20 km exclusive zone. They were not
displaced because their area is safe from the hot gas but affected by the volcanic ash
falls and flash floods. Thus, their livelihood is equally affected as those living within the
20 km zone. Until today, the government’s livelihoods recovery scheme is intended for
returnees living within 20 km. There is a risk that people living in these areas are
excluded from the government’s recovery scheme.

Livestock
It is common for most middle-income and better-off farmers to keep at least one cow or
bull and more than two goats. The poorer households cannot afford cattle and keep fish
and poultry instead. Farmers buy cows and bulls when they were still less than 3 months
old at IDR 2.5 million. This is kept as savings until it matures and costs about IDR 10
million. Male goats cost around IDR 900,000.

Farmers take very good care of their livestock since it is usually their only form of
savings. Unlike crops (chili or onions), the price of animals do not fluctuate and can be
very high before Idul Fitri and especially Idul Adha celebrations. Cows are kept inside
their stalls just next to or behind the house and are stall-fed with grass, crop stalks and
leaves. It is very expensive to replace a dead cow or to treat sick cows because their
productivity and thus value decreases drastically.

Cows are sold off when there is a need for a large amount of money such as house
renovation, the start of a school year or Haj3 pilgrimage.

Poultry and Fish

Poultry and fish are important for the poorer households since they are landless and
cannot afford cattle. One household keeps around 20 chickens – one rooster and several
hens - and 100 fish. Poultry and fish are protein sources for the family and also a good
source of income.

3
Under the fifth Pillar of Islam, Muslims are encouraged to perform the Haj pilgrimage if they can afford
it. Muslims visit the Kaabah in Mecca to perform the Haj pilgrimage. After that pilgrimage, one can bear
the title “Haji” for male or “Hajjah” for women.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

The most common type of fish is catfish/lele. As a sample, one family in Candi Gelo sub-
village owns one fish pond containing 500 catfish which can be harvested 2-3 times per
year. Each harvest can give the family an income of IDR 480,000 for 40 kg of catfish
(catfish is IDR 12,000 per kg). This amount of money is expected to last for the next
three months until the next harvest. The best time to sell fish is right before the Idul
Fitri4 celebration.

Labour
To supplement their income, poor farmers work in other people’s farm for IDR 20,000
per day – most commonly before the planting season and during the harvest. Daily
labour is paid more in house construction work and in the sand mines, i.e. IDR 30,000
per day. Manual sand mining is taking place in Keningar village where sand is then
transported to Semarang, the capital of Central Java.

4
Idul Fitri is the biggest Islamic festival, celebrated after one month of fasting.
 DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

The following tables shows an average family’s income and expenses in Dukun sub-
district, Magelang district, Central Java:

Table of monthly income5:

Income Income per
Source Quantity Unit Unit price harvest Income per month Remarks
Rice
(1 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 3,000 IDR 1,200,000 IDR 200,000 harvest every 6 months
Chili
(2.5 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 10,000 IDR 4,000,000 IDR 1,142,857 harvest every 4 months
Tomato
(2.5 kesuk) 400 kg IDR 1,500 IDR 600,000 IDR 150,000 harvest every 3 months
TOTAL IDR 1,492,857

Table of monthly expenses:

Item Amount Remarks
Child's school fee
(Junior High School) IDR 60,000
Child's school fee
(Kindergarten) IDR 30,000
Child's daily transport
(Junior High School) IDR 96,000 IDR 2,000.- one way per day
Child's daily pocket money
(Junior High School) IDR 48,000 IDR 2,000.- per day
Daily meal IDR 600,000 IDR 150,000.- per week
6
Arisan 1 IDR 10,000
Arisan 2 IDR 10,000
Arisan 3 IDR 15,000
Arisan 4 IDR 10,000
Arisan at child's school IDR 15,000 Paid daily
Debt payment
(for the farm) IDR 275,000 The family borrowed IDR 5 million from BRI bank
Annual school development fee IDR 33,333 Paid at the beginning of school year
Total IDR 1,202,333

5
The monthly income described here is only an average. Farmers earn the money after every harvest and
the frequency varies depending on the commodity. The average monthly income described in the table is
just an average.
6
Arisan is a form of “group savings” common among women in Indonesia. One group would consist of 5-
20 members. Every month, each member would deposit an agreed amount of money and everybody gets
their turn to withdraw the money until the cycle is completed. When a member is faced with an
emergency, it can usually be negotiated that she gets her turn first.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

3. Impacts of Eruption on Livelihoods

This section examines the impact of Mount Merapi eruption on the livelihoods strategies
described above.

Number of livestock and size of rice field affected:

Magelang
Number of livestock affected by Merapi eruption 125,706 livestock (cow, buffalo, goat, sheep)
Size of fish pond affected by Merapi eruption 174.77 hectares
Size of rice field affected by Merapi eruption 2,135.5 hectares

There is no significant shelter damage in the houses surveyed. Thick ash is scattered
inside the house, on the roof and in the gardens and repairs are needed since some
roofs made of CGI have fallen due to the weight of the ash. However, houses remain
inhabitable.

3.1 Impact of Disaster on Agriculture

Approximately 80% of agricultural land in Magelang District is destroyed by the hot
volcanic ash and lahar floods.7 Since the first eruption, ash continues to fall up to three
weeks in 12 sub-districts in Magelang. The lahar’s turbulent current also overflowed
rivers and destroyed water pipes and crops.

As a result, 65% farmers have no remaining crop to be harvested. They have lost two
successive harvests, the current one and the next harvest since they are still unable to
work on the land. 35% farmers reported that they can rely on their standing crops and
wait for another two months for harvest provided there is no further ash falls.

Rice, chili and vegetables have withered and died. Salak/snakefruits , bamboo and
banana trees collapsed due to the weight of the volcanic ash. Farmers cannot cultivate
their land due to it being covered by volcanic ash of up to 20 centimeter. Subsistent
farmers cannot rely on their own farm for staple food, farm labourers have lost their
jobs.

The agriculture sector has collapsed and this condition is predicted to last until at least
the next six months. Separate interviews with farmers and Head of BPPKP reveal that it
will take two months to clear the land off volcanic ash and repair irrigation channels and
another three months to wait until harvest time.

Irrigation channels such as in Ngargomulyo village, Dukun sub-district is clogged by

volcanic ash and sand. In Srumbung sub-district, irrigation channels and water pipes are
reportedly destroyed by the turbulent lahar flow.

7
Interview on 16 November with the Head of BPPKP, Magelang.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

Mt. Merapi eruption has also caused food insecurity for those who are not displaced but
whose farms have been destroyed during the eruption and those who have lost their
jobs due to the continuous volcanic ash rain, for instance shopkeepers and casual
workers who have no work while markets, shops, car workshops and various
commercial activities remain closed.

People’s diet have changed from having three rice meals a day to eating less rice and
more cassava, taro and donated instant noodles. This kind of diet can cause children and
babies to be undernourished.

3.2 Impact of Disaster on Livestock

One of the most widely-publicised aspects of the eruption is how people are attached to
their cattle and that many people risked their life going to danger zones just to check if
their cattles are alive. Cattle is indeed an important source of income for households.
They serve as the family’s savings that can pay for children’s education, house
renovation and down payment for buying motorcycle.

The Department of Agriculture reported that 125,706 livestock in Magelang are affected
by Mount Merapi eruption. At the time of assessment, there was no cattle death caused
by the hot gas. However, animals are in a very poor condition due to stress and lack of
proper feed. As a wide area of grass land is covered by volcanic ash, cattle are unable to
graze. To keep their cattle alive, farmers feed the cows and goats with banana and
jackfruit leaves. As a result, the animals have lost weight and milk production is
drastically decreasing.

A number of wholesalers took advantage of this situation and bought livestock for less
than 50% of its normal price. A male goat that normally costs IDR 1 million is sold off at
IDR 400,000. In Tontro sub-village, Sumber village, it was even reported that several
days before the Idul Adha8 celebration, some male goats were sold at IDR 100,000. For
households who have lost their cattle, they will have lost their years of savings, source
of income through milk sales and access to milk especially for their children.

The government has announced that households will receive compensation from the
2011 budget for cows that are dead. As for the case in Dukun sub-district Magelang,
since no cow is dead, the government has committed to buy cattle that are still alive but
very ill. Veterinarians will decide whether or not a cattle can recover to its normal
condition. Even if this will take place, households still have to wait for several weeks to a
couple of months before cattle gain weight and able to produce milk at the normal
production rate. Out of 125,706 livestock, only 43,747 are cows and buffaloes and the
rest are goats and sheep. The deputy of Magelang Bupati has expressed doubt that the
IDR 100 billion budgeted by the national government would be enough to buy goats and

8
Islam festive day whereby animals are sacrificed.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

sheep. This might create a new problem since there are more goats compared to cows.
And, more importantly, this could mean that wealthier farmers are targeted since the
poorer farmers usually own goats and cannot afford cows.

5% of households surveyed reported that animal cages need repair because bamboo or
salak trees collapsed on it.

Quote from farmer:

“Our cow is our savings for bigger expenses such as children’s education and house
renovation. Now, we cannot expect them to produce anything. There is so little food for
them. We can only try our best so that they don’t die. We cannot expect them to produce
anything.” (Longgar, 46)

3.3 Impact of Disaster on Poultry and Fish

It is important to note that the poorer and landless households cannot afford cattle.
Instead, they keep poultry and fish for their own consumption and as family’s savings.
All of the households surveyed have lost at least three of their chickens and all of their
fish.

The Magelang Agricultural Department reported that 174.8 hectares of fish ponds are
affected by Mount Merapi eruption. Our assessment team visited Candi Gelo village in
Dukun sub-district where all lele (catfish) are dead, possibly due to poisoning. Although
no official laboratory test has been released, it is possible that acid, cadmium and
copper contained in the volcanic ash may have caused this.
Picture of a fishpond where all cattlefish are dead:

The government has not made any statement with regard to replacing dead poultry or
fish. As mentioned in the previous chapter, the poor households rely on daily labour
jobs and their poultry and fish – as opposed to better-off farmers who own land, cattle
and have a second source of income. For poor households who have lost their poultry
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

and fish, this means that they will have lost one major source of income and also source
of protein from the fish and eggs.

3.4 Impact of Disaster on Labour

The poorest farmers are those who are landless and own only a small number of poultry
and fish. To supplement their income, these farmers take on daily labour jobs in other
people’s farms, house constructions and sand mines. From these jobs, they earn IDR
20,000 to IDR 35,000 per day. Since the eruption, there is no demand for labour because
people are saving their money and prefer to do work by themselves. Moreover, the land
is still unable to be cultivated so the poorest farmers have no alternative income to fall
back on.

Shops, car workshops and restaurants in Muntilan town were closed for about three
weeks (between 3 November to 20 November) since the big eruptions took place.
People were also still living in the IDP shelters or with host families during that period.
As a result, these daily workers have lost around 21 days of work which could have
earned them IDR 630,000 – which could support one family’s basic needs for more than
one month.

3.5 Impact of Disaster on Market

Markets have not been physically damaged. However, prices in the markets have
increased 20-40%. This is largely due to difficulty in transporting items to and from
Yogyakarta and Semarang since the lahar flash floods caused some damage to bridges
and inundated major roads. High demand of items also contributed to the increase of
prices.

There is no scarcity of food and non-food items in the markets. Rice has always been
sourced from areas that are not affected by the eruption. Vegetables used to be sourced
from Sewukan, Banyuroto and Dukun. But since these areas are severely affected by
volcanic ash, vegetables are now sourced from Kopeng and Salatiga.

Many markets and shops in the villages are still closed while markets in the town, such
as in Muntilan have resumed its normal activities. In the villages, farm produce that can
still be salvaged from the fields or from previous harvest are valued in a low price by the
wholesalers. The people’s purchasing power is still very low at the time of writing this
report.

Table showing price increase in Muntilan market:

Product Price before Current price
eruption
Rice IDR 6,000 per kg IDR 7,500 per kg
Egg IDR 10,000 per kg IDR 14,000 per kg
Cooking oil IDR 10,000 per litre IDR 12,000 per litre
Sugar IDR 5,000 per kg IDR 6,250 per kg
Cauliflower IDR 1,000 per IDR 2,500 per
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

bouquet bouquet
Morning glory IDR 500 per bouquet IDR 2000 per
vegetables bouquet

4. Child Protection Concerns

The main issues specifically related to children are food and nutrition, child labour and
access to education.

While living in makeshift shelters, families are entirely dependant on external food aid
which too often contains very little nutrition value. Children who have returned home
with their parents are facing the risk of receiving insufficient food. Prices of food have
increased and head of households may prefer to spend money on their cattle and farm.
The loss of income on the poorest families i.e. daily farm labour could mean that they
cannot afford food at all. Health and nutrition among babies and children should be
given a high consideration. There is also a change of diet noticed among returnees:

Quote from women:

“Although Talun Market has opened, prices have increased. Our staple food has changed
from rice to cassava and taro plants. It is really difficult these days. Clean drinking water
is difficult because the water source is contaminated, water pipes are damaged. I have
not paid my children’s school fee for December and my monthly installment of IDR
275,000.- to the bank which was used for my farm.” (Marti, 40, Sumber village)

Children are at the risk of being made to work in order to catch up with the decreasing
farm produce. Male children are facing a higher risk of being made to perform manual
labour in the sand mines. During the assessment, we found children who prefer to work
in sand mines rather than going to school. They can earn about IDR 100,000 in one day.
Working in sand mines does not only stop children from attending school. It also
exposes them to the risk of: getting hit by a sudden lahar flood and working long hours
to mine two tons of sand in one day.

Families who have lost their income may not prioritize children’s education. Although
school fee in most state elementary schools are free, transportation, school books and
other extra payments may be required. Children’s education may not be the family’s
priority before their house is habitable and their land is cleared.

Quote from children:

“Since the eruption that night (3 November), our food is only instant noodles every day.”
(Anissa, 8, Talun Village)
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

5. Existing Coping Mechanism

External Aid
Until today (13 December), returnee families are still highly dependant on external food
aid and other logistic supplies. Families were given 1 kg of rice and other basic food
items when they left the IDP shelter; however this is only true for a very small
percentage of families. Most families9, especially those relying only on their farm, are
depending on external aid.

The government’s capacity is overstretched. Krinjing village in Dukun sub-district were

given 13 crates of egg by the Magelang district government to be divided among 597
households; each household received three eggs. Mangunsuko village received 1.5
quintals of rice to be divided among 1,662 people; this supply will be finished in less
than one week. The head of Magelang Kesbanglinmas/disaster management centre
said that they only have IDR 500 million left which will be used for 1,000 people who are
currently still displaced and living in temporary shelters. Until today, there has been no
progress on the jadup10 which was promised by the provincial government.11

Local organizations in Magelang are contacting their networks to donate rice, water and
other basic needs which they will then deliver to affected villages. Returnee families are
also active in contacting different channels that may be able to provide them with food
and clean water. However, we have seen that the number of volunteers and ad hoc-
type organizations have dropped since people have resumed to their work or studies.
Moreover, there is now less media attention on Merapi since the alert status was
downgraded. People are therefore devising other coping mechanisms as described
below.

Surviving on Food Reserves

Some families can still live on the crop produce from the previous harvest such as rice
and maize. A change of diet has been noticed among the farmers. Families now eat less
rice and switch to cassava and donated instant noodles.

Loan
Most families save their money in the form of cattle. As a result, they do not have
enough liquid cash when an emergency happens. Even when their basic needs were
provided in the IDP shelters, families needed money for transport, animal feed and
children’s supplementary food. A lot of families owe money to their neighbours,
relatives or wholesalers. One respondent said that so far he has owed his friend IDR 2
million – about 33% more than his average monthly earning. In addition, farmers still
9
The HRNA conducted by DRR Forum Yogyakarta – where SC contributed 20 questionnaires – reveal that
66% out of 440 households surveyed mention external food aid as their primary coping mechanism.
10
Jadup is short for “jatah hidup” or the government’s compensation package for returnees comprising of
0.4 kg of rice per person per day and IDR 4,500 for side dish per person per day.
11
Source: “Rp 1,4 Miliar untuk Beli Sapi”, Kompas National Daily, 8 December 2010.
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

have not paid off their bank or cooperative loans. There have been talks of writing off
these loans but there has been no confirmation to date.

Selling off asset

Many farmers in Dukun sub-district have sold their cattle to wholesalers for a very low
price. For example, a cow worth IDR 10 million is sold off at IDR 3.5 million. To them,
this was a safer option to ensure that they have cash in hand while staying in the IDP
shelters. The government has promised to buy their cattle for a more reasonable price
but registration is still ongoing and it is still not clear as to when the money will be
disbursed by the government.

Mutual Cooperation
Gotong royong or the spirit of mutual cooperation is deeply ingrained in Javanese
culture. General village welfare is highly regarded, at times even more than personal
gain. During the 2006 Mount Merapi eruption, the community members worked
together to repair the irrigation channels. It was a work completed in one month and
during that period, the community members took turns cleaning the irrigation channel
every three days. In the current recovery context, a lot of work has to be done to repair
water sources that are vital to agriculture and the general wellbeing of the people.
People are depleted of their savings and thus cannot contribute in the form of money
needed to buy pipes, pumps and generators to revitalize the water sources. However,
people are more than willing to voluntarily carry out manual labour for the benefit of
their village.

Recommendations

Based on the interviews, people’s priorities once they return home are: 1) Cleaning their
house 2) Clearing their land to be able to be cultivated 3) Repairing the irrigation
channels.

Two main problems around livelihoods are identified: 1) Damage to land which is their
main source of income 2) Poor purchasing power. Based on our assessment, the
following interventions are recommended:
1. Food Distribution – Distribution of staple food items would ensure food
security during the critical first three months when families return home.
Food supply would free around 50% of the family’s income/savings so
families could focus on resuming their livelihoods activities and fulfilling
children’s basic needs.
2. Alternative Farming – Subsistent farmers can make use of polybags to plant
crops in limited quantity, enough for household consumption. Polybag
farming has been applied in many areas in Java and other parts of Indonesia.
We have consulted two organic farmers in Yogyakarta and Magelang area
and it is deemed feasible for the current context. This alternative farming will
also benefit the communities in the long-run. Farmers will have the practical
DRAFT Rapid Livelihoods Assessment Report

knowledge of organic farming which is cheaper and can be relied upon

should another volcano eruption take place in the future.
3. Cash For Work – A CFW scheme would address the needs of the poorest
population who are entirely dependant on daily wage from being a farm
labourer. The CFW would also benefit the wider community through
repairing irrigation channel.
4. Cash Transfer – A cash transfer programming would support the
community’s livelihoods early recovery efforts. At the same time, it would
minimize coping strategies that may harm the family and children’s wellbeing
such as debt and taking children out from school to work in farms to increase
farm produce.