Oxfam GB in Indonesia In Action

   ”I wanted to make a difference in other people lives” says Vania Kristiani Budiyanto during interview with Oxfam. 

Situated in Ubud area, here is where the IDEP office is located. This morning, Oxfam visited that office and was welcomed by a nice and charming young lady. “Hi I’m Vania! Welcome to IDEP, she said with a big smile. 

Vania is working as a Community Based Disaster Management  (CBDM) Project Officer in IDEP Foundation. As the project officer, she plays an important role in increasing the awareness among people to understand and implement a range of effective actions that can help to reduce the chance of disaster happening in their area, be more prepared if disaster does happen and recover more quickly. 

She has been traveling around Indonesia in order to help people to increase understanding and resilience to disasters.  

“I have been to Simeleu Island for couple of times to conduct a series of trainings for facilitators and community to increase their capacity in disaster management. On the other hand, I was amazed by the community. They have told me that they have the local wisdom that saved them from the recent tsunami. Their ancestors have told them to run away to higher and saver places when the natures act extraordinarily. And they did it.” 

Besides traveling to educate people, she also plays a key role in producing educational material such as Community Based Disaster Management handbook and films, comic books on Disaster for children and many more. The production of these materials are supported by Oxfam GB.   

“Thanks to Oxfam who helped IDEP to produce and distribute these educational tools. This is so important because these tools will benefit local communities and also the Indonesian government.”  

When she was asked what would she change regarding her work, she looked at me firmly and said “ There is nothing I would change. I am grateful that my job creates impact on people’s lives.  I want people to be ready when the disaster happens.” 

IDEP is Oxfam’s partner who works to increase environmental awareness, improve ecological systems and support the realization of more sustainable, harmonious and safer living. 

 IDEP’s vision is to help people understand our interconnectedness with nature and to support safe and sustainable lifestyle.