The European Union has allocated €1 million (Rp16.9 billion) to fund the Risk Index for Climate Displacement (RICD) initiative in Indonesia, which is aimed at addressing and reducing the impact of climate-induced displacement.
The RICD initiative was developed in collaboration with the European Union, the Indonesian government, the University of Indonesia, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, emphasized the need for global efforts to focus on prevention and preparation in the face of climate change, rather than only responding to disasters after they occur.
“The world must invest more in prevention, preparation, and adaptation, especially when prevention is no longer possible,” Lenarcic said during the RICD launch event in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The project is designed to strengthen communities’ ability to predict and mitigate the risks of displacement caused by climate events such as floods, wildfires, and tropical storms.
Lenarcic highlighted that no country is immune to the realities of climate change, whether in Southeast Asia, Europe, or elsewhere.
“We can only succeed if we work together,” he said.
The RICD will examine the underlying factors that drive displacement, including economic, political, cultural, and demographic conditions that contribute to climate-related migration.
It will also focus on the direct catalysts for displacement, such as loss of livelihood, food or water insecurity, and the uninhabitability of land.
“This index identifies critical points where the cumulative impact of climate change becomes severe enough to significantly increase the likelihood of displacement,” Lenarcic added.
Through this collaborative initiative, Indonesia is expected to enhance its resilience to the growing challenges posed by the global climate crisis.
