POST-DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDONESIA: A CASE STUDY OF RELOCATION OF CASUALTIES OF THE 2010 MERAPI ERUPTION IN YOGYAKARTA AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Mount Merapi erupted in 2010 causing many people living around its slopes to lose their homes, livestocks and property. A total of 386 people died, several hamlets were badly destroyed, and 15,366 people became refugees amounting. The Merapi casualties were finally relocated to 18 permanent settlements (hunian tetap/huntap) spread over seven villages and two sub-districts in Sleman Regency. At the time of this research (2020), they have been living in the shelters - about 2 – 10 km from their place of origin - for approximately seven years. With reference to the permanent settlements of Banjarsari and Jetis Sumur this study examined the socio-economic impacts arising from the relocation, and the comfort level of residents living in the shelters. Primary data were obtained through field surveys and interviews. The results reveal that 1) The most obvious socio-economic impact is a change in the type of livelihood (sand mining and trading) and in the social behaviour ( residents still feel afraid when there was heavy rain and strong winds and they always took time to worship in between their activities). 2) The residents were comfortable and felt at home in the permanent settlements of Banjarsari and Jetis Sumur. They no longer wish to return to their original villages. The implication of this research is that the 2010 Merapi eruption has brought blessings to the casualties. They could still continue their former occupations as farmers and breeders, some had new jobs as Merapi sand miners and traders, and their religious life was improving.