Disaster Cases on the Rise, Lions Club Expands Social Assistance Programme
The rise in the number of natural disasters in Indonesia is prompting humanitarian organisations to expand their focus on social assistance. The humanitarian service organisation Lions Club is now adding a special programme for handling disaster victims as a priority for humanitarian services.
Chairman of the 50th National Convention of the Lions Indonesia Multi District 307 Association, Past District Governor Toni Suparman, stated that the Lions Club has so far implemented various social programmes such as child cancer treatment, diabetes management, environmental efforts, hunger alleviation, vision care, as well as youth development and child culture. In the future, the organisation will strengthen its response to disaster victims.
“Disaster relief, because there are many disasters, so we are adding one programme, namely disaster relief,” said Toni during the 50th Convention of the Lions Indonesia Multi District 307 Association in Bandung City on Friday (8/5/2026).
Toni explained that the number of Lions clubs in Indonesia reaches around 5,000 clubs that carry out social activities in line with the organisation’s priority programmes. To date, the Lions Club’s social service programmes have reached approximately 2 million beneficiaries.
“We have what is called people served, the number of people served, currently the number served is approximately 2 million people,” said Toni.
He added that the number of Lions Indonesia members currently reaches around 1.4 million people spread across various regions. The national convention serves as a forum for organisational consolidation, opened by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi, and as preparation for the international convention to be held in July 2026 in Hong Kong. “Total participants number 1,250 people from all over Indonesia,” said Toni.
During the three-day convention, participants discussed the election of organisational leaders, social service agendas, and scholarship programmes. One of the social activities carried out was the distribution of 200,000 fish fingerlings in Saguling Reservoir as part of strengthening community economy and environment.
“Of course, for this convention, we are also electing new leaders. Hopefully, with the election of new leaders, there will be new enthusiasm for serving and an increase in members to serve,” said Toni.
Chairman of the Board of Governors of Indonesia Multi District 307, Yahya Yashputera, stated that the annual convention is the highest forum for decision-making in the Lions Club organisation in Indonesia. This forum determines the organisation’s future direction, including the election of District Governors and Chairman of the Board of Governors, as well as discussions on various strategic motions.
He explained that this year’s convention involves District 307 A1, 307 A2, 307 B1, 307 B2, as well as Multi District 307 Indonesia. One of the important agendas is the approval of a new district, District 307 C.
Data from the National Disaster Management Agency shows that the trend of disasters in Indonesia remains high. Throughout 2025, there were 4,727 disaster incidents with 280,000 houses damaged, more than 3,600 public facilities affected, around 1,300 bridges damaged, as well as 1,666 deaths and 214 people reported missing.