Lestari Moerdijat: Strong Collaboration Key to Protecting Vulnerable Groups from Climate Crisis

A protection system built on public preparedness and appropriate disaster mitigation must be realised in efforts to safeguard every citizen from the threat of the climate crisis. “The challenge of protecting vulnerable groups, including women and children in Indonesia, which is becoming increasingly complex in 2026, must be met with strong collaboration from all relevant parties to create a safe environment for every citizen,” said Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Lestari Moerdijat in a written statement on Thursday (18/6). Research by the Collaboration Programme for Knowledge, Innovation, and Partnerships (KONEKSI) revealed that climate change has imposed growing economic pressure on vulnerable groups, especially women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Climate change not only damages the environment but also threatens the economic resilience of communities in coastal areas and the agricultural sector. The findings, presented during a workshop and panel discussion in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday (17/6), serve as a loud alarm for the government to immediately provide tangible protection for those most affected. The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) also estimates that women and children in several regions of Indonesia are vulnerable groups exposed to the impacts of the climate crisis, which triggers an increased risk of human trafficking, child marriage, and school dropouts due to loss of livelihoods. “Climate anomalies that can trigger droughts or heavy rainfall not only have a significant impact on the environment in the country but also on the economic and social sectors of vulnerable community groups. This condition must be anticipated with appropriate policies,” said Rerie, Lestari’s nickname. Rerie, who is also a member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), urged the strengthening of the protection system for vulnerable groups by prioritising equal distribution of protection services and a preventive approach. The senior member of the NasDem Party emphasised that collaboration between the government, private sector, communities, and the public is no longer an option but a necessity in efforts to strengthen the public protection system against the threat of the climate crisis. Furthermore, Rerie encouraged the existing legal systems and instruments to adapt to threats from the impacts of the environmental crisis in the economic and social sectors, as well as the digital space, which has the potential to create new vulnerabilities for the nation’s children. “A protection system for vulnerable groups from the threat of climate crisis impacts is no longer just a discourse, but an urgent need that demands real action,” concluded Rerie.