Yayasan / WWF Indonesia / Yunaidi Joepoet

Indonesia

The local people suffer from climate change and power dynamics that limit their access to natural resources.

Location: Papua and West Papua
Threat: Disasters such as floods: 1,524 incidents, 634 landslides, 252 forest and land fires and 4 drought events in 2022
Causes: Various extreme weather and the influence of Ellie Tropical Cyclone

People in Papua and West Papua face economic and ecological vulnerability

Papua and West Papua are home to the world's third-largest tropical forest and account for over 20% of Indonesia's remaining forested areas. The local people inhabit critical ecosystems and rely heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods.

However, their economic and ecological vulnerability is exacerbated by the looming threat of climate change and extreme weather events. Papua is particularly susceptible to the risk of flooding, presenting a grave challenge. For instance, the people of Asmat face the detrimental effects of flooding and salt intrusion, significantly impacting sago production and subsequently jeopardizing the food security and livelihoods of farmers.

What is the situation?

Despite residing in regions abundant in natural resources, the people of Papua are officially classified as 'poor'. This discrepancy arises from the absence of land tenure and recognition of indigenous rights. As a result, there is an unjust distribution and overexploitation of natural resources.

Permits for palm oil companies, for instance, have been issued without engaging in dialogue or seeking consensus with the communities residing in or around the affected areas. Insufficient governance and marginalization of local rights holders together with climate change and extreme weather events, will further perpetuate poverty, biodiversity loss, and resource degradation.

How can VCA support local partners?

The utilization of natural resources and their significance within indigenous communities vary due to the distinctive natural environment, socio-cultural factors, institutions, and customary rules of each community.

With the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) network we focus on identifying these local climate solutions, such as sustainable local food systems, innovative financial schemes, preservation of local wisdom, and effective governance of natural resources. Crucially, stakeholder buy-in is sought to ensure the adoption and implementation of these solutions. In addition, the network fosters shared understanding among different actors (government agencies, civil society- and community-based organizations) to advocate for policies that protect indigenous people's rights.

The VCA network consists of a diversity of local organizations in Indonesia.

RD. Hendrikus Hada

Former chairman of Alfons Suwada Foundation (YASA)

“The utilization of participatory mapping, assisted by the VCA network, is a concrete form of concern and alignment with the Asmat people, enabling them to identify what rightfully belongs to them.”

Updates

Yunaidi Joepoet, Yayasan WWF Indonesia

Tropisch bosgebied zo groot als Limburg beter beschermd

Prachtig nieuws uit Papoea, Indonesië. Met behulp van WWF is daar is een stuk regenwoud bijna zo groot als de provincie Limburg toegekend aan inheemse gemeenschappen. En dat is goed nieuws voor de natuur. Want in bossen beheerd door lokale gemeenschappen is vaak minder ontbossing dan in gebieden die door de overheid worden beheerd.

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Yunaidi Joepoet, Yayasan WWF Indonesia

Indigenous Communities Papua Gain Land Rights to Protect Forests

Great news from Papua, Indonesia! A vast rainforest area of 206,641 hectares–nearly the size of the Dutch province of Limburg–has been officially recognized as land belonging to Indigenous communities. This marks a major step toward justice for these communities while strengthening environmental conservation efforts.

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May Meet Up 2024

Watch the aftermovie of the May 2024 meetup of Voices for Just Climate Action

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