IPB Expert: Disaster Destroys Village Social System, Vulnerable To Trigger Conflict And Jealousy

BOGOR - The post-disaster social impact often escapes the public's attention, even though the damage caused is beyond physical losses. Rural Sociology expert IPB University, Dr Ivanovich Agusta, explained that the floods and landslides that hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra had damaged the socio-village foundation.

"Disasters not only damage the physical home, but also damage the social system that maintains the resilience and identity of the village," said Dr Ivanovich.

He explained that after the disaster, the village community experienced social dislocation, namely the loss of communal spaces that had been the center of interaction, such as village halls, prayer rooms, markets, and roads.

When the spaces were lost, the rhythm of village life was cut off. The interaction weakened, communication was disrupted, and social solidarity was also tested," he explained.

Psychological Pressure And Conflict-Prone Assistance

In addition to physical damage, disasters also disrupt village social institutions (planting schedules for farmers, social gatherings, posyandu, religious activities) and trigger psychosocial pressure in the form of trauma and uncertainty. This condition decreases the spirit of work and participation of residents.

"The cessation of this social system greatly weakens the integration of the village community. Whereas that's where the social power of the residents has been," he said.

Dr Ivanovich calls children, women, the elderly, and farmers the most vulnerable groups. Farmers bear the long-term heaviest impact of land damage, irrigation destroyed, and the loss of livestock, which is ecological as well as socio-economic.

Furthermore, in areas affected by disasters, he highlighted the potential for social conflict and jealousy in the distribution of aid. This was triggered by unclear data on victims, lack of transparency in distribution, and uneven assistance.

"In a disaster situation, psychological fatigue makes people more sensitive. Small inequality can trigger social jealousy," he explained.

Government Trust At The Edge Of The Horn

According to Dr Ivanovich, although mutual cooperation is very strong in the early stages of disaster, collective fatigue and uncertainty of recovery in the medium term can weaken social cohesion. People's trust in the government relies heavily on a quick, precise, and transparent response.

"If aid is fast and fair, trust strengthens. If it is slow and unclear, what arises is frustration and apathy," he added.

He concluded that post-disaster recovery must be carried out thoroughly through psychosocial strengthening, reactivation of social institutions, transparent data collection, livelihood recovery, and community-based preparedness systems.

"Disaster is not only a matter of today, but also about how we rebuild village social resilience for the future," he concluded.