Workshop for validating field data results with stakeholders in Langsa City
The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Syiah Kuala University, in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island (URI), USA, is conducting a collaborative research project titled “Equitable and Sustainable Development of Coastal Communities in Southeast Asia (ESCSea)”. This research focuses on the resilience of coastal communities in facing disasters and climate change, specifically in Langsa City and Simeulue District, Aceh.
For Langsa City, the research focuses on the villages of Kuala Langsa and Pusong. Kuala Langsa was chosen due to its frequent exposure to tidal flooding, which impacts livelihoods, as most of the community works as fishermen. Pusong was chosen because it is a small inhabited island where the entire community relies on fishing, making their lives dependent on the natural conditions for their livelihood. Additionally, Pusong is experiencing erosion, leading to a shrinking land area.
Field data collection was carried out from June 30 to July 12, 2024, through a series of activities starting with an audience with the local government to gather initial information before engaging with the local community in data collection activities. These activities included surveys of the local population, focus group discussions (FGD), and a validation workshop involving various stakeholders. The goal of the data collection was to discover how local knowledge plays a role in the livelihoods of the community amid the climate crisis.
Implementation of participatory mapping with the women’s group in Kuala Langsa Village
The ESCSea research has three main objectives. First, to increase knowledge about the factors contributing to the vulnerability of marginalized groups in Aceh’s coastal communities. Second, to identify and strengthen capacities and opportunities that could lead to locally- and culturally-based sustainable development. Third, to raise awareness among policymakers and practitioners about the importance of an integrated approach in development planning, prioritizing vulnerability reduction to achieve sustainable and just development.
Using a participatory approach, this research emphasizes the direct involvement of the community, including vulnerable groups such as women, small-scale fishers, and indigenous groups like the Panglima Laot. The research team conducted a survey with 30 respondents followed by in-depth interviews to capture personal narratives and the experiences of the residents in dealing with climate and disaster challenges. These activities were enhanced by participatory mapping carried out by village officials together with the community.
Implementation of participatory mapping with the women’s group in Kuala Langsa Village
The data collected in Kuala Langsa shows that environmental changes, such as erosion and extreme tidal phenomena, have affected the lives and livelihoods of local residents, most of whom depend on the fishing sector. One of the main threats faced is coastal erosion, which continues to erode residential areas. Residents live in constant worry, especially with the increasing frequency of extreme natural phenomena such as “Ie Suak” and “Ie Tuara.”
“Ie Suak” is a local term used to describe large waves accompanied by unusual water temperatures (cold at the surface but warm at depth). This condition signals the absence of fish in the waters and is often accompanied by strong winds, forcing fishermen to stay ashore.
Meanwhile, the “Ie Tuara” phenomenon, or extreme tidal flooding, occurs twice a year. The sea rises and covers the road up to the knees of an adult for about two hours, both during the day and at night, disrupting daily activities.
Interview by the Research Team with Female Representatives from Pusong Village
Kuala Langsa has great potential for mangrove ecotourism, but this potential has yet to be optimally developed due to lack of promotion and supporting infrastructure. In fact, ecotourism development could become an important alternative livelihood amidst the declining fish catch.
Meanwhile, data collected in Pusong Island shows a decline in fish catch, coastal erosion, and a lack of disaster protection infrastructure as the main challenges for this coastal community.
Fishing remains the main livelihood for the residents. However, in recent years, changing weather patterns have made catches increasingly unpredictable. Additionally, the degraded mangrove ecosystem has reduced the area’s natural ability to withstand erosion, worsening the area’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Women in Pusong Island once had a tradition of weaving mats from pandan leaves, but this tradition has disappeared as erosion has wiped out the pandan plants from the island’s coastline.
Fishing boats as transportation tools to Pusong Island
The community expressed that weather patterns have begun to change since the 2004 tsunami. After the major disaster, the seasonal patterns that were once well understood no longer remain consistent. In the past, people knew that rain would come between August–September, storms between November–January, and southwest winds between March–April. These signs no longer hold true.
Current Condition of Pusong Island, Which Is Shrinking Due to Erosion
Not only is the environment changing, but the life of the people of Pusong Village is also determined by local and spiritual values. Teulaga Tujuh Island, located near Pusong Island, is considered a sacred island. According to local beliefs, the island has seven small lakes (teulaga) and is protected by a religious figure who can only be seen by certain individuals. The belief is that this island protected Pusong Island from the 2004 tsunami, which did not directly strike the island.
In everyday life, the community adheres strictly to customary rules, such as not fishing on Fridays or when there is a death, visiting graves on the second day of Idul Fitri, performing the “peusijuk” (blessing ritual) for new boats, and holding the “Kenduri Laot” every five years as a thank you for the blessings of the sea.
However, the lack of village infrastructure, particularly in terms of disaster protection, increases the risks faced by the community. These findings emphasize the urgency of government and stakeholder intervention to strengthen the resilience of coastal areas to climate change, without overlooking the local wisdom that has been the foundation of the community’s life.
Public Toilets and Rainwater Harvesting Tanks That Have Been Abandoned Due to Inaccessibility
One important aspect of the ESCSea research is the involvement of stakeholders at various levels. The field data collection concluded with a validation workshop with local government officials, including the Assistant I of the Regional Secretary, the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Marine and Fisheries Department, the Environmental Department, as well as community representatives from the research focus areas. This activity aimed to verify the field findings and foster synergy among stakeholders in formulating strategies for more resilient and inclusive coastal area development.
This research also highlights the importance of recognizing and documenting local knowledge as a vital resource in the adaptation process to climate change. Through an analysis and validation of community knowledge, this research seeks to promote the integration of local values into regional development policies.
Langsa City, with its complex socio-ecological dynamics, serves as a strategic location for this research. The villages of Kuala Langsa and Pusong face significant challenges due to environmental degradation, rising sea levels, and climate uncertainty.
“This international collaboration not only strengthens research capacity but also opens a space for dialogue between the scientific community, policymakers, and local communities to find solutions together,” said Prof. Lisa Hiwasaki in her remarks at the validation workshop.
Not only does this research involve data collection and validation with the local government, but the results will also be further validated through expert reviews in the relevant fields. The final research outcomes will be compiled into a comprehensive report and policy brief to be submitted to local governments to strengthen advocacy for just and sustainable coastal development. Additionally, this research is expected to contribute to Indonesia’s scientific contributions in international forums on climate change and community resilience.
The ESCSea project is led by Dr. Haekal Azief Haridhi, Coordinator of the Marine Science Study Program at Syiah Kuala University, and Prof. Lisa Hiwasaki from the University of Rhode Island. This project represents an important step in strengthening the capacity of coastal communities and formulating inclusive, fair, and sustainable development strategies.
With a collaborative and transdisciplinary spirit, ESCSea is a tangible reflection of how science can contribute directly to society, particularly for those who have long been on the frontlines facing the risks of climate change and natural disasters.
Presentation of aspirations by the women’s group during the workshop activity
BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency) of Langsa City responds to the field findings
Group photo with representatives of the community and village officials of Pulau Pusong after data collection
