Psycho-social cost of greatest man-made hydrometeorological-disaster : “Lusi” Sidoarjo

Fifteen years have passed since the Lapindo mudflow disaster in Sidoarjo, East Java. Notwithstanding, there is no sign that the livelihood lost in this human and environmental tragedy would ever be restored. Victims are left behind when recovery efforts conflict with Indonesia's development agenda. After losing living space, these victims face multiple layers of marginalization, transforming Lapindo from a hydro-meteorological disaster to a serious socio-political disaster. This study examines the psychological Affect of man-made disasters on marginalized communities, which is not included in the country's current development plans. Furthermore, this research aims to find a way to integrate psycho-social factors affecting victims of development-induced disasters as a critical component of shaping current and future disaster-prone development policies. This study applied Psycho-Social Phenomenology to Social Justice Approach. The findings show how the condition of survivors who are still suffering from post-disaster pain is disclosed. Inadequate disaster response processes, resulting in trauma and significant disruption to survivors' psycho-social aspects. After 15 years of disasters, resilience has yet to emerge. Furthermore, the state's failure to recognize is expected to exacerbate disasters and increase the likelihood of victims of similar disasters in Indonesia.