Disaster risk reduction through managing risk perception and adaptation of community livelihood assets in Turgo Hamlet, Purwobinangun, Pakem, Sleman

Within decade of 1994 until 2010, Mt. Merapi erupted, which occurred in 1994, 2006, and 2010. In 1994, the hot cloud of Mt. Merapi went to northernwest area, precisely to Boyong River. Then, in 2006, the threat changed the direction, to the southern part, precisely to Gendol River. Then, it escalated quickly in 2010, in which the hot cloud went 15 kilometers along with Gendol River. By examining the directional change of threat, the risk perception and adaptation strategy within community can be influenced. This research aimed to assess the perception, character change of Mt. Merapi and adaptation strategy to build resiliency in community and change in terms of disaster awareness. Participative data collection was utilised in this research, with qualitative method also used, by involving residents of Turgo hamlet within disaster-prone area III of Mt. Merapi as data resource. Primary data collection was assessed through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) or participative rural condition assessment. The instruments were: interview, tendency and change, diversion, village history, mobility map, and Focused-Group Discussion. The results were descriptive- qualitatively analysed. The research was located in Turgo hamlet, Purwobinangun village, Sub-district of Pakem. The results were that the residents of Turgo understood the model of risk perception, in form of directional change of threat and its character of Mt. Merapi eruption. The residents’ resiliency can be seen through their ability in implementing the strategy of adaptation while also analysing and assessing to build community resilience.