National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists

1.  Project Background, Goals, and Objectives Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and spanning more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago experiences an extraordinary frequency of natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and landslides affecting millions of people and causing billions of dollars in economic losses each year. North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Central Sulawesi represent some of the highest-risk disaster zones in the country, sitting atop active fault lines, near active volcanoes, and along coastlines vulnerable to tsunamis and storm surge. North Sumatra and West Sumatra were hit by extreme weather at the end of 2025 that caused massive landslide and took the lives of hundreds of locals. Central Sulawesi was devastated by the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 4,000 people. Despite this persistent threat environment, most journalists working in these regions lack formal training in the specialized skills required to cover disasters safely and effectively, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, coordination with emergency officials, and public safety information delivery. When disasters strike and journalists are unprepared, inaccurate reporting can impede evacuation and undermine public trust in emergency systems. The training will be conducted through workshops, field exercises, mentorship, and simulated disaster scenarios. By strengthening the capacity of local journalists to report accurately and responsibly during crises, this initiative promotes a free, independent, and professional press and supports resilient, well-informed communities that are better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters, advancing the U.S. foreign policy goal of strengthening regional disaster response and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.   Project Audience(s): Primary Audience: Journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media working in disaster-prone areas across Indonesia Newsroom editors and managers responsible for disaster coverage Participants must be Indonesian citizens or residents Secondary Audience: Emergency management officials and first responders (PMI, BNPB) Civil society communicators working on disaster preparedness Indonesian media organizations and journalism associations Local government officials responsible for public information during emergencies   Project Goal A well-trained Indonesian press corps that can report accurately under emergent conditions strengthens public trust, supports government accountability, and creates the reliable information environment that the United States and regional partners depend on to coordinate effective humanitarian assistance. This project will contribute to a more stable information environment and improve national and regional disaster response coordination. A successful project would equip at least 150 Indonesian journalists with proficiency in accurate, ethical, and effective disaster reporting, including coverage of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, as measured by pre- and post-training competency assessments. Participants would develop specialized skills in safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification, and coordination with emergency officials. At least 75 trained media professionals would apply these skills to deliver critical public safety information during real disaster events. The project would generate multiplier effects by building a cohort of disaster-ready journalists capable of mentoring colleagues and elevating reporting standards across Indonesian newsrooms in the country’s highest-risk regions. Project Objectives: The project objectives are the specific and measurable results PDS aims to achieve t

The following organizations are eligible to apply: • Indonesia-based non-profit organizations and non-government organizations (NGO)• Indonesian public and private educational institutions• Indonesian journalism associations and media development organizations• Indonesian civil society organizations with experience in journalism training or disaster preparednessApplications from organizations that have experience in managing journalism training programs, media capacity building, disaster preparedness initiatives, and professional development programs are encouraged to apply.For-profit entities, even those that may fall into the categories listed above, are not eligible to apply for this NOFO.