When natural disasters strike, the focus is often on rescuing victims and rebuilding infrastructure. But hidden dangers, like asbestos exposure, put disaster workers and volunteers at serious risk.
Asbestos, widely used in construction across Southeast Asia, becomes especially hazardous when buildings are damaged or destroyed. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause deadly diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
To tackle this danger, Binawan University and LION Indonesia, a partner organisation in the Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere campaign, in collaboration with Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA, has developed Indonesia’s first training modules on asbestos prevention and safety for humanitarian workers responding in disaster zones. Since 2024, they have trained around 120 disaster volunteers and officials, including those from the Jakarta City Regional Disaster Management Agency.
Research by Binawan University shows just how urgent this training is:
- More than 90% of volunteers know asbestos is widely used in buildings.
- Only 60% know it is hazardous to health.
- Just one-third have received information on asbestos risks in disaster response.
- Fewer than half (43%) consistently use protective equipment when working around asbestos.
With an estimated 50% of Jakarta’s houses roofed with asbestos, this work is critical. Training ensures that those who step up to help during disasters are also protected from long-term, life-threatening exposure.
Worker safety must always be at the centre of disaster response. Protecting volunteers and humanitarian workers from asbestos is essential to protecting the communities they serve.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA is currently supporting the Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere campaign which also receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
