
CICP researchers have successfully secured funding from the UGM International Joint Research Academy (IJRA) under the sub-program International Research Collaboration, part of UGM’s flagship program on Socio-Cultural Resilience of Communities. The research, led by Pradytia Putri Pertiwi, Ph.D., began with a preliminary study titled Vulnerability and Social Cohesion in Shared Spaces: A Cross-Country Analysis of Forcibly Displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh and Indonesia. This research aligns with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The research was conducted in collaboration with Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, SIP, M.Sc., Ph.D, from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, Dr. Marta Mawarpury from the Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University, Prof. Dennis Dijkzeul, and Dr. Abu Faisal Md. Khaled from the Institute for International Law for Peace and Conflict – IFHV, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
The study aims to address a gap in existing literature by conducting a comparative analysis of vulnerability and social cohesion within the humanitarian system, focusing on Rohingya communities in Indonesia and Bangladesh. It integrates perspectives from psychology, political science, law, and humanitarian studies. Participants in the study include Rohingya refugees, local community members, and institutions involved in refugee management. Data collection methods include direct interviews, observations, and focus group discussions (FGDs).
Dr. Pradytia, along with CICP research assistants Duma Hardiana Manurung and Fadhliah Sofiyana Noor Saprowi, conducted preliminary fieldwork in Aceh. The team visited two temporary shelters in Mina Raya and Kulee, engaging with 33 participants, including Rohingya refugees and local community members. A research workshop was also held in collaboration with Dr. Marta Mawarpury and Yayasan Geutanyoe as research partners.
The preliminary findings highlighted three key themes: (1) Vulnerability among Rohingya refugees, (2) Tensions within institutions managing Rohingya refugees, and (3) Social cohesion within local communities. Planned outputs from this preliminary study include a full research proposal, an educational video, a psychological support module, and a research manuscript.
Please read the full preliminary reports in the following document.