Contextualizing Disaster Risk Reduction Through Digital Inclusion of the Vulnerable Groups at Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Contextualizing disaster risk reduction (DRR) is challenging not only for the government but also for civil society. From a social science perspective, disasters are understood not merely as events causing negative impacts, but as processes that create vulnerability within communities. This research posits that digital inclusion can reduce vulnerability by improving access to information and communication. Accordingly, it aims to contextualize DRR practices through the lens of digital inclusion among vulnerable groups in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. To achieve this, the study employed a Geographic Information System (GIS) to overlay statistical data on vulnerable groups—including children, the elderly, women and persons with disabilities—with spatial data on the availability of communication infrastructure. Using a generic spatial approach, the research examined the distribution of digital infrastructure in selected districts across Yogyakarta, as well as the characteristics of these vulnerable populations. The results revealed that Yogyakarta provides adequate digital infrastructure for vulnerable groups. However, further questions remain, such as how digital infrastructure is utilized before, during and after disaster events. Moreover, digital inclusion in Yogyakarta appears strongly associated with enhancing economic and social capital. The Yogyakarta experience suggests that efforts to contextualize DRR through digital inclusion are multifaceted and yield varying outcomes in terms of how communities experience and respond to disaster risks. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.