Peran Strategis Non-Govermental Organization (NGO) dalam Krisis Pengungsi Vietnam Tahun 1979-1996 di Pulau Galang, Indonesia

Cosmas Eko Suharyanto; Suali Suali

doi:10.59024/atmosfer.v4i2.1645

Authors

Cosmas Eko Suharyanto Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Indobaru Nasional
Suali Suali Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Indobaru Nasional

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59024/atmosfer.v4i2.1645

Keywords:

Boat People, Camp Galang Island, JRS, Vietnamese Refugees, YCK

Abstract

This study analyzes the strategic role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in managing Indochinese refugees namely from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos on Galang Island during the period 1979–1996. The “boat people” crisis at that time required a multisectoral response that was not only emergency-based but also sustainable, linking Indonesia’s transit policies with applicable international protection standards. Using a literature review method of international journal articles and program technical documents, this study finds that NGOs performed crucial functions beyond mere logistical assistance, particularly through structured educational planning such as the Overseas Refugee Training Program (ORTP). Recent literature indicates that NGO consortia such as SCF and EIL, along with faith-based organizations such as JRS, YCK, and ICMC, played a significant role in fostering refugee self-reliance through cultural orientation curricula and work simulation programs (Work Orientation). Despite various structural challenges and resource limitations, the experience on Galang Island demonstrates the effectiveness of partnerships between NGOs and the government in supporting adaptive and sustainable regional humanitarian diplomacy.

References

Adam, A. W. (2012). Pulau Galang: Wajah humanisme Indonesia: Penanganan manusia perahu Vietnam 1979–1996. Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan.

Betts, A. (2006). Comprehensive plans of action: Insights from CIREFCA and the Indochinese CPA (No. 120).

Bùi, V. P. (2023, November 8). Cha Dominici: Từ tro bụi lại về với bụi tro. Tuần Việt Nam. https://vietnamweek.net/cha-dominici-tu-tro-bui-lai-ve-voi-bui-tro/

Center for Applied Linguistics. (1982). Cultural orientation resource manual.

Center for Applied Linguistics. (1987). Journal of refugee education: Special Galang issue.

Corfield, J. (2008). The history of Vietnam. Greenwood Press.

Cribb, R., Twomey, C., & Wilson, S. (2022). Detention camps in Asia: The conditions of confinement in modern Asian history. Brill.

Davies, S. E. (2008). Realistic yet humanitarian? The comprehensive plan of action and refugee policy in Southeast Asia. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 8(2), 191–217. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcm025

Fandik, M. (2013). Penampungan orang Vietnam di Pulau Galang 1975–1979. AVATARA: E-Journal Pendidikan Sejarah, 1(1).

Farhanditya, M. Y. (2024, February 23). Sejarah kepengungsian di Indonesia dan peran UNHCR. UNHCR Indonesia. https://www.unhcr.org/id/berita/siaran-pers/sejarah-kepengungsian-di-indonesia-dan-peran-unhcr

Hoedemaekers, P. D. G. (1979). Boat people di Indonesia.

Huấn, N. H. (2000). The Cap Anamur II: The journey to Hamburg. Vietnamese Heritage Museum. https://vietnamesemuseum.org/details/the-cap-anamur-ii-the-journey-to-hamburg/

Jenkins, R. E. (2014). Resettling in place: A Vietnamese American Catholic experience. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Jesuit Refugee Service Indonesia. (n.d.). Sejarah. https://idn.jrs.net/id/tentang-jrs-indonesia/sejarah/

Jesuit Refugee Service. (2005). Remembering 25 years Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific 1980–2005.

Kompas. (2022, January 6). Latar belakang pecahnya Vietnam. https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2022/01/06/080000079/latar-belakang-pecahnya-vietnam

Le, D. A. (2025). Vietnamese Catholic migrants and their missionary identity: Historical and contemporary contributions. Journal of Identity and Migration Studies, 19(1).

Le, V. V. (1994). Vietnamese re-education camps: Do they violate both traditional and modern Vietnamese criminal law? Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/659407

Missbach, A. (2013). Waiting on the islands of “stuckedness”: Managing asylum seekers in island detention camps in Indonesia. ASEAS: Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.4232/10.ASEAS-6.2-4

Nguyen, S. B. (1992). A social history of Camp Galang: An autobiographical account of life inside a Southeast Asian refugee camp (Unpublished thesis). Carroll College.

Presiden Republik Indonesia. (1979). Keputusan Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 38 Tahun 1979 tentang koordinasi penyelesaian masalah pengungsi Vietnam di Indonesia.

Purdey, J. (2020, April 27). A history of containment on Galang Island. Inside Indonesia. https://www.insideindonesia.org/archive/articles/a-history-of-containment-on-galang-island

Putri, R. F. (2021). Indonesian immigration cooperation with international organizations for refugees. Journal of Administration and International Development, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.52617/JAID.V1I1.291

Rizka, R. A., & Prabaningtyas, F. (2019). Indonesia and the international refugee crisis: The politics of refugee protection.

Robinson, C. (2004). The comprehensive plan of action for Indochinese refugees, 1989–1997: Sharing the burden and passing the buck. Journal of Refugee Studies, 17(3).

Słowiak, J. (2017). Role of religion and politico-religious organizations in South Vietnam during Ngo Dinh Diem period. Nauki Społeczne, 16(1), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.26361/ZNTDSP.08.2017.16.06

Suharyanto, C. E. (2026). Majalah Tự Do: Narasi kebebasan di balik kawat berduri kamp pengungsian Galang. https://www.mariadiatasperahu.my.id/2026/03/majalah-tu-do-narasi-kebebasan-di-balik.html

Tomasi, S. M. (1996). Refugees and the comprehensive plan of action. Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/migrants/documents/rc_pc_migrants_doc_19960305_cpa_en.html

Tran, Q. T. (2012). Remembering the boat people exodus. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, 7(3), 80–121. https://doi.org/10.1525/vs.2012.7.3.80

United Nations General Assembly. (1981). Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/unhcr/1981/en/42184

United Nations. (1945). Charter of the United Nations and statute of the International Court of Justice.

Viet Bao. (2003, April 2). Cha Dominici: LM của trại tị nạn Galang đã từ trần. https://vietbao.com/a60085/cha-dominici-lm-cua-trai-ti-nan-galang-da-tu-tran

Vietnam Refugee Archive. (2016, January 13). The Cap Anamur: Hop’s journey. https://vietnamese-archive.org/archive/2016/1/13/the-cap-anamur-hops-journey

Vietnamese Heritage Museum. (2000). Nguyen Van Tho. https://vietnamesemuseum.org/details/nguyen-van-tho/

Vu, A. N., & Satzewich, V. (2016). The Vietnamese refugee crisis of the 1970s and 1980s: A retrospective view from NGO resettlement workers. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 32(2).

World Bank. (1996). NGOs and the World Bank: Progress report on cooperation between the World Bank and NGOs.

World Bank. (2002). Non-governmental organizations and civil society engagement in World Bank-supported projects: Lessons from OED evaluations.