ABSTRACT
The right to natural resources is a fundamental prerequisite for human rights, yet it is largely neglected in disaster governance. This study examines the disproportionate access, management, ownership, and resource utilisation in the Lapindo mudflow-affected area in Sidoarjo, bridging the research gap that has focused predominantly on technical mitigation rather than the structural impact on the socioeconomic rights for victims. Employing a mixed-methods approach, our study integrates quantitative analysis through a 250-respondent survey alongside qualitative assessment based on semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, and policy reviews conducted in Tanggulangin, Porong, and Jabon. Results demonstrate that disparities in access to resources are not only driven by ecological degradation, but also by exclusive governance and bias towards investment interests. Tanggulangin has comparably better access but is restricted in utilisation, Jabon reflects legal ownership dominance lacking management effectiveness, while Porong experiences structural deprivation but establishes resource diversification-based adaptation stratagems. This exploration confirms that Lapindo\u27s recovery tends to accommodate macroeconomic steadiness over affected community rights advocacy, exacerbating resource distribution disparity and social segregation. Therefore, this study recommends a more inclusive and evidence-based human rights-based governance approach, balancing economic interests, environmental sustainability and social justice to ascertain a comprehensive restoration
