Increase disaster mitigation and adaptation management capacity, particularly at the regional levelJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo has called on the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to increase its disaster mitigation and adaptation management capacity under the efforts to boost the nation's endurance to face disasters.
"Increase disaster mitigation and adaptation management capacity, particularly at the regional level," Widodo noted while addressing the BMKG national development coordination meeting streamed on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Thursday.
The head of state remarked that governments, from the village to the provincial level, must have clear-cut plans for disaster mitigation management that involve the government, private sector, and community, starting from the pre-disaster phase to emergency response and the post-disaster phase.
"This management needs to be simulated and drilled, so we will be well-prepared and act swiftly when disasters occur," he emphasized.
Widodo further highlighted the need to educate residents of disaster-prone areas on ways to brace for catastrophes.
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The president called to enhance the public's preparedness and endurance to face the threat of disasters.
"Apply local wisdom to strengthen the public's resilience to face disasters. Hence, I urge the BMKG to not only convey information about the climate, earthquake, and tsunami more quickly, with broad outreach, but to also synergize with the BNPB (National Disaster Mitigation Agency) to educate the public about how to brace for disasters," he emphasized.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) recorded a total of 1,560 natural disasters in Indonesia during the period from January 1 to July 15, 2021.
The natural disasters that struck mostly comprised hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, whirlwinds, landslides, and forests fires, the agency noted in a statement here recently.
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The hydrometeorological disasters comprised 651 floods, 428 whirlwinds, 318 landslides, and 118 forest fires.
Moreover, the country was hit by 21 incidents of tidal waves and abrasion, 21 instances of earthquakes, and three episodes of droughts.
The natural disasters had affected and displaced 5,465,965 people, claimed 498 lives, rendered 68 people missing, and injured 12,867 others.
The natural disasters also caused damage to 128,147 houses, including 15,031 that incurred heavy damage, 23,205 houses that suffered moderate damage, and 89,911 homes that experienced minor damage.
Furthermore, 2,930 public facilities were damaged, including 1,370 school buildings, 1,213 places of worship, 347 health facilities, 493 office buildings, and 304 bridges.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
