The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) always applies the concept of pentahelix or multi-party, wherein the government, academics, business players, communities, and the media unite in tackling disaster problems.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Disaster mitigation expert from the Yogyakarta Veteran National Development University (UPN) Eko Teguh Paripurno accentuated that community involvement through its activities is vital for disaster risk reduction.

"This movement has fulfilled the dynamics of disaster risk reduction in the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) that can be difficult to achieve individually," Paripurno, concurrently chairman of the UPN Center for Disaster Mitigation Studies, stated during a webinar here on Wednesday.

Paripurno noted that the residents' community in four areas surrounding Mount Merapi -- Magelang, Sleman, Boyolali, and Klaten -- was one of the first community-based disaster risk reduction organizations in Indonesia since the Merapi eruption on November 22, 1994.

He remarked that the Merapi community viewed the volcano not from the aspect of danger but its mitigation system. When it is active and erupts, people will temporarily move to a safer place, he pointed out.

"The movement is not just about preparedness but also environmental awareness. A spirit rouses and strategy is built by friends in Merapi," he highlighted.

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The Merapi community is also a learning establishment for several people to gain a broader understanding of disaster risk reduction, he stated.

Furthermore, several mountain communities can coexist and even view the area prone to eruption disasters as a blessing, he stated.

He cited the example of the Mount Kelud community that was established in 2007 and owing to increased mitigation and knowledge of the surrounding community, they were able to evacuate effectively during the 2014 eruption without any fatalities.

Likewise, the community of Mount Molo in East Nusa Tenggara and Mount Kendeng in Java are making efforts to protect the environment from destruction, as it is believed that environmental problems are upstream, while disasters are downstream, according to Paripurno.

"They live off agriculture, so managing the upstream areas becomes important for the community, so there is no disaster," he expounded.

Society plays an imminent role in reducing disaster risk, he stated.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) always applies the concept of pentahelix or multi-party, wherein the government, academics, business players, communities, and the media unite in tackling disaster problems, he affirmed.
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Translator: Desi P, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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