"Coordination and mapping of disaster-prone regions become essential priorities in the strengthening of sustainable resilience in facing disasters," he remarked during the opening of the 2023 Disaster Mitigation National Coordination Meeting here on Thursday.
Effendy stated that his ministry and all relevant ministries and institutions and regional governments would immediately identify disaster-prone regions comprehensively.
The minister expressed optimism over the presence of a centralized disaster data coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"Each region will have data that is centralized and coordinated by the BNPB and the coordinating ministry. Thus, the synchronization of policies needs to be strengthened and tailored to the needs of each region," he explained.
The minister also encouraged regional governments to continue to strengthen disaster mitigation efforts.
"This is in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the importance of pre-disaster (preparedness) and the handling of disaster at an early stage," he remarked.
Effendy also underscored the need to focus on the president's directive regarding the strengthening of the early warning system and community education, addressing spatial problems, and increasing earthquake-resistant construction.
"This must become a (cause for) concern for all, especially regions that are prone to disasters," he stated.
At Thursday's meeting, President Jokowi called on regional governments to include disaster risks in the development plan.
"Regions must include disaster risks in their development plan, investment plan," he remarked while opening the coordination meeting.
According to the president, including disaster risks in the development plan would offer clear information regarding locations that cannot become targets of development.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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