Moreover, we will also push for the mapping of active land faults, which have yet to be identified, particularly in areas with high population density…Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has informed that it will focus on disaster mitigation efforts, specifically in relation to earthquakes and the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in livestock in Indonesia.
Based on its experience of handling the aftermath of the temblors in Cianjur, Turkiye, and Syria, the agency has learned that such geological disasters cause significant damage to infrastructures and lives, BNPB Head Suharyanto said at the “National Coordination Meeting on Disaster Mitigation here” on Thursday.
"In terms of impact, geological disasters impose a significant one; so (now) onwards, it will become our focus in mitigation efforts and preparation," he added.
Suharyanto said that the development of social, educational, public, and medical infrastructures, as sought by President Joko Widodo at the “2022 National Coordination Meeting on Disaster Mitigation,” must still be pursued.
"Moreover, we will also push for the mapping of active land faults, which have yet to be identified, particularly in areas with high population density, in accordance with the history of earthquakes in the past," he informed.
The multiple earthquakes in Indonesia have led to the loss of many lives, besides damaging buildings, and the magnitude of damage has been worse compared to 2021.
However, the disasters being recorded in Indonesia are still predominantly hydrometeorological in nature. The agency is currently anticipating the risk of dry hydrometeorological disasters, which are projected to become more prevalent in 2023.
Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, he informed. Meanwhile, the agency, which also functions as an FMD control task force, is still focusing on addressing the remaining 5,700 cases of FMD.
The current rate of FMD vaccinations is only 25 percent, thus they are targeted to be completed in 2023.
The agency has also assisted allied countries by sending relief and aid. "Humanitarian aid team sent by Indonesia to Turkiye and Syria was the largest, most complete humanitarian aid team ever sent to another country," he highlighted.
The initiative was met with a positive response from the governments and citizens of Turkiye and Syria, he affirmed.
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Translator: Devi NSR, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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