"Early warning system will fail in preventing casualties if it is not supported by the understanding of disaster mitigation, awareness, skills, and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately," Karnawati said here on Sunday.
At the inaugural meeting of the panel on socioeconomic benefits (PSB) in Geneva, which she attended online, she stressed that weak anticipation, mitigation, and early warning of disasters can put a great risk on people's life and the economy.
She said developing countries that are highly prone to disasters have even higher risks of economic losses and casualties due to disasters.
According to her, the earth's current condition is increasingly complex, so it requires fast, precise, accurate, and systematic observations and data, in addition to technological innovation and reliable analysts and modeling.
"This situation needs to be our concern together because if the gap widens, the technological advances become less meaningful," she said.
She said literacy and educational approaches are key to increasing understanding and the ability to use data and information produced by modern technology.
At the World Meteorological Organization forum, Karnawati mentioned the Fisherman Weather Field School (SLCN) organized by BMKG to increase community literacy about weather and climate.
SLCN is a low-cost effort but has a significant impact in increasing disaster mitigation within the community, she said.
"One of the success stories of the SLCN was during the Seroja Cyclone that hit East Nusa Tenggara. One of the SLCN alumni saved villagers after receiving early warning information through WhatsApp messages," she explained.
To increase community literacy and capacity in mitigating and responding to early warning of disasters, all parties must be involved, not only the government, but also academicians, communities, organizations, media, to business entities, she reminded.
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Translator: Zubi M, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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