"Thus, when a disaster occurs, as long as the district has issued a disaster emergency status, the allocation of village funds can be shifted to respond to the post-disaster situation," he stated at the Disaster Risk Reduction Month commemoration event here on Thursday.
He noted that the shift in village funds' allocation is in accordance with article 5, paragraph 2 of Ministerial Regulation Number 8 of 2022 on Village Funds Use Priorities.
He cited as an example that during a disaster, village funds could be utilized for building public kitchen tents, purchasing staple foods, as well as for other forms of primary assistance.
"That is why I feel sad when I see many young people asking for donations on the side of the road every time there is a disaster because actually, the regional government can directly use village funds that have previously been transferred to the village account," he remarked.
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Village funds can also be channeled for disaster mitigation programs, such as disaster training for the community.
The community is expected to be able to provide first aid and support post-disaster rehabilitation processes.
One of the post-disaster rehabilitation processes is the restoration of economic activities in affected communities, one of which is carried out through micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Village funds can be utilized to provide special skills training for local residents, so that they can help expedite post-disaster economic recovery.
"To this end, in every opportunity, I always appeal to village officials to invite the Community Empowerment Office to disaster response and mitigation discussions. Do not only invite the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD)," he stated.
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Translator: Hana Dewi, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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