Disasters are not a trivial matter, not only a priority, but a superpriority. Thus, we must really pay attention as capital to bolster disaster handling.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has urged regional governments to identify disaster risks more comprehensively to mitigate their impact on the community.

“Disasters are not a trivial matter, not only a priority, but a superpriority. Thus, we must really pay attention as capital to bolster disaster handling,” he said while opening the 2024 Disaster Preparedness Day event in Padang, West Sumatra, on Friday.

Effendy emphasized that regional heads — from governors to mayors and district heads — must not only understand disaster risks, but also have correct information and sufficient data on their respective regions, including on geological and geographical conditions.

According to him, West Sumatra is one of the regions receiving the most attention regarding disaster risks.

Based on data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), West Sumatra experiences natural disasters 1.5 times a day on average.

The BNPB data also shows that West Sumatra faces the threat of wet hydrometeorological disasters, such as floods, flash floods, landslides, and extreme weather, and even geological disasters in the form of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

“This province is also at risk of Mentawai megathrust earthquake, which can also cause high-level tsunami risks,” he remarked.

Therefore, he has selected West Sumatra to get funding facility through the Indonesia Disaster Resilience Initiatives Project (IDRIP). The funding is meant for two regions in the province, Padang Pariaman and South Pesisir districts.

The minister said that on account of the disaster risks, increasing preparedness by managing complete information and data is necessary for the benefit of society and the socioeconomic development of regions, not only West Sumatra, but also other regions.

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Translator: M Riezko, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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