According to the minister, the government would carry out disaster risk reduction efforts through collaborative programs between the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and other ministries and institutions.
"Our ministry is ready with the assignment to reduce disaster risk," Pratikno remarked during a working visit to the BNPB office in Jakarta on Monday.
Pratikno vouched to push for efforts to navigate the direction of disaster risk reduction policies between ministries and institutions, the legislature, and local governments.
Based on the results of a joint study with the BNPB ranks, Pratikno highlighted the need for coordinated budget allocation to reduce disaster risks.
Meanwhile, the BNPB budget ceiling for the 2025 fiscal year work plan amounts to Rp927.574 billion (US$57 million), marking a 67.3 percent reduction from the 2024 budget allocation.
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The BNPB has requested Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) to increase the 2025 budget ceiling to Rp1.887 trillion (US$116 million).
The proposed funding would support the Disaster Resilient Village Expedition program, including the installation of sirens and signs as early warning tools, evacuation guidance, and disaster awareness initiatives across 181 villages in 13 megathrust zones.
The funds will also cover the procurement of new preparedness tools, equipment, and vehicles to replace the outdated facilities at the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).
Based on the BNPB data, Indonesia faced 5,400 disasters in 2023, with 95 percent being hydrometeorological events such as floods, landslides, and storms alongside droughts and forest and land fires.
Despite a 52 percent increase in disaster frequency from the previous year, technological innovation and disaster mitigation education helped reduce casualties and the impact of damage.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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