"This step is aimed at encouraging children to be able to respond appropriately and quickly when the actual disaster occurs," Head of Tsunami Mitigation for the Indian and Pacific Oceans of BMKG Suci Dewi Anugerah stated during a seminar followed online here on Wednesday.
She underscored the need for children to be trained to be alert for natural warning signs of tsunamis, such as strong or long-lasting earthquakes, as well as rapid sea level drops that indicate the receding of seawater, showing fish and coral reefs.
At the seminar, Anugerah also shared the inspirational story of British girl Tilly Smith who saved more than 100 tourists in a hotel in Phuket, Thailand, by warning them of the arrival of the tsunami in 2004.
The BMKG outlined six important aspects in simulation: the availability or alarm, response measures, evacuation zone, emergency assembly point, roll call, and evaluation.
As part of vulnerable groups, it is deemed essential for children to have adequate disaster preparedness.
Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) in 2022 recorded that out of Indonesia's total population, 88 million are children. Thus, schools play an important role in educating them on how to face disasters.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) highlighted the vulnerability of children in facing disasters, such as the lack of knowledge, limited psychosocial support, and minimal assistance services.
This vulnerability has serious impacts, as evidenced by the KPAI data showing 33 cases of child marriage among children aged 13-17 years due to the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Central Sulawesi, and 37 cases of child trafficking after the tsunami in Aceh.
Hence, the BMKG believes that routine simulation will nurture good preparedness among children against earthquakes or tsunamis and other impacts that emerge after a disaster occurs.
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Translator: M Riezko, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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