"Indonesia is one of the world`s most disaster prone countries."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Australia, working with the World Bank - Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, has launched a computer program, called the `Indonesia scenario assessment for emergencies` (InaSAFE), to help lessen the impact of natural disasters.

"Indonesia is one of the world`s most disaster prone countries. We can`t stop natural hazards from happening, but we can help people better prepare for them," the deputy for disaster reduction and preparedness from Indonesia`s Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Dodi Ruswandi said, as quoted in a press release received by ANTARA News.

According to BNPB, InaSAFE will make villages, towns, and cities in Indonesia more resilient to natural disasters by helping the communities prepare for floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters.

Available to anyone with basic computer skills, InaSAFE asks users a series of questions about a potential disaster scenario.

Then, it produces maps and reports estimating the potential damage caused to people and infrastructures.

"It is very difficult to prepare for a disaster without knowing who will be impacted and what will be damaged," said the co-director of the Australian Government funded Australia-Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction, Dr. Matt Hayne.

"InaSAFE can answer these questions with a click of the mouse," Dr. Hayne added.

InaSAFE works by combining hazard data from science agencies and universities with local infrastructure information provided by governments and communities.

"In the case of a flood, InaSAFE can help communities understand affected areas, and how many people will need to be evacuated and sheltered," said the disaster risk management coordinator for East Asia and the Pacific from the World Bank, Abhas Jha.

"InaSAFE is an innovative approach to understanding hazard impacts. There are already partners in the Asia region and around the world who are willing to join us in using, improving, and refining InaSAFE," Abhas Jha added.

InaSAFE was officially launched at the Fifth Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction in Yogyakarta, held from October 23 to October 25.***1***

(TZ.Y012/INE/H-YH)









(TZ.Y012/B/KR-BSR/A/H-YH) 27-10-2012 18:44:18

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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