Risma Emphasizes Community Independence To Minimize Disaster Impact

JAKARTA - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini emphasized the importance of community independence in minimizing the impact of disasters caused by extreme weather that causes floods and landslides.

Social Minister Risma asked all parties to increase awareness and be given good education in anticipating disasters.

While visiting the flood location in Jayaraksa Village, Baros District, Sukabumi City, Friday, February 18 evening, Social Minister Risma also emphasized the importance of stakeholders ensuring the safety of vulnerable groups in disaster management.

This can be done, one of which is by placing a sign in every house of vulnerable groups, namely the elderly, people with disabilities, or toddlers and pregnant women.

“Every house of this vulnerable group can be given a sign. Later when a disaster strikes, Tagana and other disaster management agencies can give priority to handling them," said Social Minister Risma as quoted by Antara, Saturday, February 19.

The Minister of Social Affairs and his entourage moved to Sukabumi, after previously checking the disaster site in the Vila Nusa Indah area in Cileungsi, Bogor Regency.

Arriving at the location of the flood and landslide in Jayaraksa Village, he, accompanied by the Mayor of Sukabumi Achmad Fahmi, the Head of Police and the Dandim of Sukabumi City, went straight down a narrow alley and checked the water channel that had burst due to overflowing water.

On that occasion, Social Minister Risma also checked the condition of the Health Post and the operation of the public kitchen that was established by the Taruna Siaga Disaster (Tagana). He greeted and encouraged the Tagana personnel.

In front of the Mayor and his staff, Risma emphasized the importance of preparedness and good coordination of elements of disaster management in the regions. This can be done by recognizing the regional character of each region.

For example, in areas with a certain slope, it will increase the risk of disasters, especially during the rainy season like now. “The conditions here are almost the same as at Villa Nusa Indah. The area is located on a slope, conditions like this require anticipatory steps, because the potential for disasters is greater," he said.

Social Minister Risma asked residents who live in disaster-prone areas such as hills, cliff slopes, and areas with a certain slope, to increase their vigilance when the intensity of rain increases. For example, setting up a temporary shelter.

“I ask that there be education for people in disaster-prone areas. If the intensity of the rain increases as it is now, they can occupy tents or temporary shelters that have been prepared. Later, when it is certain that the threat of disaster has decreased, we can return to our homes,” said the Minister of Social Affairs.

As long as residents occupy tents or temporary shelters, the Ministry of Social Affairs provides support in the form of logistical assistance and other living necessities. In this way, it is hoped that it will reduce material losses, especially fatalities.

On that occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs symbolically handed over aid for flood victims in Sukabumi City in the amount of Rp.460.666.600. The type of assistance is in the form of logistical assistance and compensation for the heirs of a deceased victim.

The flood and landslide disaster in Jayaraksa Village, on Thursday, February 17, resulted in the death of a resident. The high intensity of the rain made the Cisuda River overflow and hit a number of surrounding areas.

Logistical assistance in the form of 900 packages of ready-to-eat food, 420 packages of children's food, 1,000 packages of ready-to-eat side dishes, 200 packages of children's ware, 200 packages of adult clothes, and 100 rolls of tents. Other assistance included 200 blankets, 100 mattresses, 10 velbeds, 100 packs of mattresses, 30 boxes of bottled drinking water and 100 packs of baby diapers.