Indonesia is the second most disaster-prone country in the world, but preparedness is still weak.
JAKARTA - Based on the World Risk Report 2023, Indonesia ranks second as the most disaster-prone country in the world after the Philippines. This high vulnerability has not been balanced by an increase in adequate preparedness capacity.
Experts assess that Indonesia needs to change the approach to disaster management towards active preparedness so that the risk and impact of disasters can be suppressed from the pre-disaster stage.
Professor of Disaster and Expert Staff of the Center for Natural Disaster Studies (PSBA) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Prof Djati Mardiatno assessed that the government's attention to strengthening disaster preparedness in recent times tends to decrease.
One of the indicators is seen from the allocation of disaster mitigation budgets which is still smaller than the budget for emergency handling. He said, investment in mitigation and preparedness has a significant impact in reducing losses due to natural disasters.
"Investment for disaster mitigation and preparedness will reduce the impact of disaster events," Djati said in an official statement, Sunday, January 18.
Djati added that strengthening the capacity of community preparedness was urgent, especially for residents living in disaster-prone areas. Community-based disaster risk reduction efforts are an important initiative that must be supported by the government and local authorities.
"Multiple helix in disaster management is important because disaster problems are a common affair," he said.
In addition, according to him, it is necessary to improve Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management. The evaluation of this regulation is considered important so that it is more relevant to the dynamics and experience of disasters that have occurred so far.
The existence of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) which was born from the law also needs to be strengthened in its role as a strategic institution in disaster management.
He reminded that the threat of hydrometeorological disasters due to climate change is not only a current issue, but will be a major challenge for Indonesia in the future. This situation requires a comprehensive strengthening of disaster mitigation, without neglecting the potential for other disasters such as earthquakes.
"The role of the community, academics needs to be multiplied, intensified its involvement in disaster management," concluded Djati.