Social Minister: Information Needs In Disaster Locations Difficult To Fulfill Due To Many Obstacles In The Field

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini when met at a press conference for the Command Center Management Technical Training which was attended in Jakarta, Friday, December 17 (Photo: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti/Antara)

JAKARTA - RI Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said the need for information related to the location of natural disasters is often difficult to fulfill due to the many obstacles in the field.

“During the East Nusa Tenggara earthquake or the eruption of Mount Semeru, it was very difficult to get information. In Lumajang, I saw the refugee post in Sumber Wuluh Village, Candipuro District, this seems to be in a vulnerable location," said Risma, at a press conference for the "Command Center Management" Technical Training which was attended in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Friday, December 17.

Risma said that the limited information made her unable to ascertain the existence of further potential threats, so that her party often needed time to be able to take the next steps.

Various forms of information related to the condition of residents in the field, he said, could only be obtained after communication was carried out with a number of parties.

Whereas in an emergency situation, fast action is needed in the field. Where the supply of information needed is not only fast, but also must be accurate.

Until finally, his party was able to make a decision whether the evacuation post could be moved to a new, safer location or following the conditions on the ground.

In order to support information at the disaster site that can be managed properly and can be utilized more optimally, his party created an integrated media called the Command Center to gather the involvement of the parties involved in solving various social problems in the field.

According to him, strengthening information in the field requires cooperation with a number of relevant ministries and institutions, including stakeholders.

However, said Risma, they still need to be assisted by strengthening information and connecting with stakeholders, including the community, to actively participate in disaster management communication traffic.

He hopes that the media launched can improve the mitigation capabilities of officers, so that they can act more quickly and precisely in accordance with emergency situations.

“I want the monitoring from satellite imagery to be conveyed to the public. So that the threat of disaster can be anticipated. Moreover, we have Tagana in each region, so that with the information from satellite imagery, we can mobilize our energy, such as Tagana, to quickly evacuate or protect people who are threatened," said Risma.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat said that a breakthrough was needed in handling various citizen problems that occurred in several different locations.

Harry explained that the Command Center was the right solution to overcome this problem. Because it can function as an integrated media that accommodates public complaints.

"Because here is a command center to respond to disasters or other social problems," he said.

He further said that the Command Center is also designed to serve various public reports regarding emergencies, so that it is expected to be able to help residents who have difficulty dealing with social problems in their area.

"It serves various reports, yes. From social conflicts, natural disasters, social assistance that is not right on target or other emergency problems," he said.