The Frequency Of Disasters In Indonesia Is Increasing, President Jokowi Encourages Basarnas For Community Education On Initial Assistance

President Jokowi gave a speech from the Basarnas Raker at the Jakarta Basarnas Headquarters, Thursday (16/2/2023) ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked Basarnas to involve the public through education about initial assistance that can be done during a disaster. This is because community involvement in the process of helping and searching for victims is very important, especially in disaster-prone areas. "Therefore, educating people in places that often experience incidents, whether floods, earthquakes, or other vulnerable places, this once again educates the public, is very important so that people have the knowledge and ability to initial help," Jokowi said while giving a speech at the Basarnas Working Meeting at the Jakarta Basarnas Headquarters, as reported by Antara, Thursday, February 16. President Jokowi assesses that public education about disasters is important along with potential disasters that tend to be high. The frequency of natural disasters and major accidents in the world has increased fivefold in the last 50 years. Meanwhile, the frequency of disasters in Indonesia also experienced a significant increase, namely 81 percent, from the previous 2010 1.945 incidents, then in 2022 it increased to 3.542 incidents. "The increase is once again in 12 years 81 percent. We all hope that there will be no disasters, no major accidents," said President Jokowi. Over the past few years, Indonesia has been hit by several major accidents, starting from the 2014 Asian Air plane crash in Belitung waters, then the Lion Air JT610 plane that crashed in Karawang waters in 2018, and KM Sinar Bangun which sank on Lake Toba in the same year. Then the Sriwijaya plane crashed in the Thousand Islands in 2021. President Jokowi also appreciated the speed and response from Basarnas in saving victims. "The speed of response from Basarnas, I have to convey what it is, very quickly. Because the hope of victims and families rests on the SAR team. The speed of evacuation to determine the number of lives saved is also in the SAR team," said President Jokowi. In the Basarnas Working Meeting as well as commemorating the 51st Anniversary of Basarnas, President Jokowi was present accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Cabinet Secretary Minister Pramono Anung.