Head Of Basarnas Affirms Members Are Disaster Alert During Ramadan

The photo archive of the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Kusworo. (Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - During the month of Ramadan, the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Kusworo emphasized that all personnel remained ready to respond to the emergency response to the impact of the disaster that hit the community.

"Be aware of all the potentials that exist, of course, preparedness must be the main thing during this holy month," he said in Jakarta, quoted from ANTARA, Monday, March 11.

According to him, preparedness to provide assistance to a form of professionalism of Basarnas personnel to the people throughout Indonesia.

Especially in relation to disaster emergency conditions which according to the analysis of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) at any time its scale can increase as is currently happening.

For this reason, Kusworo instructed the Heads of the SAR Office, not only personnel who must have been prepared, but also to ensure that aircraft or helicopter assistance equipment, ships, and land tactical vehicles are in prime condition.

"All forms of readiness are carried out, not having to wait for the start of the joint Ramadan-Lebaran operation by the Minister of Transportation later," he said.

He gave an example, for some time to come some areas are still paying attention to the emergency handling of the impact of disasters by the Basarnas team. West Sumatra is one of them.

As many as 150 Basarnas personnel along with other elements are currently still carrying out evacuation efforts and searching for victims of flash floods and landslides that hit Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra.

At least until Sunday (10/3), Basarnas recorded 20,004 families who were evacuated, 23 residents who were victims of landslides, and five of them were declared missing in the search.

"So in principle, wherever the place is and whatever the conditions are, please call the number 115 Basarnas Command Center, our personnel are ready to serve 1x24 hours," concluded Kusworo.