Jokowi: Do Not Have A New Disaster, We Must Be Confused, We Should Fight Against Each Other

President Joko Widodo in a national coordination meeting for disaster management

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo revealed that the main key to reducing the risk of disasters that hit Indonesia lies in the aspects of prevention and mitigation.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when chairing the opening of the 2021 National Disaster Management Coordination Meeting (Rakornas PB) at the State Palace, Central Jakarta.

"Don't be late, don't be late. This doesn't mean that we don't pay attention to other aspects of disaster management. It's not that. But also don't let us be just reactive when a disaster occurs," Jokowi said in the National Coordination Meeting of PB broadcast on YouTube BNPB Indonesia, Wednesday, 3 March.

Jokowi said that all ranks must prepare themselves with anticipation that is really well planned and detailed. Therefore, national policies and regional policies must be in harmony.

"We don't want a new disaster, we hurry, make a fuss, or even blame each other. Such a thing should not happen," said Jokowi.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo said Indonesia experienced economic losses of IDR 22.8 trillion each year due to disasters.

"The Minister of Finance said that every year we experience economic losses due to disasters an average of 22.8 trillion rupiah per year, a very large number," said Doni.

Not to mention, Indonesia must face casualties who died as a result of the disaster. BNPB recorded the death toll due to disasters in the last 10 years, an average of 1,183 people died as a result of the disaster.

According to Doni, the World Bank has labeled Indonesia as one of the 35 countries with the highest disaster risk level in the world.

In the past year, from early February 2020 to February 2021, BNPB recorded 3,253 disasters in Indonesia.

"This means that every day there are 9 disasters in Indonesia. Whether it be earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, forest and land fires, floods, flash floods, landslides, and tornadoes, every disaster is always followed by loss of property and casualties," he said. Doni.

Today's National Coordination Meeting of PB was also held virtually and attended by ministers, institutional leaders, governors, regents, mayors, representatives of the business world, experts, academics, community organizations, disaster volunteers, and micro PPKM task forces.