PALANGKA RAYA – EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION BUREAU. Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan H. Edy Pratowo attended the 2022 National Coordination Meeting on Disaster Management virtually, at Jayang Tingang Hall, Central Kalimantan Governor’s Office, Wednesday (23/2/2022).

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, officially opened the Coordination Meeting from the Bogor Palace. In his directives, President Joko Widodo said, as a country located in the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the 35 countries most prone to risk in the world. Almost every time there is a disaster that occurs in Indonesia, the risk is quite large, both in the number of victims and in material losses.

“Disaster management must be carried out in an integrated and systematic manner, and the master plan for disaster management for 2020-2044 must be carried out with full commitment and responsibility. All stages must be carried out in a disciplined and consistent manner. Indonesia must become a nation that is resilient to disasters,” the President said.

In his directions, the President revealed that as one of the main pillars of disaster management, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) must always improve itself. First, the work culture of BNPB must be alert, anticipatory, responsive, and adaptive. “This culture is very important because disasters come unexpectedly and suddenly. In fact, a devastating disaster that we have never imagined is Covid-19. We have to handle all the unexpected things to minimize the risk to the nation and to the state,” he stressed.

Second, the orientation on prevention must be prioritized. Third, infrastructure to reduce disaster risk must continue to be improved and carried out jointly between the government and the community. Fourth, BNPB must actively invite all Central and Regional Government officials so that all programs must be disaster-resilient oriented. Fifth, build a sustainable disaster education system, especially in disaster-prone areas.

“Disaster education is very important, disaster awareness culture must start early from every individual, family, community, school to community environment, explore various local wisdoms that exist in the community. Train the community to respond to disasters, do exercises, simulate at any time, don’t wait until the disaster strikes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan revealed that the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government supported and would follow up on the President’s directions. “Certainly, the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government is ready to support and follow up on the directions of the President of the Republic of Indonesia. This is also in line with the directions of the Central Kalimantan Governor, Mr. H. Sugianto Sabran, in terms of disaster management to prioritize anticipatory strategies and the implementation of structured disaster mitigation,” he said.

Being present at the event were the Acting Provincial Secretary, the Head of Central Kalimantan Provincial Disaster and Fire Management Service, and other related officials. (ira/fer/transl.feb)