Opening Disaster Summit, Pramono Calls for Stronger Synergy and Readiness
Reported by Dessy Suciati | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Jakarta administration is bolstering its disaster readiness ahead of potential crises during the 2026 Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Coordination Meeting.
Hope this summit serves as a vital springboard to sharpen Jakarta’s disaster readiness
In his keynote address, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung underscored the critical need for timely, swift, and accurate disaster information for the public, citing Jakarta’s standing as a rising global city that remains acutely vulnerable to natural disasters.
“One of the key areas that requires tight coordination is ensuring that disaster-related information reaches the public in a timely and rapid manner, yet remains completely accurate,” Pramono expressed, at the Aryaduta Hotel in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (10/6).
Fire Mitigation Demanded to Enhance Preventive MeasuresHe insisted that disaster prevention can no longer be treated as business as usual.
Instead, he called for a true all-hands-on-deck response, urging unprecedented coordination across the board—rallying the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), as well as corporate players, grassroots volunteers, and everyday residents to protect the capital.
Pointing to Jakarta’s track record, he recalled how the administration tackled the fallout from Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption. In that crisis, City Hall moved swiftly—firing off rapid-fire public alerts while deploying rapid-response teams to mitigate choking volcanic ash across the capital.
The city applied the same playbook during prolonged droughts fueled by El Niño, stepping in with weather modification operations (OMC)—popularly known as cloud seeding—to induce artificial rain. The gambit was designed not just to break the dry spell, but to neutralize looming fire hazards across densely packed neighborhoods like Tambora and Cakung.
Backing his warning with an Oxford University disaster report, Pram pointed out that countries straddling the Ring of Fire sit on a perpetual powder keg—demanding relentless preparedness rather than complacency.
He also cautioned that post-disaster recovery drains immense resources if prevention falls short.
"I urge Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) officials once again: stay vigilant, stay agile, and respond swiftly to any disaster threat coming our way," he insisted.
Echoing the governor’s remarks, Jakarta BPBD Acting Head Marulitua Sijabat noted that the meeting was convened to align cross-sector policies, strengthen Jakarta’s resilience as a global city, and champion inclusive disaster governance.
"Hope this summit serves as a vital springboard to sharpen Jakarta’s disaster readiness—from precision evacuation mapping to bulletproof logistics and infrastructure—ensuring relief efforts for evacuees strictly meet minimum service standards," he explained.
The coordination meeting brought together sub-district and urban village heads from across the capital, drawing 110 participants in person and another 319 joining virtually.
