Acting Governor: City Performs Various Hydrometeorological Disaster Mitigation Efforts

There are two priorities for disaster management in Jakarta

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono, confirmed that the Jakarta Provincial Government has made various efforts to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters.

According to him, the efforts included dredging rivers and reservoirs; conducting drainage checks and pumps; optimizing the early warning system; readiness of disaster management equipment and personnel; to ensure synergy with various parties including the army, police, and volunteers.

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"There are two priorities for disaster management in Jakarta. The first is ensuring that there are no casualties. While the second is accelerating recovery so that conditions return to normal soon thus all those affected can return to living a good life," he expressed, when he attended the National Preparedness Ceremony for Hydrometeorological Disasters at Buperta Cibubur, Ciracas, East Jakarta, Wednesday (11/9).

He explained that the ceremony itself is a collaboration between the Jakarta Government, the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and various other humanitarian activist institutions known as the Disaster Management Squad.

"This morning's ceremony is held online and offline with the number of online participants around 10 provinces and 34 city districts. Then offline participants with 2,500 people consisting of elements of 10 ministries and institutions of the army, regional government police, three provincial BPBDs, BUMNs, BUMDs, 15 sub-districts, five universities, and 128 disaster activists," he explained.

According to him, it was carried out with information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) that there was the potential for extreme weather from November 2020 to February 2023.

"Heavy rain is forecast, accompanied by lightning and strong winds. Hence, the potential for hydrometeorological disasters that need to be anticipated in the form of floods and landslides. The ceremony this morning will also be followed by simulation activities for flood disaster management," he explained.

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, Muhadjir Effendy revealed that every level of government and society must take action to anticipate hydrometeorological disasters. Disaster preparedness is very important to minimize risks and unwanted impacts.

Based on the BNPB data, the disasters in 2021 have increased by 16 percent compared to the incidence of disasters in 2020, as well as those affected and displaced by an increase of 12 percent.

"This condition is certainly a reflection that more maximum efforts are still needed at the national, regional, and community levels. Cooperation of all parties is needed, thus disaster anticipation can be maximized," he continued.

He continued that the preparedness ceremony and disaster simulation exercises were elements that played a very important role in building awareness and awareness together in the context of preparedness in dealing with disasters. It should be used as a momentum to strengthen cooperation in disaster management between institutions/organizations, assess the capability of supporting equipment for early warning, evacuation, and emergency response, and increase the capacity of human resources in implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Jakarta BPBD Head, Isnawa Adji added that it was also mobilizing disaster management facilities and infrastructure from ministries/agencies, OPD, BUMN, BUMD, and volunteers.

"There are at least 132 disaster handling cars, 24 motorcycles, 103 boats, and 24 tents from various institutions," he stated.

Then participation from non-government elements was also high. It can be seen from several institutions/volunteers who want to participate in apple activities such as Baznas Bazis, Human Initiative, Dompet Dhuafa, Zakat House, Sabhawana, RAPI, ORARI, etc.

"They also bring the facilities and infrastructure owned by their respective institutions. There are at least 136 non-governmental organizations that voluntarily participate, including logistical support for today's activities," he stated.

As for the information, in the ceremony, the ceremony supervisor was Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, Muhadjir Effendy, while the ceremony leader was Jakarta BPBD Head, Marulitua Sijabat.

After the ceremony, disaster management simulations were also carried out by joint personnel.