Written by : Syukron Subkhi
Indonesia, a nation prone to disasters that have brought immense material and immaterial losses, underscoring the imperative for enhanced disaster management efforts. While strides have been made by the Indonesian government in disaster mitigation, there remains room for improvement, particularly in the sector of technological advancement and innovation.
This pursuit of innovation in disaster management is a direct response to initiatives championed by the Indonesian government since May 2022. At the 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Bali Province, the discourse surrounding technology and innovation in disaster industrialization gained prominence, laying the groundwork for subsequent actions.
Against this backdrop, the recent National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) RAKORNAS PB 2024 assumed heightened significance. Held on April 23rd and 24th at the El Royale Hotel in Bandung, the gathering convened a list of experts, policymakers, and government officials to chart Indonesia’s resilience trajectory for 2025 – 2029.
Our delegation, Dr. Dicky Muslim, Wewin Wira Cornelis Wahid, Akhirul Insan, Nadira Alyssa, Cecilia Nonifili Yuanita, Alifa Zalfa Poetry Wicaksono, and Kharis Aulia Alam joined the discussions on bolstering disaster preparedness across the archipelago of Indonesia. Their attendance underscored a collective commitment to fortify Indonesia’s resilience fabric.
With representatives from Regional Agencies for Disaster Management (BPBD) in attendance, the forum delved deep into the development of disaster response and management. Divided into five commissions, namely Regulation and Strategy, Pre-Disaster, Emergency and Logistics, Post-Disaster, and Disaster Management Governance.
The coordination meeting continued on its second day with the distinguished presence of Indonesia’s Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. Embracing a multi-sectoral approach, ministers from pivotal domains such as industry, agriculture, and finance lent their insights towards a unified strategy. In his address, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin highlighted the predominance of wet hydrometeorological disasters in 2023 and the persisting high-risk areas across the nation. To mitigate the increasingly complex impacts and risks of disasters, he outlined key directives for the participants of RAKORNAS PB 2024.
Firstly, he emphasized the need to advance the industrializ. d ation of disaster management through the application of technology and innovation, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence. According to the Vice President, artificial intelligence technology will aid in disaster monitoring, early warning system development, capacity enhancement in disaster mitigation, and minimizing disaster risks.
Secondly, he urged for accurate and valid disaster risk mapping, emphasizing its integration into spatial planning, environmental management, and natural resource utilization to control existing disaster risks and prevent new ones.
Thirdly, he emphasized the importance of the reinforcement of disaster services, suggesting the strengthening of BPBD institutions in terms of authority, human resource competence, logistics, and equipment.
Furthermore, he called for the implementation of post-disaster recovery policies and efforts, highlighting the importance of proportional roles between central and regional authorities to build community resilience, reduce future disaster risks, and ensure efficient disaster financing.
Finally, he urged the integrative planning and financing of disaster management activities to address budget disparities among regions, proposing the utilization of Disaster Management Joint Fund tailored to each region’s risk level to bridge the financial gap in disaster management.
Dr. Rustian, the Secretary-General of BNPB, explained the final results of the commission discussions, which paved the way for everyone to agree on how to handle disasters nationally. He emphasized the need for better cooperation in developing disaster-related technology and innovation, considering local wisdom and available resources to boost technological advancement in disaster management. Other than that, he emphasized the importance of improving the quality and fulfillment of Minimal Service Standards (SPM) for Disaster Sub-Sectors through collaborative initiatives and partnerships. Lastly, he highlighted the necessity of enhancing emergency governance and logistics and upgrading integrated disaster preparedness systems based on information technology.
Echoing a resolute commitment to national resilience, the event drew to a close under the guidance of Professor Muhadjir Effendy, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture of Indonesia. His parting remarks not only underscored the significance of collective action but also innovation in disaster management governance. He mentioned it is important to get to know and approach disasters. This involves raising awareness and creating disaster typologies. Prof. Muhadjur stresses that by identifying and understanding disasters in their areas, efforts for mitigation and handling can be more effective. This includes innovating disaster management technology and refining policies. He also urges every local government in Indonesia to exchange experiences regarding disasters in their areas, and how they handle them, and to learn broader lessons from countries facing high levels of disasters.
As the recent National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) RAKORNAS PB 2024 wrapped up, it signaled a shared commitment to strengthen Indonesia’s resilience. With expert insights and government guidance, the event highlighted progress in disaster management while also pointing out areas to improve, especially in technology and innovation. These lessons offer hope as Indonesia works towards resilience, encouraging preparedness and innovation in the face of challenges.
The post The National Disaster Coordination Meeting (Rakornas PB) to Shape Indonesia’s Resilience Strategy: The Development of Technology and Innovation in Disaster Management appeared first on Resilience Development Initiative.
