BMKG Ordered to Strengthen Resilience to Natural Disasters

Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for strengthened resilience to natural disasters since the country is exposed to a high risk of geotechnical and hydro meteorological disasters, as well as multi-hazard in which the frequency, duration, and intensity increased year after year. 
 
"As the challenges continue to increase, we have to strengthen our resilience to disasters, to strengthen management of disaster handling, anticipation, and mitigation in order to minimize risks of fatalities, damage, and financial losses," President Jokowi said in his remarks at the opening of the 2021 National Development Coordination Meeting of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) through video conference on Thursday (29/7), as quoted by the Cabinet Secretariat's website. 
 
The President cited an example that within a period of 2008-2016, around 5,000 to 6,000 quakes hit Indonesia per year. 

In 2017 and 2019, he added, the number increased to 7,169 and 11,500 respectively.
 
He added that within a period of 1950-1980, El N?no happened at intervals of five to seven years, while within a period of 1981-2020, the anomaly happened at intervals of two to three years. 
 
On that occasion, the Head of State delivered four points of note to increase the country’s resilience to deal with natural disasters. 
First, the BMKG must create innovations and use the cutting-edge technology in providing their services. 
 
Second, warning and information from the BMKG must be taken into account and serve as a reference in decision making process of the Government in various sectors. 
 
President Jokowi underscored that the policies at the national and regional levels must anticipate disaster risks. 
 
He also called on ministries/institutions, regional governments to enhance synergy and collaboration with the BMKG. 
 
Third, the President reminded all the importance of improving disaster management and adaptation, particularly at regions, sub-districts, villages, and provinces. 
 
Fourth, sustainable dissemination and education must be carried out to the people particularly those living in disaster-prone regions. 
 
In addition, the public must be encouraged to seek accurate information from reliable sources and avoid false news and hoaxes. 
 
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