President Jokowi Tells Regional Leaders to Incorporate Disaster Risk in Development Plans

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 2 Maret 2023
Category: News
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President Jokowi open the National Coordination Meeting of Disaster Management 2023, Thursday (02/03) at JIExpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta (Source: Screenshot)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged regional governments to incorporate disaster risks into their development plans to identify areas prone to natural disasters and to prevent construction in those locations.

The President made the statement during the National Coordination Meeting for Disaster Management 2023, at the JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta, Thursday, (02/03).

“The regions must include disaster risks in their development and investment plans. There must be planning involved so it is clear where construction can and cannot take place,” said the President.

The President also emphasized that the implementation of these plans must be monitored on the ground, citing examples of buildings being constructed on riverbanks that are prone to annual flooding.

“I am on the ground every day and I see it. It is the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) that is supposed to handle planning. However, sometimes planning is already in place, but implementation on the ground is not monitored or controlled. That is where our weakness lies,” he said.

The President also called on the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and regional governments to identify potential disasters in their respective areas.

“I urge the BPBD and regional governments to identify potential disasters in their respective areas, such as landslides, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. And, more importantly, allocate funds for it,” he said.

The Head of State also asked Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto and related officials to simplify regulations related to disaster management, especially in the distribution of aid to affected communities.

“I urge Suharyanto and Heads of the BPBD in the regions to simplify the regulations. Governors, Mayors, and Regents should simplify them. In disaster situations, speed is essential,” he said.

The President also highlighted the distribution of aid to disaster victims in Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) province, Palu, and Cianjur which he said were still hindered by complicated procedures.

He also pointed out relief for disaster victims should not be stored in aid posts but directly distributed to affected communities.

“Don’t let people who have been affected by disasters, lost their families and livelihoods, have a hard time receiving aid. I am saying here to simplify the rules,” he concluded. (FID/UN) (AS/EP)

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