VP Ma’ruf Amin: Disaster Mitigation Part of Gov’t Priority Programs
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin delivers his remarks through a video conference at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Disaster Management National Coordination Meeting on Thursday (02/24) (Photo by: BPMI of Vice-Presidential Secretariat)
Disaster risk mitigation and post-disaster recovery measures are part of the Government’s priority programs, according to Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.
“Strengthening disaster mitigation and preparedness must remain a priority as reflected in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for the 2020-2024 period,” the Vice President said at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Disaster Management National Coordination Meeting on Thursday (02/24).
For the record, the 2020 World Risk Index data shows that Indonesia is a country that ranks 40th among 181 disaster-prone countries.
In the meantime, data from Ministry of Finance in 2020 states that the average cost for natural and non-natural disasters reaches Rp 22.8 trillion for a year.
In terms of casualties, in the span of 5 years between 2016 and 2020, there were 30 million people who were displaced, 29,000 who were injured, and 7,000 who were dead and missing.
The Vice President also said that several types of disasters that often occur in Indonesia are extreme weather, earthquakes, floods and landslides, adding that the four types of disasters, he added, are closely related to the issue of the climate crisis.
“Considering geographical location of Indonesia, mapping of climate and disaster risks is absolutely necessary. In addition, the issue of the climate crisis increasingly demands holistic handling with a multi-disciplinary approach,” he said.
The Vice President also explained that the Government has issued several policy instruments for disaster risk management, including the Master Plan for Disaster Management (RIPB) stipulated in Presidential Regulation Number 87 of 2020 which provides a long-term disaster management roadmap until 2044.
In terms of budgeting, he added, Indonesia has a Joint Disaster Management Fund as part of mutual cooperation measures in financing disaster risk.
Ma’ruf also expressed hope that the 2022 Disaster Management National Coordination Meeting could produce concrete solutions and bring benefits to all Indonesian people.
In the meantime, Head of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Suharyanto said that the BNPB’s disaster management programs are in line with directives of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
“The President’s directives emphasize disaster prevention, work culture, collaboration, use of technology, and public awareness campaign,” Suharyanto remarked. (BPMI of Vice-Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RI/EP)
