BNPB Urges All Districts to Build Disaster Logistics Warehouses

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is strongly encouraging all districts and cities in Indonesia to establish dedicated disaster logistics warehouses. BNPB Head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto emphasized the critical importance of these facilities, particularly given the current state of many regional disaster management agency (BPBD) warehouses, which he described as often being empty.

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The existence of disaster logistics warehouses with sufficient aid supplies becomes important if a disaster occurs at any time.

Suharyanto explained that the lack of readily available supplies at the local level significantly hampers the government's ability to provide a rapid response in the crucial initial phase of a disaster. He cited recent earthquake events where local BPBDs were unable to provide substantial aid due to empty warehouses, leading to public outcry over delayed assistance.

To address this, BNPB proposes that these warehouses be stocked with essential basic necessities, including food staples, blankets, tents, and mattresses. The estimated cost for stocking each warehouse is between Rp5 to Rp10 billion. The goal is to create a buffer stock that can be immediately distributed to affected communities while awaiting aid from the central government.

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Many of the BPBD's logistics warehouses in many regions are in a state of emptiness. This condition also makes it difficult for local governments to respond quickly in the early phase of a disaster.

This initiative has reportedly received positive feedback from President Prabowo Subianto, who acknowledged the proposal's merit and indicated that the national government would consider its nationwide implementation. The President suggested that provinces and regencies should each have their own warehouses and food reserves, similar to the proposed national plan.

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When the earthquake happened yesterday, the region could not do much because the BPBD logistics warehouses were empty.

Suharyanto believes that having these local logistics hubs will significantly streamline the distribution process, reducing the time it takes for aid to reach those in need. He stated that the current delays often lead to public frustration, even when aid is already en route from higher government levels.

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I think that's a good suggestion. So let's calculate it nationally, then we will help each province, so that the governor has warehouses and food preparations, just like the regents.