Urgent disaster mitigation needed as UMJ expert highlights logistics and government response

Indonesia is still facing threats from multiple natural disasters, from flash floods in Aceh and earthquakes in East Nusa Tenggara to forest fires in Kalimantan and hazards linked to Anak Krakatau volcano. The situation underscores the need to strengthen mitigation, preparedness and government response, including the availability and distribution of supplies for affected communities.

Dr. Mawar, a disaster mitigation and management expert at Muhammadiyah University Jakarta, says Indonesia’s preparedness remains in transition from a reactive approach to a preventive one. Monitoring and information systems have improved, helping speed up disaster alerts, but prevention, community readiness and resource management continue to face problems.

The country has a high level of disaster risk, making mitigation essential before disasters occur. Obstacles include limited funding for prevention, difficulties maintaining early-detection equipment and unequal capacity between regions. Disaster literacy and evacuation drills have also not yet become routine. Education efforts often increase only after a disaster, while preparedness requires regular training and public outreach.

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Indonesia’s disaster preparedness and mitigation are currently in a transition phase from a reactive system toward a preventive approach. Therefore, preparedness must be built continuously before a disaster occurs.

“Indonesia’s disaster preparedness and mitigation are currently in a transition phase from a reactive system toward a preventive approach. Therefore, preparedness must be built continuously before a disaster occurs,” Dr. Mawar said.

She said mapping areas at risk should guide spatial planning, settlement locations, public facilities, evacuation routes and shelter sites. Early-warning systems can give communities and authorities time to act, but warnings alone are not enough. “Every piece of information from an early-warning system should be followed up with various standard operating procedures, or SOPs. That way, communities and officers already know what steps to take when a warning is issued,” she said.

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Every piece of information from an early-warning system should be followed up with various standard operating procedures, or SOPs. That way, communities and officers already know what steps to take when a warning is issued.