Social Service Minister Inaugurates Banser Disaster Response Team

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Social Service Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa inaugurated the disaster response team of Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser), the youth wing of Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Saturday.

"Banser as a multipurpose front will increase the number of disaster response agency (Tagana) members. Some of the 274 natural disaster-prone areas are located in East Java," she said.

As a strategic element in Indonesia, Banser is expected to contribute significantly to the nation, particularly in dealing with natural disasters, she said.

East Java is one of the disaster-prone areas in Indonesia, Khofifah noted.

Citing an example, she said the Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang, East Java, has been temporarily closed due to volcanic ash emanating from Mount Bromo.

In addition, Mount Kelud in East Java also spewed volcanic ash into the sky some time ago, accompanied by volcanic tremors, the minister stated.

"(Several parts of) East Java were also flooded recently. The participation of the public, including Banser, in East Java in addressing natural and social disasters is an important element. I would like to express my gratitude to the ranks and files of the Ansor youth movement for their participation," she said.

Khofifah also expressed hope that the disaster response teams would provide the best and quickest possible service (to the public in affected areas). This is important as Indonesia is prone to disasters.

ANTARA