TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, reminded how important the aspects of prevention and mitigation are in disaster management. During the National Coordination Meeting for Disaster Management 2021 at the State Palace, Jokowi asked relevant parties to improve and prioritize the two aspects to reduce risks of large disaster casualties.

"I have been saying it repeatedly. Prevention, prevention. Don't be late, don't be late," Widodo said in his opening address at the meeting, Wednesday, March 3.

The president, however, said that other aspects are also crucial. His main request is that the government is not passive and not react only when a disaster occurs.

Jokowi said all parts of the society must have well-planned and detailed disaster anticipation efforts. Therefore, he added, national policies and regional policies must be truly sensitive to disaster vulnerability.

He reminded that Indonesia is a disaster-prone country and is one of the 35 countries most prone to disaster risks. He quoted the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), which reported that last year alone there were 3,253 disasters that occurred, or about nine disasters per day.

Jokowi added that Indonesia currently has Perpres no.87/2020, in which the 2020-2024 disaster management plan is set out. The long-term grand design, he said, should be implemented in the form of policies and plans.

"Including spatial planning that is sensitive and pays attention to disaster-prone aspects. These should be followed by audits and on-field control of policies and spatial planning, not just on paper."

Read: Jokowi Issues 4 Instructions on Disaster Mitigation

Egi Adyatama