Research related to the potential for tsunami disaster carried out by ITB researchers caused an uproar in the community. Especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic, because some media reported it as a prediction. On the other hand, natural phenomena cannot be avoided. What can be done is to reduce disaster risk by knowing the causes, as well as understanding the risks and potentials that will occur, so that solutions can be formulated.
For this reason, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in collaboration with Universitas Brawijaya (UB) helds a “Pendekar Sejati (True Warrior)” Webinar, Tuesday (06/10/2020). This webinar was held in the framework of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Month (PRB).
Deputy of BNPB Prevention, Lilik Kurniawan, S.T., M.Si said that it is necessary to involve all aspects of disaster risk management. “Support from BNPB and academics is very important in providing education to the public in dealing with natural disasters, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Lilik explained, BNPB itself already has several prevention programs, such as improving disaster risk information, strengthening disaster management institutions in the regions, disaster resilient infrastructure, strengthening disaster awareness culture, strengthening preparedness, strengthening multi-party early warning systems, and inviting public awareness / capacity building.
In addition, BNPB also has a portal called InaRisk and InaRisk Personal in disaster risk reduction which is dedicated to the community. InaRisk displays information on disaster threat, vulnerability (population, physical loss, economy and environment), capacity, and disaster risk. Inarisk can also display disaster risk index monitoring.
Moreover, BNPB launched the KATANA program to strengthen family capacity. KATANA (Disaster Resilient Family/ Keluarga Tangguh Bencana) is a Family Resilience program. Where the family must have knowledge about the threat and risk of disaster, how to avoid and prevent it, and the family must be aware that they live in a disaster-prone area and are always on alert.
Meanwhile, UB in the academic sector also makes educational applications for families which are named Pendekar Sejati. Pendekar Sejati stands for Mentoring and Education for Healthy Families to Take Care of Yourself & Resilient Families in Indonesia.
The activity with the theme “The Role of BNPB and Academics in Strengthening Family Resilience in Facing the Natural Disasters during the Covid-19 Pandemic” is the second series in the framework of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Month. Besides BNPB, the presenters who attended were Dr. Eng. Turningtyas Ayu Rachmawati, S.T., M.T (UB), Professor of Disaster UB, Prof. Drs. Adi Susilo, M.Si., Ph.D, and Prof. Harkunti Rahayu from ITB.
“In the future, it is hoped that Pendekar Sejati application can synergize with InaRisk as family education in dealing with natural disasters,” said the Secretary of UB Center of Earth and Disaster Mitigation Studies, Dr. Eng. Turningtyas Ayu Rachmawati, S.T., M.T. [MA / Irene/ Humas UB/ Trans. Iir]
