BNPB Promotes Disaster Risk Reduction

Jakarta, InfoPublik - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB) Deputy Chief for Prevention and Preparedness B. Wisnu Widjaja said that Indonesia has a lot of experience in disaster management, but it has not been promoted properly.

“We have a big task to conduct a joint-promotion about disaster risk reduction to all levels of society, including vulnerable groups including the group of disabled people”, said Wisnu in his speech when opening the Workshop on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction at Graha BNPB, Jakarta, Tuesday (9/13).

Knowledge and experience about disaster risk reduction (DRR) of this vulnerable group should be used as a learning tool and they could be DRR active human resources. Hopefully with their limitations, persons with disabilities could remain active and work in disaster management, he said.

The workshop was attended by representatives of Deputies in BNPB, local and international NGOs, and representatives of UNESCAP. "The targets of this program are parties involved in DRR-related policy and decisions making. However, in the future it is also expected that other parties are concerned with DRR and many disabled people are interested and want to use this tool,” said Wisnu.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) representative Aiko Akiyama stated that disability-inclusive is a matter of all parties.

ESCAP was present to provide learning and sharing for disability-inclusive, they already have the disability-inclusive DRR e-learning tool.

Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR) is included in ESCAP e-learning tool and is expected to be a reference for disabled people. “We also accept input for Siaga Tangguh Inclusive E-Learning Modules and we also accept input from the Philippines regarding the Draft of E-LEARNING ESCAP: Disability- Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction”, said Aiko.

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of People with Disabilities (PPDI) Gufroni Sakaril said that BNPB has already been working with PPDI not only at the provincial level but also at district/city level as a partner, included in the DRR Month. "People with disability should learn to improve themselves in disaster management," said Gufroni. (Translator: Erik Limantara)