Universitas Gadjah Mada is committed in disaster risk reduction to achieve the Indonesia that is disaster resilient. Projects made include the establishment of the Disaster Response Unit (DERU), dispatching student for student community service (KKN) for disaster response, and building disaster resilient village.
“UGM is also expediting the steps to be a pioneer in Disaster Resilient Campus as part of the Safety, Health and Enviromental (SHE) programmes,” said Vice-Rector for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman, on Tuesday (24/11) in the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM UGM).
Opening the Workshop and Simulation on Disaster Response for UGM academic community, Suratman said policies made by UGM were directed towards realising a disaster resilient campus in order to minimise the disaster impacts. Strengthening of institution and human resource in disaster management continue to be conducted by giving training and simulation. The disaster response training last from 24-25 November 2015 involving 60 staff.
“Disaster management and mitigation are important to be understood by UGM academic community as we live in an area prone to disasters. As such, we can be on the alert all the time and be responsive,” he said.
Committee Chairman of the Workshop, dr. Agung Budiyatnto, M,P., Ph.D., said simulation and evacuation were efforts to build disaster mitigation management through institutional strengthening at UGM with the hope that UGM may become a Disaster Resilient Campus. It is expected that human resource having knowledge and skills in disaster response can be generated; also to raise awareness among academic community about natural disasters in Indonesia so as to minimise impacts.