YOGYAKARTA - Indonesia has many vulnerable areas to disasters, both natural and human induced disasters. In these last few years, many disaster cases occurred in various regions in Indonesia, such as the recent ones in Mentawai, Wasior, and Merapi. This makes us aware of the importance of preventive measures and disaster risk maps against many disaster victims. "There are efforts being initiated to immediately make a disaster risk map up to the provincial level in Indonesia," said Director for Disaster Risk Reduction of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Dr. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, when speaking in the Socialization of Disaster Information System. The event that was cooperation between Bakorsurtanal - UGM PSBA was held at Novotel Hotel on Thursday (2/12).
Purwo added that in 2011 it is expected that all provinces in Indonesia would already have disaster risk maps that can serve as guidelines for communities and local governments to anticipate and cope with disasters. With the de-concentration funds of more than 100 billion, Bakorsurtanal along with related parties, such as BNPB, is currently creating guidelines for preparing disaster risk map. "It is too long for more than two or five years to have a map of disaster risks. Hopefully, next year the disaster risk map would already be available up to the provincial level," he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Centre for Disaster Studies, UGM, Prof. Dr. Junun Sartohadi, explaining that to make a disaster risk map is not easy. The method used in the making is not easy as many who participate often have no common grounds. "Of course, all involved can have their own interest, right? Therefore, the role of Bakorsurtanal to pioneer is necessary," said Junun.
Similarly, disaster observer of the Faculty of Geography UGM, Prof. Dr. Sutikno, said that the disaster happened recently was not only a natural disaster, but at the same time the environmental disaster because it involves the human, social, and environmental. There are many follow-up impacts that have not been taken into account by the public. He cited the Merapi eruption which in fact can not be separated from other natural disasters, such as flood, tornado, and drought. "Therefore, what matters later is about other aspects, such as spatial aspects, when there is a disaster, and characteristics of the disaster," he said.
Sutikno admitted, it not easy to create a disaster information system in Indonesia with complete and accurate data. He hopes that in addition to utilizing disaster risk map, the public should remain vigilant at all times that disasters are always threatening and can reoccur.