Lowokwaru (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) held a Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Training at the Montana Hotel, Malang City, Tuesday (18/7/2023). This activity was opened directly by the Mayor of Malang Drs. H. Sutiaji who was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Malang City PKK TP Widayati Sutiaji.
In his speech, Malang Mayor Sutiaji said that he deliberately attended with his wife because disaster management activities are not only for men, but women also have an important role.
He said, in accordance with Arema's One Soul Greeting, so when there are members of the community or relatives who need help, even without being ordered, they must immediately try to help.
"That is why it is very important to participate in this activity to improve the skills of volunteers to be resilient and responsive when facing disasters. We are here to uphold the values of humanity. Because why? Because we are also human," explained Sutiaji.
He further said that basic human needs include the need for food, drink, shelter, and others. However, besides that, there are also social needs, one of which is the need to socialize, adapt to the environment, and be in a community environment. "Of course, as humans, we must also be willing to protect. Protecting the less fortunate, helping sick relatives, helping fellow human beings who are in trouble, and others," he explained.
Moreover, in Indonesia, throughout 2022 the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that there were 3.522 natural disasters in Indonesia, dominated by floods with 1.520 incidents. "That is why it requires resilience and good preparedness in facing various disasters that may strike," said the bespectacled man.
Moreover, Indonesia is an archipelagic country which of course will be very vulnerable to disasters. Therefore, according to him, education to prepare a disaster-responsive community must continue to be carried out. "In 2022 in Malang City there were 481 disasters which of course really require skills and preparedness to anticipate and deal with them," he added.
Meanwhile, the Head of BPBD Malang City Drs. Prayitno, M.AP revealed that this activity was attended by 100 volunteers from five sub-districts in Malang City. The purpose of this activity is to improve the skills and abilities of volunteers in dealing with disasters. "The number of TRC BPBD Malang City personnel is very limited, only 12 people to be able to reach the entire city of Malang, this is clearly very difficult," explained Prayitno.
For that, by maximizing volunteers in five sub-districts coordinated directly by the sub-district head, it is hoped that disaster management in Malang City will be better. In this case, the sub-district head also plays a role in coordinating community empowerment where the breakdown is related to disasters.
"The sub-district head together with us can be a commander in terms of disaster, so this training is carried out with the concept that each sub-district head has as many as 20 personnel trained in disaster management. That starts from the public kitchen, health assistance, and also communication. The hope is that when a disaster occurs, the sub-district head can be present as soon as possible with the support of qualified personnel while waiting for the BPBD and related regional apparatus," explained Prayitno in closing. (cah/yon)
