BPBD of Sabu Raijua Regency, NTT, Develops Disaster Management Plan to Mitigate Potential Disasters

Sabu Raijua, East Nusa Tenggara, August 15, 2024 – The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Sabu Raijua Regency, in collaboration with Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) and the Cerdas Antisipasi Risiko Bencana Indonesia (CARI) team, held the third workshop on the preparation of the 2025-2029 Disaster Management Plan (RPB) in Sabu Raijua Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The workshop, titled "Harmonizing Programs and Activities for the Sabu Raijua Regency Disaster Management Plan," concluded a series of two similar participatory activities conducted since April 2024.

As an island region on the outermost line of Indonesia, Sabu Raijua Regency faces various potential natural disasters, such as drought, forest and land fires, extreme weather (storms), floods and landslides, tidal waves and abrasion, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The BPBD has assessed these disaster potentials in terms of threats, vulnerabilities, and capacities and has been documented in the Sabu Raijua Regency Disaster Risk Assessment 2020-2024 as a prerequisite for developing the RPB.

"The preparation of the RPB document aligns with Law No. 24 of 2007, which mandates regional governments to implement disaster risk reduction measures at the regency or city level. The preparation of the RPB also needs to consider various perspectives, not only from the disaster management viewpoint but also in relation to other sectors such as the economy and social aspects. Therefore, preparing the RPB requires collaboration from various parties," said the Regent of Sabu Raijua Regency, Nikodemus Nithanael Rihi Heke.

The BPBD of Sabu Raijua Regency has formulated the objectives, targets, strategies, policy directions, and programs for the 2025-2029 RPB. Over the past five months, BPBD, together with YKAN and CARI, has involved the government, Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), and community representatives from all villages in Sabu Raijua Regency to propose programs and activities that can support the formulation of the RPB. The results of this formulation were further discussed at the third workshop to achieve harmonization and integration among various stakeholders in the Sabu Raijua Regency.

"This final draft of the RPB will serve as the basis for the BPBD to strengthen disaster risk reduction efforts in Sabu Raijua Regency. The Regional Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (RAD-PRB) table, which is part of the RPB document, has been completed and will be socialized to all involved parties. This RAD-PRB table outlines the plans for all programs and activities for the next five years to address the objectives and targets of the strategic issues established in the RPB," explained the Head of BPBD of Sabu Raijua Regency, Javid Ndu Ufi.

Disaster Mitigation Through Ecosystem-based Adaptation

Climate change has increased coastal communities' risk and vulnerability to natural disasters. This is further exacerbated by population growth and land use changes that damage coastal ecosystems. The Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach is considered a nature-based solution to address the impacts of climate change on humans and nature.

The foundation of EbA, based on ecosystem management, helps communities cope with climate adaptation deficits and contributes to enhancing the local economy, which may be based on natural resources.

"To implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation, YKAN, along with stakeholders, will assist coastal communities, especially at the village level, in assessing climate risks, identifying and adopting disaster risk reduction strategies, and nature-based climate change adaptation," said Mariski Nirwan, Senior Manager of Coastal Area Resilience at YKAN.

This series of assessments is expected to contribute to ecosystem resilience and reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities in Sabu Raijua Regency. Additionally, the results of these assessments have identified priority support and interventions for disaster risk reduction in Sabu Raijua Regency.