Basarnas Needs Rp95.23 Billion for INSARAG Heavy Classification

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Basarnas has proposed a priority budget increase of Rp95.23 billion, which is required to enhance the capacity of the Indonesia Urban SAR (INASAR) team towards ‘Heavy Class’ standardisation, up from its previous ‘Medium Class’ status as recognised by international SAR organisations.

Basarnas Executive Secretary, Abdul Haris, stated during a working meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Wednesday, that meeting this capacity requirement is urgent, given that Indonesia is scheduled to undergo an international assessment as a member of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in 2028.

“The functional capacity upgrade towards Heavy Class is absolutely necessary so that Indonesia’s active role in international humanitarian SAR operations, as demonstrated in Turkey and Myanmar, can continue to be strengthened,” he said.

Haris explained that the proposal for the Urban SAR team falls within the urgent safety needs classification cluster, alongside a request for an additional employee expenditure budget of Rp135.37 billion to fund salaries and allowances for 3,923 new civil servants.

Within the safety cluster, Basarnas has requested a total additional budget ceiling of Rp409.33 billion, allocated simultaneously for the readiness of primary equipment, human resource capacity enhancement, personnel competence, and training.

Of this total safety budget, the largest portion, amounting to Rp213.57 billion, is allocated for the maintenance of communication systems and information technology infrastructure, followed by the enhancement of operational expertise for rescue personnel at Rp83.29 billion.

Furthermore, to maintain professionalism and the speed of decision-making by personnel during emergency conditions in the field, Basarnas has allocated a specific budget of Rp17.22 billion for integrated periodic functional training programmes.

“Finally, we are also prioritising additional funding for the initial SAR operation sector, which currently stands at zero rupiah, even though as an operational agency, the institution requires rapid and sufficient budget movement when disasters occur,” he added.