BNPB strengthens community preparedness in Karangasem through DESTANA programme

Surakarta (ANTARA) - The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) is strengthening community preparedness in Karangasem Regency, Bali, through the Disaster-Resilient Village/Ward (DESTANA) programme, aimed at minimising the risks posed by geological and hydrometeorological hazards.

The Acting Head of BNPB’s Centre for Disaster Data, Information and Communication, Berton SP Panjaitan, said in a statement in Surakarta on Thursday that capacity building at the community level was being carried out by BNPB’s Directorate of Preparedness in a participatory manner, tailored to the characteristics of each area.

Based on the Regional Disaster Risk Assessment (KRB) for Karangasem Regency for 2025–2029, the area faces a high potential for earthquakes, eruptions of Mount Agung, landslides, floods, whirlwinds and drought.

“This diversity of threats requires a structured disaster risk reduction strategy down to the smallest unit of society,” he said.

He explained that through DESTANA facilitation, residents are encouraged to identify potential hazards, map local resources and develop preparedness scenarios for the pre-disaster phase, emergency response and post-disaster recovery.

“The success of disaster management is largely determined by the self-reliance of individuals, families, and the RT/RW and village structures,” he said.

The participatory risk mapping developed with residents will be followed up with evacuation route trials, regular outreach and routine disaster simulations.

Periodic drills are expected to build the responsiveness and collective resilience of Karangasem residents in facing future disasters.

“In addition to strengthening RT/RW structures, participatory disaster risk assessment, inclusive early warning systems, evacuation planning, and the Village Resilience Assessment (PKD) are also being provided,” he said.