BRIN: Research-Based Disaster Mitigation Becomes Strategic Necessity for Regions
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Amarulla Octavian, Deputy Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has emphasised the importance of strengthening disaster risk mitigation policies based on research and innovation in sustainable regional development.
“Strengthening disaster risk mitigation policies based on research and innovation has become a strategic necessity in sustainable regional development,” Amarulla stated in a statement issued in Jakarta on Sunday.
Amarulla stressed that research and innovation must form the foundation for policy formulation, enabling disaster management to be carried out swiftly, accurately, and sustainably.
In the context of disaster management in Sumatra, BRIN has established a “Task Force Supporting Disaster Management” as a concrete manifestation of the agency’s role through scientific approaches.
Amarulla continued, BRIN’s strategic role is realised through the provision of scientific data and technology to support decision-making by regional government authorities.
At the regional level, he clarified, disaster risk mitigation is realised through integrating disaster risk reduction into development planning documents such as the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), Regional Government Work Plan (RKPD), and Regional Contingency Plan.
“Through this approach, mitigation is no longer merely responsive in nature, but becomes an integral part of regional development strategy,” he stated.
Amarulla cited West Sumatra as an example of best practice in implementing disaster risk mitigation policies at the regional level. The province faces complex disaster risks, ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to floods and landslides.
Nevertheless, the West Sumatra Provincial Government, together with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and stakeholders, has demonstrated strong commitment in strengthening policy-based mitigation and cross-sectoral collaboration.
According to Amarulla, West Sumatra’s experience can serve as a model for strengthening regional policies in disaster risk mitigation for other provinces and districts/municipalities with similar disaster vulnerability characteristics.
Disaster mitigation policies supported by scientific data, careful planning, and inter-agency coordination have proven capable of increasing regional resilience whilst ensuring proper budget allocation during post-disaster infrastructure development stages.
Moving forward, Amarulla stated that BRIN will focus disaster management policies on strengthening research-based mitigation and preparedness, developing dynamic disaster risk maps, enhancing disaster science education and knowledge dissemination, and strengthening inter-ministerial, inter-agency, and central-regional government collaboration.
Within the context of regional institutions, BRIN is also encouraging the strengthening of BRIDA and Bapperida’s roles as drivers of research and innovation at the regional level.
“We hope that shared understanding will develop that disaster risk mitigation cannot rely solely on experience, but must be strengthened with scientific evidence, valid data, and applicable technological innovation,” stated Amarulla Octavian.