Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture pushes for strengthening a resilient culture through SPAB
Mitigation and preparedness must be part of the learning process and daily life in schools.
Sleman — The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK), in collaboration with PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (TWC), has implemented a disaster-resilient education programme for ten schools in the Opak Fault area.
‘Strengthening is being carried out through the Safe Disaster Education Unit (SPAB) approach,’ said Andre Notohamijoyo, Assistant Deputy for Disaster Risk Reduction at Kemenko PMK, during the SPAB strengthening session at SMAN 1 Kalasan, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Friday.
He said that the activity is also part of the 20th Anniversary of the Yogyakarta Earthquake, and serves as a moment to reflect and reinforce cross-sector commitment to building a disaster risk-aware culture within educational environments.
‘Through the SPAB approach, schools are encouraged not only to be prepared for disasters but also to create a learning environment that is safe, resilient and sustainable,’ he added.
The event then continued with an interactive dialogue entitled ‘Reducing Disaster Risk and Impact in Schools, covering Mitigation, Preparedness and Emergency Response’. The interactive dialogue was moderated by Mariana Pardede, a Disaster Education practitioner and SPAB National Facilitator, and a recipient of ASEAN recognition for SPAB.
In that session, Lilik Kurniawan, Deputy for Coordination of Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Conflict at Kemenko PMK, stressed the importance of building preparedness from an early age through educational institutions.
Andre noted that, with the 20th anniversary of the Yogyakarta Earthquake, the government hopes that the spirit of mutual cooperation, preparedness, and learning from past disaster experiences can be passed on to younger generations as part of building a disaster-resilient society.
The event also included the presentation of SPAB Dimas and Diajeng awards to SMAN 1 Kalasan for active student involvement in supporting a disaster-aware culture and strengthening preparedness in the school environment.
As a recognition of the implementation of SPAB in the DIY region, the event also included certificates of appreciation for high commitment in delivering SPAB’s strategic programme to the Provincial Education, Youth and Sports Office of DIY, the DIY Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), SMAN 1 Kalasan, and several other partner organisations.
The certificates were presented by Andre Notohamijoyo to Muhammad Setiadi, Acting Head of the DIY Education, Youth and Sports Office, represented by the Head of the DIY Province Middle Education Office, Agustinus Ruruh Haryata, who is the Head of the DIY BPBD, Aris Widaryanti, as Deputy Principal of SMAN 1 Kalasan, Indung Purvita Jati, as Operations Director of PT TWC, and Rakyan Adibrata, as Country Director for Emergency Disaster Reduction and Rescue (EDRR) Indonesia.
Also present were Special Staff to the Minister for the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Assistant Deputy for Disaster Risk Reduction at Kemenko PMK, Assistant Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction at Kemenko PMK, Assistant Deputy for Disaster Response at Kemenko PMK, school officials, disaster management partner organisations, as well as students and teachers of SMAN 1 Kalasan.