Depok Santri Learn Disaster Mitigation from Japan

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Depok — Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah, Depok, West Java, in collaboration with Junior Chamber International (JCI) Indonesia, JCI Jayakarta, and JCI Japan, organised the B-Sport Disaster Prevention Education Project for the santri of Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah in Depok, on Thursday and Friday (21-22 May 2026). The activity combines sport with disaster emergency preparedness training widely known in Japan as Japanese-style Evacuation Education. Indonesia was chosen as the location given its archipelagic status surrounded by a Ring of Fire and its frequent natural disasters; yet the affected communities often lack adequate preparedness. The Management Board of Yayasan Islam Al-Hamidiyah welcomed the delegation from JCI Indonesia, namely Deputy National President, Mr. Dicky Cahyadi Nurhalim; National Treasurer, Mr. Aki Pratomodono; SDGs & RISE Chairlady, Mrs. Deassy Roosiana, T.H.; and 2022 Past National President, Mr. Gaudi Agathon. Also present were representatives from the Embassy of Japan, Director of Political Section, Mr. Tanaka Motoyasu. Also present were members of JCI Japan, namely Chairman, Mr. Kento Ogura; Vice-Chairman, Mr. Daisuke Himeno, General Secretary, Mr. Haruo Nakayama; and Committee Members, Mr. Takumi Tominaga, Mr. Atsushi Iwasa, and Mr. Tomohiro Izawa. Also present were members of JCI Jayakarta, namely Local President, Mr. Kevin Jonathan; Executive Vice President, Mr. Isaac Dewanto; and Project Director, Mr. Alvin Artadi. At the opening of the event, the Head of the Caretaker of Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah, Prof. Dr. KH Oman Fathurahman, welcomed the guests warmly. “Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah is one of the pesantrens that always embraces innovations. Although Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah focuses on religious education, we greatly appreciate this disaster mitigation training initiative. This is important given Indonesia is a disaster-prone region; in fact, the frequency of earthquakes can be higher than in Japan, while our preparedness must be continually enhanced,” he said in a written statement, on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Oman also expressed gratitude that Pesantren Al-Hamidiyah had been chosen as the host for disaster mitigation training directly from Japan. Looking ahead, he hoped the activity could be sustained and integrated with science-based mitigation approaches as well as religious and cultural approaches. Deassy Roosiana T.H., Chairlady of SDGs & RISE JCI Indonesia and initiator of the programme, expressed thanks for the opportunity given to JCI Japan and JCI Indonesia to collaborate in this training activity. She emphasised that the activity is not a ordinary training, but part of a joint effort to safeguard personal safety and the surrounding environment.