Home Affairs Ministry: Integrated data key to rapid emergency response
Director General of Regional Administration Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safrizal Zakaria Ali, has stated that integrated disaster command post management and data are key to accelerating the emergency response to the earthquake in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
“Solid command post management and integrated data are the key to rapid emergency response. We encourage the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and all elements of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) in Sikka to maintain this good coordination, while also enhancing preparedness given the ongoing potential for aftershocks,” Safrizal said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
The remarks were made after he accompanied Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian on an inspection visit to Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Wednesday (19/8), following the tectonic earthquake that struck the region.
The visit also aimed to ensure that emergency response measures were running optimally and that public services remained intact.
During the visit, Safrizal and the Home Affairs Minister also inspected Laurentius Say Port in Maumere.
According to a report from the Sikka Regent, the earthquake resulted in three fatalities.
The Home Affairs Minister expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, while also commending the Ministry of Transportation, the harbourmaster, and the Port Authority for their swift efforts in restoring normal port service operations despite damage to several buildings.
The harbourmaster reported that operations remained smooth thanks to a digitalised service system equipped with a backup mechanism. The Home Affairs Minister stressed that officials must remain vigilant against the potential for small-scale aftershocks, which according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) may still occur over the next two to three weeks.
As a demonstration of the state’s presence among communities affected by the disaster, the Home Affairs Minister presented condolence assistance to the family of the late Maria Diana Meliana, one of the earthquake victims in Kota Uneng Urban Village, Alok District.
On that occasion, the Home Affairs Minister offered moral support and encouragement to the bereaved family, affirming that the government is present to ease the burden on the community.
The visit concluded with an inspection of the Tectonic Earthquake Emergency Response Command Post managed by the Sikka Regency BPBD.
The Home Affairs Minister expressed appreciation for the command post management, which was assessed as excellent, detailed and comprehensive in presenting disaster data. The system was deemed to support cross-sector coordination and rapid decision-making in the field.
The central government affirmed its commitment to continue providing full support and intensive coordination to ensure that all basic needs of affected communities are properly met.