NTT Accelerates Post-Earthquake Recovery in Flores Using Spatial Data
Assessing, verifying, and validating damage on a scale such as that seen in Flores within 90 days is no easy task.
Kupang (ANTARA) - The East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Provincial Government is encouraging the acceleration of post-earthquake recovery following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Flores Island through the integration of sectoral and regional damage data based on geospatial technology.
The Acting Head of the Regional Development, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperinda) of NTT, Teresia M. Florensia, stated in Kupang on Friday that accurate data is a vital foundation to ensure the post-disaster recovery process is precisely targeted and aligned with the regional development directions of each regency.
“We must oversee the process to ensure recovery proceeds well, and this is where data becomes extremely important. However, while resources are available for rebuilding, the question is whether we are merely repairing what was damaged, or if we are rebuilding with specific planning based on the potential and masterplans for the future regional development of each regeyency,” said Teresia.
According to her, post-disaster recovery planning must be conducted more effectively and in an integrated manner so that reconstruction does not only replace damaged infrastructure but also strengthens future resilience and regional development directions.
“Performing assessments, verification, and validation of damage for an impact scale like that in Flores within 90 days is not easy,” she added.
She noted that the use of terrestrial and aerial spatial technology via drones could assist the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (Jitupasna) teams and the drafters of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan (R3P) in obtaining a more accurate damage database.
The Flores earthquake disaster affected seven regencies, resulting in 129 fatalities, more than 1,210 injuries, and the displacement of approximately 87,000 residents.
The Head of Infrastructure and Regional Affairs at Bapperinda NTT, Yohanes Paut, stated that the reliability of damage data is a prerequisite for securing funding support from both the central government and international development partners.
“With estimated needs reaching almost Rp2.6 trillion, we would certainly surrender if we had to bear it alone using the Regional Budget (APBD). Therefore, we must be able to capture opportunities from the central government budget,” he said.
He mentioned several funding opportunities that could be utilised, including the Presidential Instruction for Regional Roads, Presidential Instruction for Irrigation, clean water programmes, and the three-million-house construction programme.