Prabowo monitors disaster response developments for preparedness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto held a limited virtual meeting attended by a number of regional heads and relevant officials to monitor developments in the handling of several disasters occurring in various regions of Indonesia.

He said the meeting was convened because the government is currently facing a number of disaster situations, ranging from the earthquake in Flores, the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, to forest fires and haze that remain a problem.

“The earthquake in Flores, then now the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau and also forest fires and haze which are still a problem for all of us,” said President Prabowo as he opened the meeting, monitored online via the Presidential Secretariat broadcast in Jakarta on Monday.

He assessed that the situation serves as a lesson for the government to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation, including by increasing budget allocations.

President Prabowo stated that the government’s response to several previous disasters had already been swift and massive.

“Even now, compared to years past, our response has been very fast. The disaster situations in Sumatra, in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra showed that our response was quite massive and quite swift,” he said.

He did not forget to express his appreciation to all elements involved in disaster management.

However, President Prabowo reminded that the government must not rely solely on responses after disasters occur. According to him, preparedness and mitigation measures must be carried out long before a disaster strikes.