Social Affairs Minister instructs Tagana to strengthen rapid and targeted response

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has instructed Taruna Siaga Bencana (Tagana) to strengthen rapid response and precise targeting of assistance as the frontline of social protection in disaster management.

In his address at the roll call commemorating the 22nd anniversary of Tagana at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta, he stressed that Tagana must ensure the presence of the state in every disaster affecting the community, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives.

“Be on alert without compromise. When a disaster occurs, Tagana must be the first to arrive. There must be no delays and no hesitation,” he said.

This rapid response must be accompanied by the use of the National Socio-Economic Single Data System (DTSEN). This step is the key technical measure to ensure that the distribution of logistical aid and psychosocial support reaches entitled citizens accurately.

Integrity is also a primary emphasis for all volunteer members to close off any room for deviations or misuse of humanitarian aid. The distribution of assistance must be viewed as a trust that demands high empathy to strengthen the mental resilience of disaster victims.

In addition to disaster duties, Tagana personnel now have a special mandate to support the success of the Sekolah Rakyat programme.

According to him, this role is part of the volunteers’ dedication to optimising the potential and social welfare resources (PSKS) in the community.

“I entrust a message to the heads of social services to pass on to the governors: pay attention to Tagana in the regions, strengthen their capacity, and support their operations. Do not let them work without protection,” he said.

During the ceremony, Tagana personnel from across the regions demonstrated their resilience and expertise in search and rescue operations and emergency disaster response.

They simulated vertical rescue using the lowering technique, or the method of evacuating victims from high locations to lower ones using a karmantel rope traverse.

Subsequently, personnel evacuated victims using the rappelling technique from the top of the Ministry of Social Affairs office building, at a height of up to 20 metres.

The Tagana personnel on duty completed both evacuation processes in less than 15 minutes, equivalent to the standard training time applied by professional rescuers such as Basarnas and several members of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

Tagana personnel also simulated the process of setting up a refugee post, treatment room, including medical equipment and a communal kitchen.

Through these simulations, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf is optimistic that Tagana is transforming into ministry-affiliated volunteers who are increasingly professional and capable of becoming an important part of the government in mitigating the impacts of disasters and social conditions in society.

“You are volunteers but work with extraordinary dedication. For this opportunity, please give a round of applause to the solid and integrated Tagana. No disaster can be handled alone. Strengthen cross-sector collaboration with the TNI, Polri, BNPB, Social Services, and all stakeholders. Remember, remember, once again, remember, disasters must be addressed through mutual cooperation,” he said.