UGM signs deal with social ministry

YOGYAKARTA: Gadjah Mada University and the Ministry of Social Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday on disaster handling and mitigation.

Through the memorandum of understanding, the university will produce a map of areas prone to disaster, provide training for the ministry officials on disaster management and also formulate a strategy on how to treat mentally disturbed victims of a natural disaster.

Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah said that the role of the university was important in disaster management and mitigation efforts as the university could provide methods and analysis in preventing and minimizing costs of recovery efforts after a natural disaster.

Bachtiar cited the role of Syah Kuala University in Aceh which has been instrumental in Aceh rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the post-tsunami period in the province. -- JP