Indonesia Accelerates Recovery from Four Major Disasters: Volcano Eruptions, Earthquakes, Forest Fires, and Floods

The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is accelerating recovery efforts for four major disasters: earthquakes in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, eruptions of the Anak Krakatau volcano, forest and land fires (karhutla), and floods in Sumatra. BNPB Head Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto stated that the agency is focusing on speeding up recovery in these disaster-stricken areas. Regarding the Anak Krakatau eruption, Suharyanto mentioned that BNPB has dispatched an advance team for direct field monitoring. So far, no fatalities have been reported due to the eruption. He also noted that no affected regency or provincial governments have declared a state of emergency, but this does not hinder the aid process. "We are continuously communicating minute by minute with the Head of BMKG, and receiving direct instructions from the President," Suharyanto said in a statement on Tuesday (8/9). BNPB has prepared a Hybrid Weather Modification Operation (OMC) to help dissipate volcanic ash. This operation uses two techniques: inducing rain when clouds are available and spreading water mist when clouds are absent to break down and bind ash particles and harmful pollutants. "It is hoped that the weather modification operation, conducted from today until tonight, can help accelerate the dissipation of volcanic ash," he stated. The Geological Agency has also confirmed that based on the current morphological evaluation, the body of Anak Krakatau volcano does not have the potential to collapse on a scale that could trigger a tsunami like in 2018. For the handling of earthquakes in NTT, BNPB is focusing on verifying damaged house data. Preliminary data shows 98,986 houses with varying degrees of damage. For lightly damaged houses, a stimulus of Rp15 million will be provided; for moderately damaged houses, Rp30 million; and for heavily damaged houses, temporary shelters will be built or a housing waiting fund will be provided before new Type 36 houses are constructed. "We are also setting up emergency tents as temporary schools so that no children are left out of school," he added. Meanwhile, for karhutla, BNPB admits it remains a major challenge. As of September 6, a total of 72,009.10 hectares of land have burned in six priority provinces, with 939.45 hectares still not extinguished. The main obstacles are land characteristics, access, weather, and water availability. Suharyanto explained that fires in peatlands can persist underground, requiring cooling and further monitoring. "Access is difficult in some areas, requiring water bombing support. Coupled with hot, dry conditions and wind that can re-ignite fire spots. So the process is not always a one-time extinguishment," he said. Furthermore, Suharyanto conveyed that BNPB is continuously pursuing recovery targets for the flash flood disaster that hit Aceh and Sumatra last year. As of September 6, the progress of stimulus aid transfer for moderately and lightly damaged houses in three provinces—Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra—reached Rp703,017,000,000. For the construction of permanent housing (huntap), out of 27,809 proposed units, 14,897 units have been reviewed and are ready for construction. A total of 1,055 huntap units are currently under construction, with 841 completed and 214 ongoing. "We continue to urge local governments to accelerate the verification and disbursement processes so that the community can quickly complete their house repairs," Suharyanto said. "We are targeting all reviewed huntap to be built soon. Coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and local governments continues to be strengthened." Source: CNN Indonesia