Indonesia pushes new disaster mitigation plan focused on enforcement and community readiness
President Prabowo Subianto has tasked the government with drafting a nationwide disaster mitigation masterplan that stresses stricter rule enforcement and local preparedness after recent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
A series of recent calamities—including an earthquake that killed at least 135 people, the Anak Krakatau eruption and widespread forest fires—prompted President Prabowo Subianto to order a comprehensive disaster mitigation masterplan for Indonesia. Specialists say the archipelago’s 17,000 islands create challenges for consistent enforcement, early-warning systems and community training, citing unequal budget allocation and fragile coordination between central and local governments.
The plan should integrate multi-hazard sensors, real-time seismic and tsunami monitoring, and ensure warnings trigger swift on-ground action without bureaucratic delay. Experts also call for dedicated prevention funding, regular maintenance of equipment by local guardians, and environmental measures such as peatland and mangrove restoration to curb climate-linked risks. Strengthening legal compliance, expanding education and regular drills are seen as essential to move from reactive aid to proactive resilience.
Why it matters
A robust mitigation plan can protect lives and curb economic damage in Indonesia's disaster-prone archipelago.
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