Badung, 24 May 2024 – Science plays a significant role in disaster mitigation since it can assist in minimizing various types of losses, both material and non-material. Therefore, suitable science-based policies and regulations are needed to make disaster mitigation more beneficial, efficient, and effective for the society. Countries are expected to promote the application of science in disaster mitigation, not merely in a discourse. 

This issue was raised during the "Science-based Policy to Make Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Actionable from Local to Global" discussion during the 10th World Water Forum at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday, 23 May 2024.

Indonesia is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcano eruptions. Reflecting on past disasters, such as the Aceh Tsunami in 2003 and the Palu Earthquake in 2018, Indonesia realizes the importance of research in disaster mitigation.

"We then reviewed the national standards and developed clearer guidelines. It is critical to use disaster risk maps for mitigation and adaptation. Aside from that, we need more advanced parameters and to conduct analyses using the most recent methods that align with technological and scientific advancements," explained Mahdi Ibrahim Tanjung, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing's Evaluation Team for Dam Construction and Management.

Tanjung said that Indonesia must not only work hard to deal with disasters but also implement mitigation measures. Several steps must be taken to reduce disaster-related losses. First, people must comprehend and be aware of danger signs in order to take preventive measures. Second, the ability to adapt to various changes that may arise must be developed.

"We must begin to shift our perspective on disasters from reactive to anticipatory. Both central and regional governments must increase the budget allocation for disaster management and mitigation. Investment is not only in the form of physical infrastructure, but also community empowerment, early warning, capacity development, and opening up possibilities for multi-stakeholders for global collaboration," Tanjung said.

On the same occasion, Keigo Nakamura, Director of the Water Environment Research Group at the Public Works Research Institute of Japan, shared his scientifically based disaster response strategies and experiences. Meanwhile, Kawasaki Akiyuki, another researcher from the University of Tokyo, underlined the importance of science in Japan's disaster recovery and mitigation efforts.

Therefore, he believes that the issues researchers and academics face in incorporating science into decision-making processes and mitigation strategies necessitate cooperation and collaboration among many stakeholders.   

A well-designed and detailed mitigation policy is expected to improve financing effectiveness and community life sustainability. Anticipating disasters through science-based mitigation is thought to be able to prevent catastrophic destruction and losses. In the future, it is hoped that the government will develop clear and firm policies and regulations for disaster mitigation. (Ni Ketut Sudiani/Ayu Sulistyowati/Elvira Inda Sari/SC/PR)