“2023 National Disaster Preparedness Day: Ministry Emphasizes Importance of Preparedness in Facing Disasters in Indonesia”

2023 National Disaster Preparedness Day is essential for improving preparedness in facing disasters, says the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture. As an archipelagic nation sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia faces significant biodiversity with risks of disasters that cannot be ignored. The ministry encourages education and dissemination of information regarding disaster mitigation and the significance of disaster preparedness to increase public awareness and understanding. Improving people’s alertness can enable them to evacuate themselves to the nearest safe points, save valuable documents and belongings, and evacuate vulnerable groups. The ministry emphasizes that disaster preparedness must start with community awareness and involve all stakeholders at the village level. If all parties are ready, the impacts of disasters can be mitigated. The 2023 HKBN theme is Improving Villages’ Resilience, Reducing Disaster Risks, and becomes a momentum to improve the culture of disaster awareness and strengthen the disaster-resilient villages program.