VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Japanese and Indonesian governments have agreed to develop disaster mitigation cooperation following humanitarian aid and disaster mitigation programs in the wake of a powerful earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi Province.

Disaster mitigation is one of the topics discussed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore Thursday.

A press statement from the Japanese Embassy stated that Abe expressed his wish to work with Indonesia in rehabilitating and reconstructing areas affected by the earthquakes as well as in increasing Indonesia’s resilience to disasters.

Japan has been working with Indonesia to rehabilitate and reconstruct the affected areas in Central Sulawesi.

During the emergency response period, Japan provided two C-130H Hercules aircraft and 63 personnel of the self-defense forces to assist the Japanese disaster relief team in transporting supplies and evacuating victims.

Japan has collaborated with the Indonesian Air Force in carrying out 21 flights and transporting at least 200 tons of aid and 400 people.

In addition to providing a number of emergency supplies, such as tents, generators and water purifiers, over 110 Japanese companies have provided funds worth more than Rp26.5 billion (about US$ 1,808,042), and supplied fuel.

The ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) supported by Japan has conducted a survey to determine needs at the disaster site and make coordination with related sides in delivering international assistance.

A number of experts who took part in joint Japanese-Indonesian missions have visited Central Sulawesi. Their evaluation and findings are valuable to support rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in the affected areass.

Japan and Indonesia are formulating a master plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction by referring to the Regional Disaster Risk Resilience Plan in Central Sulawesi.

Japan will collaborate with Indonesia to conduct a follow-up survey to evaluate liquefaction risks in Central Sulawesi which is an important base for future spatial plans.

Japan will continue to work with Indonesia to minimize damages caused by earthquakes and tsunamis throughout the country.

Through Equipment Improvement for Disaster Risk Management Project worth Rp202.5 billion (about US $ 13,816,170), Japan will help install broadband seismographs, strong movement seismographs and other supporting equipment in 93 points in Indonesia which are prone to earthquake and tsunami.

Japan will also support the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to strengthen its capacity in collecting data and analyzing disaster risk information, and use it to formulate local disaster risk reduction plans.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will work with relevant institutions which are responsible for reducing disaster risks and make reconstruction, such as the Ministry of Public Works and Housing. (ANTARA)