In 2017, the Indonesian National Disaster Management Authority (known as BNPB) announced April 26 as the National Disaster Preparedness Day. This was part of the BNPB continuous effort to raise awareness and develop community resilience towards disaster. This year, ASB celebrated the day by organising a series of evacuation simulations in several places across the country. More than 13,000 people in Kupang, Magelang, Pesisir Selatan and the Mentawai Island District participated in the activities.
The simulations were organised based on natural hazards faced by each district. Earthquake and fire were the two main hazards simulated during the activity in Kupang. In the Mentawai Islands, scenario of earthquake and tsunami were used. While in Pesisir Selatan, community members worked together with the Disaster Management Team to clean up beaches in their area. In Magelang, simulations were organised in several scenario including volcanic eruption, lava flood and landslides. This simulation series were conducted in collaboration with the Local Disaster Management Agency, primary schools, special education schools, disabled people’s organisations, village authorities and disaster management volunteers.
