inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) continues to strengthen the capacity of disabled volunteers, youth, and other vulnerable groups in disaster mitigation efforts to further prepare them.

“What’s important is to not see them as an object, but the subject,” says BNPB Preparation Director, Pangarso Suryotomo during the commemoration of Disaster Risk Mitigation (PRB) mitigation in Banda Aceh on Wednesday (10/9/2024).

He says BNPB is very much open to the disabled communities who wants to improve their skills and capabilities in handling and mitigating disaster risk.

As of now, there have been many people with disabled who join in the disaster mitigation effort following the Regulation of the Head of BNPB Number 14 of 2014 concerning the handling, protection and participation of persons with disabilities in disaster management, and the formation of a disability service unit.

"Like in East Java, Bali, Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara. We also encourage other provinces to follow suit," he said.

Moreover, the evacuation guidelines for the disabled and elderly have also been launched, which was compiled by the group. The book contains the needs of the vulnerable group during disaster management.

Young Expert Disaster Analyst of the Deputy for Prevention of BNPB Iis Yulianti said that improving the capacity of disaster management for the disabled group is very important, considering that many of them also lived in prone areas.

"During a disaster, they can also be the volunteers to help the other. The thing is, if we do not provide them with the capabilities in disaster risk management, it will leave an impact on the loss of lives, property, assets and others," she said.

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