•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   

East Java is the region most vulnerable region to natural disasters in the country, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Monday.

Syamsul Maarif, head of the agency, also known as the BNPB, said the region is prone to natural disasters, has a high rate of poverty and is one of the most populous parts of the country — all factors that increase vulnerability.

“East Java is the most vulnerable region as it is prone to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and floods, while 20.29 percent of its population is poor, and it is among the most populous areas in the country,” he said, citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Though much of the country is prone to natural disasters, he said heavily populated areas with high rates of poverty are more vulnerable to such events.

“Poverty and high populations in disaster-prone regions mean that we need more time, personnel and money to rehabilitate the regions,” Syamsul said. “And this should be taken as a serious matter. We do not want to prolong people’s suffering from disasters.

“People lose their homes, property, money, and sometimes they lose their families. Losing families is a wound that is hard to heal. Thus all institutions and the communities must work together in dealing with disaster. When they are poor, the condition becomes worse.”

About two-thirds of the nation’s population, or 58.3 percent, live on Java and Madura islands, which comprise only 6.9 percent of the country’s land area.

A province with many poor people is also seen as vulnerable as it is assumed not to have enough funds for disaster preparedness and mitigation, Syamsul said.

“A region needs enough resources, including personnel and money, for disaster risk reduction,” he said, adding that Papua was also a concern because 39.26 percent of its population is poor.

On Friday, the BNPB launched its 2010-14 plans for disaster risk reduction, stressing that the public needed to be more aware and prepared. Maps and plans have been drawn up in an attempt to tackle disasters in a more comprehensive manner.

The BNPB says they should be used as a reference because they are in line with the 2010-14 Medium-Term National Development Plan (RPJM).

The state-run Antara news agency said Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi would draft a regulation on prioritizing safety of public-service facilities in quake-prone areas.

“I will send circulars to earthquake-prone regions so that they will make bylaws to prioritize public-service facilities,” Gama­wan said.

He said public-service facilities should meet earthquake-resistance standards .