Mataram, University of Mataram – The Institute for Research and Community Service of the University of Mataram agreed on a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) with the Regional Disaster Management Agency of West Nusa Tenggara Province (BPDB NTB) concerning the strengthening of Disaster Resilient Villages (Destana). This activity was carried out at the office of the Regional Development Planning Agency of West Nusa Tenggara Province (Bappeda NTB) on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

The signing of PKS was attended directly by the Head of the Institute of Research and Community Service Unram, Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. accompanied by the Coordinator of Cooperation, Dr. Ir. Misbahuddin, S.T., M.T.; Head of Regional Disaster Management Agency of West Nusa Tenggara Province represented by his Secretary, Ahmad Yani, S.Pd. MM.Inov.; and Head of Bappeda West Nusa Tenggara, Dr. Ir. H. Iswandi, M.Sc.

In his remarks, the Secretary of BPBD NTB emphasized that the targets 209 villages in West Nusa Tenggara that having disaster resilient status. This is based on the disaster vulnerability map in West Nusa Tenggara, there are around 434 villages that are included in the disaster area. Of these, as many as 226 villages have been strengthened with mitigation, institutional, and disaster information. So that, when a disaster occurs, it is ready and responsive.

“Disaster-resilient villages or villages must be mobilized. Moreover, West Nusa Tenggara is one of the disaster-prone provinces. We hope that, people who are in disaster-prone areas will be better prepared when disasters occur. That way, not only reduce the occurrence of material losses, but also avoid casualties from disaster events,” explained Ahmad.

Meanwhile, the Head of Institute of Research and Community Service Unram, Dr. Ir. Sukartono, M.Agr. was very enthusiastic and welcomes this Cooperation Agreement because Destana is one of the themes of the Implementation of Real Community Service Program, where Unram has distributed students to villages that have the potential for disaster to provide education for the community. In order to complete the Destana program which still has approximately 130 villages that have not been intervened, BPBD collaborates with the Institute of Research and Community Service Program Unram through the Village Community Empowerment- Community Service Program.

Tthere were 69 disasters that occur frequently in West Nusa Tenggara, 36 are floods. This type of disaster is closely related to human behavior. Therefore, through this forum, we hope that the birth of a blueprint for which natural disasters really arise due to human intervention or not,” said Sukartono.

The Destana program is a pentahelix cooperation program between BPBD West Nusa Tenggara, Unram and related OPDs such as Kemendes, Diskominfo and the Tourism Office. PMD Desatana Unram Community Service Program activity is a form of community service. The series of disaster mitigation socialization programs, disaster simulations, the making, and installation of disaster evacuation maps that provided are able to increase information on knowledge and skills of community groups. Knowledge of the community, children, and village disaster preparedness teams after socialization and simulation became more knowledgeable about disaster mitigation and evacuation signs.