On 27 May 2006, a devastating earthquake struck Yogyakarta and Central Java. To commemorate this day, The UGM Center for Disaster Studies (PSBA) held a Reflection on 15 Years of Special Region of Yogyakarta-Central Java Earthquake in Lindu Gedhe Klaten Monument with BNPB and the community of Sengon Village, Prambanan, Klaten, Central Java. This event aimed to continue to remind the public to stay prepared in the face of disasters and also encourage disaster-resilient communities.
At the Lindu Gede Monument, Lilik Kurniawan presented as Secretary of BNPB, village officials, volunteers, and BPBD staff of Klaten Regency. Meanwhile, the commemoration in the virtual room was attended by the Head and staff of PSBA UGM and resource person Dr. Ade Anggraini, UGM Geophysics lecturer.
Head of PSBA UGM, Dr. Agung Harijoko, said that Sengon is one of the villages in Prambanan, Klaten Regency, Central Java affected by the Yogyakarta-Central Java earthquake. Many people died, refugees were scattered in almost all areas of Sengon Village. Since the 2006 disaster, the Center for Disaster Studies (PSBA) UGM has assisted Sengon to become a model for Disaster Resilient Village. “Training and increasing knowledge of local communities through local approaches should encourage communities to become more resilient to disasters,” he explained.
He said community preparedness plays a role in reducing disaster risk. One important thing in preparing a disaster-resilient community is the awareness that they live in an area that has the potential to be affected by a disaster at any time. “The 2006 earthquake happened as a reminder for us that an earthquake can come at any time, so we must be prepared,” he said.
Meanwhile, to reduce disaster risk, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the community, including women. The reason is that women are a community group that plays a role in creating a disaster-resilient society.
The reflection event series began with cleaning the Lindu Gedhe Monument together, workshops and presenting the SOP for the Sengon disaster-resilient village, and technical guidance for disaster-resilient women with PKK in Sengon Village.
In addition, an earthquake simulation and a public kitchen simulation were also held. And finally, BNPB and PSBA UGM installed evacuation route signs.
Source: https://www.ugm.ac.id/id/berita/21178-psba-ugm-gelar-peringatan-15-tahun-gempa-diy-jateng
