PELAKITA.ID – MAJENE – The West Sulawesi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD Sulbar) and the Disaster Study Center of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the implementation of the Collaboration-based Disaster Resilient Village (DESTANA) program, marking a new step toward community-based disaster risk reduction in the province.
The agreement was signed by BPBD West Sulawesi Chief Executive Muhammad Yasir Fattah and Head of the Unhas Disaster Study Center Ilham Alimuddin, witnessed by West Sulawesi Regional Secretary Junda Maulana, during the launch of the Collaboration-based DESTANA program in Pamboang District, Majene Regency, on June 30.
The partnership implements Governor Suhardi Duka’s directive to enhance cross-sector collaboration in disaster management by integrating government institutions with academic expertise.
Under the agreement, BPBD Sulbar and Unhas will collaborate to improve disaster preparedness, strengthen village institutions, and enhance local capacity in disaster risk reduction through research-based approaches and community participation.
The initiative places villages at the center of disaster resilience efforts, recognizing local communities as the first line of defense against natural hazards.
Rather than relying solely on emergency response, the program emphasizes preparedness, risk mapping, education, and institutional strengthening to reduce disaster impacts before they occur.
Provincial officials said the collaboration represents a strategic effort to incorporate scientific research into disaster management policies while supporting the development of resilient and self-reliant villages capable of responding to various disaster threats.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen human resource development by providing continuous training for village leaders, disaster volunteers, and local communities, enabling them to manage disaster risks more effectively.
The signing of the cooperation agreement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between BPBD West Sulawesi and Hasanuddin University, with both institutions committed to developing evidence-based disaster mitigation programs that can serve as a model for other disaster-prone regions across Indonesia.
The Collaboration-based DESTANA program is expected to reinforce West Sulawesi’s commitment to building safer communities by combining scientific knowledge, government support, and community participation into an integrated disaster resilience framework.
(KA)
