MARITIMEPOSTS.COM — A major milestone in strengthening disaster resilience across Luwu Utara was marked with the official handover of the Regional Disaster Management Plan (Rencana Penanggulangan Bencana/RPB) to the Regent of North Luwu, Andi Abdullah Rahim, accompanied by a series of community-based disaster preparedness activities in Rongkong District.
The RPB serves as a strategic framework for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, emergency response, rehabilitation, and recovery. Its completion provides local governments in Luwu Utara with a comprehensive reference for integrating disaster risk management into regional development planning.
The document was formally presented to Regent Andi Abdullah Rahim, who welcomed the initiative as an important investment in protecting communities and strengthening regional resilience.
“Disaster management is not only about responding when emergencies occur, but about ensuring that our communities are prepared long before disasters happen. This Regional Disaster Management Plan provides a clear roadmap for coordinated action, enabling government institutions and communities to reduce risks and save lives,” Regent Andi Abdullah Rahim said.
He emphasized that disaster resilience requires collaboration among local governments, academic institutions, emergency agencies, village administrations, and the public.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. We appreciate the contribution of universities, disaster experts, and community organizations that have worked alongside the government to produce evidence-based planning. Together, we can build safer and more resilient communities throughout Luwu Utara,” he added.
The handover formed part of a broader disaster risk reduction initiative in Rongkong District that combined policy development with community engagement.
In Desa Komba, organizers officially submitted the Village Disaster Risk Assessment (Kajian Risiko Bencana/KRB), one of the principal requirements for establishing a Disaster-Resilient Village (Desa Tangguh Bencana/DESTANA).
The assessment identifies local hazards, vulnerabilities, capacities, and priority risks, providing a scientific basis for village-level disaster planning.
The program also included disaster prevention and preparedness training involving village officials, volunteers, and residents, equipping communities with practical knowledge on emergency response, evacuation procedures, and disaster mitigation.
Participants later reviewed the results of village hazard mapping and community action plans, identifying priority risks and agreeing on locally appropriate mitigation measures for Rongkong’s mountainous landscape, where landslides remain among the most significant natural hazards.
The activities concluded with a large-scale landslide preparedness roll call and disaster simulation involving residents from three villages, disaster management agencies, local government institutions, emergency responders, and other stakeholders.
The exercise tested coordination mechanisms, evacuation routes, communication systems, and operational readiness under simulated emergency conditions.
According to Dr. Ilham Alimuddin, Head of the Disaster Study Center at Hasanuddin University, the initiative demonstrates that disaster resilience begins with sound planning and active community participation rather than emergency response alone.
“The completion of the Regional Disaster Management Plan and the preparation of village disaster risk assessments are not merely administrative achievements. They are practical instruments that enable governments and communities to anticipate risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and respond more effectively when disasters occur. Building resilience begins long before an emergency happens,” Dr. Ilham said.
He added that integrating scientific research with local knowledge is essential for developing sustainable disaster management policies, particularly in vulnerable mountainous regions such as Rongkong.
“The strength of disaster management lies in collaboration. Local governments, universities, technical agencies, and communities each have important roles to play. When these actors work together, disaster preparedness becomes more effective and sustainable,” he said.
The series of activities illustrates an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction—from regional planning and village-level risk assessments to community capacity building, participatory action planning, and emergency simulations.
Rather than focusing solely on disaster response, the initiative emphasizes preparedness, prevention, and resilience as the foundations of sustainable development.
Photographs documenting the activities were shared by Dr. Ilham Alimuddin, highlighting the collaboration between Hasanuddin University, local governments, disaster management agencies, and local communities in advancing evidence-based disaster governance in North Luwu.
As Indonesia faces increasingly frequent hydrometeorological hazards associated with climate change, the newly finalized Regional Disaster Management Plan is expected to serve as an important policy instrument for strengthening preparedness, reducing disaster risks, and safeguarding communities throughout Luwu Utara.
___
Editor: Kamaruddin Azis
