Ademos, SIAP SIAGA, and the Pacitan Regional Government Collaborate to Develop Inclusive Destana

Geographically and climatologically, Pacitan Regency is considered a region with a high level of disaster vulnerability. Disasters ranging from geological and hydrometeorological disasters to biological and technological failures are common occurrences in Pacitan. This situation underpins Ademos, a partner in the SIAP SIAGA Program—the Australian-Indonesian Government Partnership in Disaster Risk Management—to undertake efforts to strengthen the capacity for inclusive, community-based disaster risk management in Pacitan Regency.

In order for these efforts to be achieved, synergy and collaboration between actors and across sectors are needed so that Ademos held a Coordination Meeting of the Parties with the Pacitan Regency Government and related parties, Tuesday (07/05/2024) involving BAPPEDA LITBANG Pacitan, BPBD Pacitan, related technical Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), SIAP SIAGA East Java, BBWS Bengawan Solo, representatives of the Pacitan District Government, Head of Sukoharjo Village, Head of Kayen Village and representatives of local academics.

The Chairman of Ademos, A Shodiqurrosyad, stated that in 2024 Ademos will implement the Village Strengthening Program in building Inclusive Disaster Resilience in Pacitan Regency, in 2 villages that will become models for Inclusive Destana.

"This program, initiated and funded by DFAT Australia, will be part of efforts to strengthen disaster risk management capacity in Pacitan Regency, particularly at the community level. The concrete steps taken are to develop Inclusive Disaster Resilient Villages (Destana) in Kayen and Sukoharjo Villages. Inclusive Destana refers to a Destana that combines components of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, mainstreaming GEDSI and strengthening the household economy, and strengthening regulations for the use of Village Funds for Disaster Management," explained the Bojonegoro-born young man.

The Coordinator of SIAP SIAGA East Java, Ancilla Bere, said that this is one of SIAP SIAGA's priority programs in East Java to strengthen disaster preparedness through the Inclusive Destana model which is expected to be replicated by other villages independently through village budgeting.

The Pacitan Regency Government itself welcomed the initiative and support of SIAP SIAGA and Ademos for Pacitan Regency. The Head of the Pacitan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Erwin Andriatmoko, stated that SIAP SIAGA's support will significantly assist disaster risk management efforts in Pacitan Regency. "Pacitan has a significant number of disaster threats, so collaboration like this is crucial. We are also ready to support the implementation of Ademos' program to increase community resilience to disasters in Pacitan," he emphasized.

Parminto Amin, Head of the Community Empowerment and Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA LITBANG) Pacitan, also expressed his appreciation for the Ademos and SIAP SIAGA initiatives. He hopes this will serve as a reference for villages in planning village budgets for Disaster Management. "So, in addition to increasing village resilience capacity in disaster risk management, Kayen and Sukoharjo Villages will also serve as pilot villages for inclusive DESTANA (Disaster Management Center) pilot projects. This will greatly assist the Pacitan Regency Government because disaster resilience is also part of the Healthy Regency Program initiated by the Regent (of Pacitan)," he concluded.