Indonesia and Australia today strengthen natural disaster preparedness and response

The Australian Government aid program, AusAID and Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) today announced plans to build Indonesia’s first regional disaster management training and logistics centre in Padang, West Sumatra in December 2011.

Built in response to the high risk of future earthquakes and tsunamis in the region, this new centre will train regional disaster response managers as well provide emergency supplies to enable quick disaster response.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s most disaster prone countries and many areas are extremely isolated. Better trained professionals and quicker response times will save lives,” said Dr Matt Hayne from the Australia – Indonesia Facility for Disaster Reduction (AIFDR).

“In order to improve skills you need on the job training. This A$ 3.75 million centre will be built in Padang and include a state-of-the art training facility for regional disaster managers, an emergency response warehouse and an emergency operations centre,” Dr Hayne said.

The announcement was made during an official ceremony to handover an Australian-funded regional warehouse and logistics hub attended by the Chief of Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Syamsul Maarif and West Sumatra Governor, Irwan Prayitno.

AIFDR, a five-year $67 million partnership between AusAID and BNPB, also funded the development of the training warehouse and logistics hub being handed over today in Padang.

The hub has been developed as a “best-practice” model and this month hosted a five-day logistics training and simulation program for logistics staff from West Sumatra province and district disaster management agencies.

Media enquiries:
Mia Salim, AusAID Indonesia, 08121070237