Pacitan, East Java, Undergo Tsunami Response Training

Pacitan, E.Java (Antara) - The Regional Disaster Management Agency, or BPBD, of Pacitan, East Java has organized a series of training programs to prepare for damage from tsunamis in four coastal areas. "Last year, we carried out this program in two villages in Pacitan sub district. This year, we organized the program in two more villages in Ngadirojo sub district," Head of Disaster Management Agency, Didit Maryanto, said here Saturday. Residents of two villages that have undergone training and been provided basic knowledge about reducing the impact of disasters in 2013 were Kembang and Sirnoboyo, while the two villages that are now being trained are Hadiwarno and Sidomulyo. According to Didit, the program seeks to prepare the community to manage the effects of disasters. The program consists of several activities, including the dissemination of potential tsunamis in local areas, the drawing up of hazard maps covering evacuation routes, as well as training for basic skills on disaster mitigation. "We help our society to become self-sufficient to face any potential tsunami, whenever it takes place," Didiet said. He explained that the program focuses on managing and improving the resilience of coastal fishing villages in case of disasters, which are not only tsunamis, but also floods, landslides, and other types of natural disasters. "The people directly engage in disaster mitigation efforts," Didiet said. (*)