Kemenko PMK Strengthens Mitigation Through Disaster Calculation Refinement

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government continues to strengthen efforts to reduce disaster risk through the refinement of the mechanism for calculating the percentage of direct economic losses due to disasters. This was discussed in the Coordination Meeting on the Mechanism for Calculating the Percentage of Direct Economic Losses Due to Disasters, held in-person at the Graha PPI Meeting Room, Monday, 23 February 2026.

The meeting was led by the Assistant Deputy for Disaster Management at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Merry Efriana, and attended by the Director of Disaster Risk Mapping and Evaluation at BNPB, Udrech, along with technical staff within the scope of the Assistant Deputy for Disaster Management, as well as representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In her directive, Assistant Deputy for Disaster Management, Merry Efriana emphasized that the economic losses due to disasters not only impact humanitarian aspects but also the stability of the economy and the sustainability of national development. Based on the presentation in the meeting, the total economic loss due to disasters reached Rp51.3 trillion, equivalent to approximately 3.27 billion USD.

"The loss figures must serve as the basis for evaluating and formulating disaster risk reduction policies. We cannot only focus on emergency response, but we must strengthen mitigation and prevention to reduce the potential for future losses," Merry conveyed.

She added that strengthening the methodology for calculating economic losses is a strategic step so that rehabilitation and reconstruction policies can be more targeted. According to him, data accuracy is crucial in determining the effectiveness of post-disaster development planning.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency, through the Director of Mapping and Disaster Risk Evaluation, Udrech, presented a case example on the calculation of economic losses in Solok Regency. He explained that direct economic losses are defined as the monetary value of total or partial damage to physical assets that occur during or immediately after a disaster, calculated using the replacement cost method.

Udrech also highlighted the challenges in calculating losses, including differences in unit prices per region, variations in building types and materials, and differences in measurement units such as length, area, and volume. "A gradual refinement of the methodology is needed, including the establishment of more accurate and region-sensitive local unit prices," Udrech said.

In the discussion, it was agreed that the calculation of losses must cover various sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, housing, and critical infrastructure, with primary coordination by BPBD and the involvement of relevant ministries/agencies. BNPB has also conducted internal coordination since January 20, 2026, and collected R3P data for the 2021–2025 period to obtain unit prices per province.

The JICA representative emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach that not only calculates direct losses but also considers indirect impacts, supported by strong baseline data, appropriate methods, and accurate unit prices. Practices in Japan serve as one of the references in strengthening the system.

As a follow-up, the meeting recommended the collection of more complete and accurate data with support from the central and regional governments, the establishment of clear data cut-off points, the refinement of cross-sector methodologies, and the utilization of technology and geospatial data such as satellite imagery, drones, and geographic information systems for rapid and precise mapping. Inter-agency data integration is also a priority so that the loss information dashboard can display up-to-date and valid data.

"The strengthening of the economic loss calculation methodology is more than mere figures, but a foundation for more targeted and sustainable disaster risk reduction policies," Merry stated.