RRI.CO.ID, Malang – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is strengthening community preparedness in East Java through the Disaster-Resilient Village program, known as Destana.

BNPB is expanding the program in cooperation with the Australia-Indonesia Partnership through SIAP SIAGA. The collaboration aims to improve communities’ ability to face disasters while reducing casualties and property losses.

BNPB Head Suharyanto, visited Malang City on Wednesday, August 5, to meet local government representatives and Destana practitioners. The meeting allowed policymakers to learn from villages that have successfully implemented the program.

He called for successful Destana programs to be maintained, improved, and replicated in surrounding villages.

“Destana forums and disaster risk reduction forums must also be optimized because prevention is a crucial aspect of disaster management as a whole,” Suharyanto said, as quoted in an official statement.

“Once a disaster occurs, the impacts borne by communities and the nation are far greater, ranging from casualties to property losses,” he added.

Destana refers to villages or urban communities that can independently adapt to disaster risks, respond to threats, and recover quickly after a disaster.

According to him, the program has proven effective in saving lives. In 2024, a community leader noticed murky river water and immediately ordered residents to evacuate. Their homes were later destroyed by flooding, but everyone survived.

“In 2025, a positive outcome was also recorded in South Batipuh, Tanah Datar Regency. This is one example of disaster risk reduction through a functioning Destana program,” he said.

Suharyanto also urged Regional Disaster Management Agencies, or BPBDs, across East Java to prepare for drought caused by El Niño, which may continue until early 2027. Dry conditions could increase the risk of forest, land, mountain, and landfill fires.

“Mount Bromo is currently experiencing a fire. Some time ago, a waste disposal site in Mojokerto also caught fire, and the extinguishing operation required a water-bombing helicopter,” he added.

He called on BPBD personnel and volunteers to remain prepared before disasters, during emergency response operations, and throughout the post-disaster recovery period.