Yogyakarta (5/22) Disaster is multidisciplinary, thus risk assessments cannot be carried out by individuals with the same educational background. Scientific approach has similar practice and supplemented by training, it will enable us to be ready to respond anytime, under any circumstances.
The establishment of disaster certification experts is necessary because since 2009, there has not been any certification for disaster risk assessments, academic papers, etc.
This was conveyed by Ridwan Yunus, a consultant from Inaris BNPB, during the Coordination Meeting for the Formulation of Disaster Professional Certification held by the Master’s Program in Disaster Management (MMB) at the Graduate School (SPs) of UGM in collaboration with the Association of Disaster Higher Education (HIPTI Bencana) at Hotel Manohara, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
The meeting, attended by Heads of Disaster Departments, BNPB, AIBI, and relevant stakeholders, and moderated by Dr. Arif Wibowo from Budi Luhur University Jakarta, is expected to produce important and beneficial outcomes for the community.
According to Prof. Dr. Syamsul Maarif, M.Sc., Chairman of the Advisory Board of HIPTI Bencana, who also attended this event, there are 3 levels of certification: Operator certification for industry, mining for non-natural human-induced disasters, Coordinator certification for shelters/refugees, vulnerable groups, sanitation, food, etc., and Manager certification, for example, shelter managers, factory managers.
Prof. Samsul Maarif also emphasized the need for expertise specifications stated in the certification, excluding skills in combating wars, terrorism, ethnic conflicts, and also the need to redefine the understanding of disasters, such as where to include cyber security.
In line with Prof. Samsul Maarif, Prof. Dr. Sudjito from MMB UGM also mentioned that certification needs to deepen specific objects, not limited only to natural disasters, who has the authority to issue certifications, what are the criteria for certifications, who are the certificate users, and there needs to be priority given to specific groups.
Prof. Sudjito also mentioned not to narrow down the mindset that disasters are only natural disasters, and the importance of legalizing it because it can only be recognized if its legal entity is valid.
Regarding Law No. 24 of 2007 on disaster management in pre-disaster, disaster, and post-disaster stages, Prof. Sudjito criticized the existence of political disasters, malpractice, legal disasters, drug-related disasters, etc., which have not been included in the law.
This activity is also aligned with the implementation of SDGs Number 17 on Partnership for the goals.
Author: Arni Wistriatun
Editor: Ana Anggraini
Photo: