During his visit to the United States (US), President Prabowo Subianto also monitored domestic conditions, especially regarding the eruption disaster of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Prabowo held a limited meeting via video conference with several ranks of the Red and White Cabinet, on Tuesday (12/11), at around 10.00 local time, or 22.00 WIB.
Prabowo asked relevant ministers and officials to provide reports regarding developments in handling the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki eruption disaster in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“I would like to be given an update regarding the disaster situation at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Flores, NTT. Please give me an update, please,” said Prabowo, opening the discussion.
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto then provided the latest report, saying that a joint team including BNPB, Ministry of Social Affairs, TNI, Polri and local governments had coordinated and carried out rescue and evacuation steps since the first eruption occurred in November 3 early morning.
According to the report, more than 13 thousand residents have fled to safer locations to avoid the impact of the eruption.
“This morning we also held a coordination meeting led by the Vice President and since the eruption on the 3rd of the morning, BNPB, Ministry of Social Affairs, TNI, Polri, Regional Government have also immediately carried out rescue and evacuation of residents,” explained Suharyanto.
This meeting is proof of Prabowo’s commitment to handling disasters responsively even though he is far from his homeland. Prabowo also wants to ensure that coordination between the central and regional governments continues to run optimally in handling emergency situations in Indonesia.
Also accompanying Prabowo at the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Meanwhile, several ministers who attended via video conference were the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, the Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, the Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, the Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the Minister of Housing and Maruarar Sirait Residential Area, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto. (P-5)
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**Interview with Dr. Ani Suryani, Disaster Management Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Suryani. We recently learned that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held a limited video conference while in the United States to discuss the Mount Lewotobi eruption disaster. What are your thoughts on the importance of this remote communication in disaster management?
**Dr. Suryani:** Thank you for having me. I think President Prabowo’s decision to hold a video conference demonstrates that effective disaster management can and should transcend physical borders. It allows leaders to stay informed and respond to emergencies in real-time, even while they are abroad. This is particularly crucial in areas like East Flores, where timely decisions can significantly impact rescue and recovery efforts.
**Editor:** What challenges do you think officials might face in coordinating a disaster response from abroad?
**Dr. Suryani:** One of the primary challenges is ensuring clear communication. When leaders are not physically present, there can be delays in receiving vital updates. Additionally, technical issues during video conferences can hinder effective collaboration. However, modern technology has made it increasingly feasible to manage these situations, as long as there is a good infrastructure in place.
**Editor:** You mentioned infrastructure. How important is on-the-ground support from local agencies during such crises?
**Dr. Suryani:** On-the-ground support is absolutely essential. Local agencies are familiar with the terrain and the community, which allows them to mobilize resources quickly and effectively. They work closely with national agencies, like the BNPB, to manage evacuations and provide humanitarian assistance. The coordination between these agencies can make a significant difference in the outcomes following a natural disaster.
**Editor:** Given the recent developments we’ve seen with the Mount Lewotobi eruption, what are the immediate steps that should be taken to ensure safety and support for affected communities?
**Dr. Suryani:** The immediate steps include ensuring that evacuation protocols are followed, providing medical care and shelter for those displaced, and assessing the damage to infrastructure. It’s also important to communicate clearly with the local population about safety measures and next steps. Long-term recovery efforts would then involve rebuilding and creating contingency plans for future eruptions, especially given Indonesia’s susceptibility to volcanic activity.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Suryani. We appreciate your expertise during this critical time.
**Dr. Suryani:** Thank you for having me. It’s always important to shed light on these issues that impact so many lives.
