MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MALANG – To enhance disaster preparedness in Indonesia, the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) hosted a national symposium on disaster management at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) on Wednesday, October 16.
A highlight of the event was the launch of a new health-focused disaster education and training center, managed by the MDMC of (MDMC) of the Muhammadiyah Regency Board of East Java.
Chairperson of the MDMC Budi Setiawan emphasized that science has a crucial role in disaster management, from preparedness to recovery.
“Science is at the heart of disaster management. Through science, Allah has provided us with the tools and knowledge to understand and respond to these events,” said Budi.
Budi explained that the idea for a health-focused disaster response unit within Muhammadiyah originated after the 2007 Padang earthquake. The organization observed that a significant portion of its volunteers deployed to the disaster area were medical professionals. This experience prompted Muhammadiyah to develop a more structured approach to disaster response, one that not only reacted to crises but also proactively prepared communities for them.
“In 2022, the Muhammadiyah Congress (Muktamar) in Solo led to a change in our nomenclature from disaster management to disaster resilience. This shift reflects our goal of empowering communities to withstand disasters and view them as opportunities for learning and growth,” said Budi.
By focusing on science-based approaches, Muhammadiyah aims to foster a culture of resilience, enabling people to better cope with emergencies. One simple yet effective way to achieve this, according to Budi, is to remain calm during a disaster.
Meanwhile, UMM Rector Nazaruddin Malik highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and disaster management organizations. He expressed hope that the symposium would lead to new insights and strategies for mitigating disaster risks.
As a professor of management, Nazaruddin Malik emphasized the significance of risk assessment, both natural and human-induced.
“It’s crucial to assess the potential risks and take appropriate measures to reduce them. In the realm of management, we can even quantify these risks financially,” said Nazaruddin Malik.
Recognizing the unpredictable nature of disasters, UMM has been proactive in disaster preparedness. Since 2003, the university has insured all its buildings. Nazaruddin Malik encouraged other Muhammadiyah universities to follow suit.
