EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The world is facing growing threats from multidimensional crises involving geopolitics, the economy, the environment, security, and humanitarian affairs. In response, community preparedness, stronger social solidarity, and cross-sector coordination have become urgent.
These issues were discussed in a Ruang Publik program on TVMu titled A World on the Brink of Multidimensional Crisis, which aired on Saturday (7/11).
The discussion featured Maarif Institute Executive Director Andar Nubowo, Muhammadiyah cadre and University of Edinburgh student Hasan Arif Efendi, and former Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Special Branch in Japan Muhammad FIrdaus. Rahmawati Husein, an expert on the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center, also shared her views in a separate interview.
Urging Residents to Prepare for Emergency
One indication of growing global concern is the advice issued by several countries urging residents to prepare emergency supplies that can sustain them for 72 hours. These preparations include stocks of water and food, communication equipment, and knowledge of how to respond to emergencies.
Hasan Arif Efendi explained that the United Kingdom government has introduced similar guidance. The government has been promoting preparedness for various potential emergencies, including extreme weather, floods, power outages, food shortages, and transport disruptions.
According to Hasan, having supplies for three days is important because communication networks, electricity, and transportation services may be disrupted during a disaster. People need to be able to rely on their own supplies while waiting for assistance to arrive.
“For three days worth of supplies in an emergency kit, we can continue to get adequate nutrition and access to water while waiting for help to arrive,” he explained.
He also warned that disinformation could make an already difficult situation worse. Riots in several parts of the United Kingdom fueled by false information, he said, offer an important lesson in the need to strengthen digital literacy.
People need to understand how social media works, verify information, and maintain responsible communication online. Hasan said the ability to distinguish reliable information from fabricated content, including material generated by artificial intelligence, is an essential part of community preparedness.
Japan’s Emergency Preparedness
Muhammad Firdaus shared a similar perspective from Japan. He said Japan has a relatively well-developed preparedness system because residents regularly receive education and participate in emergency response drills.
Local governments in Japan also distribute emergency kits to residents. These include bags containing ready-to-eat meals and drinking water.
Emergency drills are routinely conducted in workplaces, schools, and public facilities. Firdaus described an earthquake evacuation simulation at his workplace in which employees had to evacuate from the 29th floor using designated escape routes.
Beyond natural disasters, Japan also faces geopolitical tensions, including North Korean weapon tests involving projectiles directed toward waters near Japanese territory. The Japanese government has also provided energy subsidies to help residents cope with rising prices of essential goods.
Muhammadiyah’s Role in Strengthening Preparations
From the perspective of geopolitics and public policy, Andar Nubowo argued that the Indonesian government needs to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to multidimensional crises. He warned that an inadequate government response to various challenges could increase the risk of social and political instability.
According to Andar, strengthening social justice is a key priority. Government policies, he said, must protect the public, particularly those most affected by economic uncertainty and global threats.
Democratic resilience, human development, and national solidarity also require greater attention. He said the values of Pancasila, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), and the Islamic principle of ta’awun (mutual assistance) can provide a foundation for strengthening social cohesion.
Andar also emphasized the role of religious organizations in responding to crises. Muhammadiyah, he noted, has developed several frameworks for thought and action, including Progressive Islam, the Fiqh of Diversity, Fiqh of Disaster Response, and Fiqh of Information.
“With a strong social role, Muhammadiyah has developed good practices that can help strengthen solidarity in Islamic, religious, and humanitarian communities,” he said.
Reformulating Approach in Emergency Management
Meanwhile, Rahmawati Husein highlighted the growing vulnerability of communities as multiple crises occur simultaneously and intensify one another. She said crisis response requires a comprehensive approach, as each issue has distinct characteristics and demands different solutions.
She stressed that women, children, people with disabilities, farmers, fishers, and low-income communities deserve particular attention. Crisis response strategies must take into account the different circumstances and burdens faced by each group.
Rahmawati also called for a shift in Muhammadiyah’s approach to disaster management. Humanitarian efforts, she said, need to move beyond a predominantly reactive model and focus more on building community resilience through mitigation, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction.
She noted that MDMC has been developing initiatives in this direction, including Disaster-Resilient Congregations, Disaster-Safe Schools, Disaster-Responsive Campuses, and Disaster-Safe Hospitals.
She emphasized that communities need the capacity to respond independently to emergencies because they are the first to be present when a disaster or crisis occurs.
“In every crisis, whether humanitarian or disaster-related, the community serves as the first responder, the first to take action,” she explained.
Rahmawati also underscored the importance of verifying information before sharing it. People should cross-check news sources, seek updates from official channels, and avoid panicking in response to unverified reports.
