Hi, Changemakers!

Did you know that Indonesia is no stranger to natural disasters? It's no wonder we're constantly bombarded with news about them. In fact, according to The World Risk Index data from 2019, Indonesia ranks as the 37th most vulnerable country out of 180. That's a pretty alarming statistic. Sadly, not all regions in Indonesia receive adequate disaster response training and assistance, mainly due to slow and limited access to disaster information.

But fear not! PetaBencana.id, one of the selected organizers in the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) and Campaign project, is here to shake things up. Their mission? To revolutionize disaster reporting and mapping in Indonesia by bringing it into the real-time era.

So, let’s dive right in and get to know Kak Reynald, the Community & Event Coordination at PetaBencana.id. He’s the driving force behind this game-changing platform!

1. How did PetaBencana.id come to be, and what’s its main objective?

PetaBencana.id is a platform that ensures everyone in Indonesia has equal access to vital information during natural disasters. It offers free, easily accessible, and real-time verified data. And the best part? Anyone can report disasters effortlessly through various channels like WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, Facebook, and soon Instagram!

PetaBencana.id aimed to create a disaster reporting platform that's accessible to everyone. It all started as PetaJakarta.org, and after its success in Jakarta, it expanded and became PetaBencana.id. In 2017, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recognized its potential and adopted it.

2. Fascinating! So, how does PetaBencana.id actually work, and how can the public report disasters on this awesome platform?

Well, we've teamed up with CogniCity, a nifty software that captures keywords related to natural disasters. For example, let's say someone tweets about floods, earthquakes, or haze. PetaBencana.id's automated bot swoops in and asks, "Where did the disaster occur?" The user then receives a unique link to report the incident. And guess what? It's not just Twitter! You can report via WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and we’re even working on integrating Instagram.

To make it easy, PetaBencana.id encourages everyone to save their disaster bot number on WhatsApp. That way, when a disaster strikes, they can report it immediately. The platform then connects to their GPS and guides them directly to the disaster location. And if you're wondering about water levels, they've got that covered too. They provide images showing water levels relative to human height and car size. No need to whip out a measuring tape and do calculations! The data, along with relevant photos, is automatically sent to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

3. Alright, this sounds amazing! What exciting plan does PetaBencana.id have in collaboration with CIG?

We are teaming up to create a campaign that’s not only impactful but also a whole lot of fun. For comprehensive insights on disaster preparedness, our dedicated supporters are guided to visit the official BNPB/BPBD website. We will also ask supporters to save the disaster bot number on WhatsApp because we never know when a disaster might strike. Lastly, we are encouraging people to take selfies with emergency preparedness items that can be packed in a disaster kit. Now that is a campaign worth getting involved in!

4. Ah, collaboration at its finest! How does PetaBencana.id work with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and why is their role so crucial?

In Indonesia, when it comes to disasters, especially natural ones, the BNPB is the go-to authority. PetaBencana.id partners with them to enable the general public to report disasters easily. The goal is to simplify the reporting and analysis process, making it accessible to anyone with a smartphone. It’s all about joining forces for the greater good!

5. What challenges does PetaBencana.id face, and how do you overcome them?

PetaBencana.id faces a fascinating challenge: many Indonesians are unaware of our disaster-prone country. Can you believe there were 5,400 recorded disasters in 2021 alone? Even though the number decreased in 2022, we still had around 10 disaster events per day, totaling 3,544!

We've embarked on a mission to spread awareness far and wide. Imagine using your smartphone not only for selfies but also for reporting disasters and saving lives. That's right! We want everyone to know they can be disaster heroes by simply using their handy devices.

We have implemented various programs to increase awareness. We are actively present on social media, creating creative content and designing different campaigns to target audiences ranging from Gen AA to Boomers. Currently, we are running the "Duta Kurangi Resiko Bencana" (Youth Ambassadors) and Train the Trainers program, where young people are encouraged to teach disaster planning and reporting to at least ten people in their communities. Interestingly, participants are not limited to students or teachers but also ordinary citizens, creating a domino effect within their surroundings.

6. How does PetaBencana.id work with less developed regional disaster management agencies (BPPD), and how do you strive to connect with more local BPPDs? 

Sometimes, the challenge is the limited technological capabilities. They have the spirit to collaborate, but various technical constraints, including a scarcity of human resources, limited technology, and a restricted budget, can pose challenges. However, these challenges can present opportunities for us to discuss strategies and partnerships with government entities, and we are glad to engage in such discussions with CIG and Campaign.

7. Then, how does PetaBencana.id ensure that the information provided on its platform is accurate and reliable for all stakeholders? 

We have two approaches. Firstly, although the process of reporting a disaster on PetaBencana.id is simple, it involves several steps. This makes it difficult for individuals with malicious intent to misuse the platform. We request users to provide photos and accompanying descriptions, and we incorporate GPS data. This makes it challenging for spam or false reports. However, we also provide a button to report false disaster incidents, although the likelihood of misuse is very low, especially considering the humanitarian nature of these issues.

In a country prone to natural disasters, PetaBencana.id is revolutionizing the way Indonesians report and respond to such crises. By providing a user-friendly platform for real-time disaster mapping and reporting, PetaBencana.id ensures that vital information is accessible to all, regardless of technological expertise. 

We are excited about our upcoming collaboration with CIG and Campaign, as we believe it has the potential to make a transformative impact on Indonesia. Together, we can work towards creating an even better and more resilient nation for all its inhabitants.