Press Release

The JICA Grassroot Technical Cooperation Project "Building a Disaster-Resistant Community through the Utilization of Local Universities as a Base for Responding to Low Frequency, Large-Scale Disasters (hereinafter referred to as the "Project") ", a workshop for volcanic disaster prevention of Agung Volcano in Bali was held in February 11th (Sat) at Besakih Village, Karangasem Regency, Bali.

Panel Discussion

Demonstration of disaster prevention education using a model

During the workshop, Project Team from Mt. Fuji Research Institute (MFRI) in Yamanashi Province and NPO Volcano Japan, in collaboration with Universities in Indonesia namely Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and Udayana University conducted a discussion and educational demonstration related to volcanic disaster education. Nearly 100 participants, including the project's counterpart universities, from local governments, elementary school officials, volunteer groups, and representatives of local residents, were gathered to discuss and promote volcanic disaster mitigation awareness.

Indonesia is one of the most active volcanic countries with around 127 active volcanoes. However, it was difficult to establish standard emergency response as each volcano has different character. Especially, low frequency volcano such as Mt. Agung made surrounding people difficult to accumulate experience and knowledge about emergency response. Therefore, in order to promote disaster mitigation awareness in volcanic areas in Indonesia, this project is conducting activities aiming at 1) Prevailing disaster mitigation knowledge in normal condition and 2) Making system for government, and citizens to counter the situation together when the volcano eruption happened.

Mr. Mitsuhiro Yoshimoto, as the Project Leader, said, "In order to mitigate natural disasters, it is necessary for residents to actively evacuate, and for that reason, disaster mitigation education is important. I would like to utilize the knowledge and experience I gained from several volcanoes such as Mt. Fuji in Japan to facilitate community in collaboration with local university to continue disaster mitigation education."

Implementation period	2022-2025 (3 years)
Target area	Karangasem Regency, Bali
Implementing organization	Japan side: Mt. Fuji Research Institute, NPO Volcano (representative) Indonesian side: Gadjah Mada University, Udayana University (representative)
project purpose	To build a disaster-resistant community by utilizing local universities as an intellectual base for responding to volcanic eruptions, which are low in frequency, bring large-scale disastrous damage accompanied by other hazards, and are difficult to handle with general disaster mitigation efforts.
Expected Outcomes	A liaison system for responding to volcanic eruptions based on the recent eruption of Mount Agung is established by utilizing local universities as an intellectual base while cooperating with regional government agencies as well as by applying the structure of Japan's volcanic disaster mitigation councils. A system for cultivating human resources (schoolteachers, etc.) to disseminate volcanic disaster management and to teach children in the region about disaster preparedness, with local universities serving as an intellectual base, in order for the community to be always ready to respond to volcanic eruptions, which occur less frequently than other natural disasters is designed. A disaster-resistant community model applicable to all volcanic areas in Indonesia is explored and outcomes are publicized.

What is the JICA grassroots technical cooperation project?

Implemented as part of JICA's Official Development Assistance (ODA) with the aim of contributing to the economic and social development or reconstruction of local residents in developing countries. Japanese NGOs/CSOs, local governments, universities, private companies, and other organizations willing to participate in international cooperation propose international cooperation activities based on the knowledge and experience they have accumulated through their past activities. It is commissioned and operated under a cooperative relationship between JICA and the organization.

• Overview of Grassroots Technical Cooperation Projects | Efforts by Project | Businesses/Projects - JICA (Japanese)

About Mt.Fuji Volcano Research Institute

The institute scientifically pursues measures to protect and utilize Japan's symbol, Mt. Fuji as a shared global asset. Since its opening, based on the accumulated research results of Mt. Fuji, the information is disseminated to the world, and it is actively working on disaster prevention education for the purpose of mitigating disasters.

Related projects

• the Project for "Improved local disaster prevention by exploiting a monitoring system for the west hillside of the active volcano Mt. MERAPI" (PDF) (Japanese)

[Inquiries in Indonesia regarding this matter]

About this project
JICA Indonesia - Disaster Risk Reduction Sector
Ms. Tomoko Kashihara
TEL: +62-21-5795-2112 (ex.417)
E-mail: Kashihara.Tomoko@jica.go.jp

Ms. Hastin C Diantari
TEL: +62-21-5795-2112 (ex.568)
E-mail: Hastinchandra-diantari@jica.go.jp

About PR
JICA Indonesia Office Public Relations
Ms. Putri Dinanti
TEL: +62-21-5795-2112 (ex. 222)
E-mail: putrisiahaan.in@jica.go.jp