CBDRMNU Finalizes Module for Disaster Prevention

Jakarta, NU Online
After working hard for about one year, finally the NU-styled module of disaster prevention basing on pesantren and community finished at a Bandung's third workshop on 18-20 June.

Program Manager of the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Nahdlatul Ulama (CBDRMNU) Avianto Muhtadi explained that the concept of  the NU’s disaster handlin<>g was preventive, not emergency response.

To arrange this module, its team has undertaken a survey in three pesantrens that to be expectedly such a pilot project, giving ToT for santris before transferring their knowledge to community especially to their social surroundings. Each step has given valued experiences for the module.

Every sample of pesantren was selected based on different threats of disasters. Pesantren Assidiqiyah Jakarta had been formerly selected for the threat of flood and fire. Pesantren Darussalam Watucongol had also been selected for the threat of volcano, and Pesantren Nurul Islam for the threat of landslide.

As the head of DKI’s Banser, he explained that handling disaster based on community developed by NU had involved three parties in locations, namely pesantren, PCNU, and community around pesantren. In the workshop, every party was represented by two persons.

In the finalization meeting, there was still a proposal from the three pesantrens, namely Pesantren Assidiqiyah proposing a program of filling and cleansing river, Pesantren Nurul Islam proposing of replanting and Pesantren Darussalam Watucongol proposing evacuation measures.

Avianto added, AusAid as the funding for the program had given commitment to support the preliminary program having been proposed by pesantrens, but this fund was only as a trigger. Furthermore, the pesantren and community were expected to distribute their funds by involving other community elements like Satlak and local government.

“They will be NU’ leaders in any disaster preventions based on pesantren. We are not only talking but also taking action in locations affected. Now, we have trained 500 santris and community,” he said.

The existing problem is the status of institution, for up to now, there has not been such a special body dealing with disaster prevention. “They ask, how about the measures taken by the institution and where is the involvement of PCNU, pesantrens and community as within NU there isn’t a special body dealing with it,” he said.

The module that will be developed in 15 pesantrens consists of introduction of disasters, preparedness, theological aspect, moral and character awareness, what should be done, and community organization.

There were 18 individuals attending the meeting that represent three vulnerable areas. Present at the occasion being speakers were from PBNU, ITB and scores of NGOs whose concern over disasters and environment like AFC and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi). (mkf)