BPBDs: Seven of eleven districts in West Papua Disaster Prone

Map of West Papua ( papuabarat.go.id )

Manokwari,  - Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBDs) West Papua recorded as many as seven of the 11 districts in the region is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and tsunamis.

"Based on the national disaster risk index, Manokwari District, Raja Ampat, Bintuni Bay, Wondama Bay, Sorong regency, South Sorong Regency and Regency Maybrat noted as highly vulnerable areas in West Papua," said Head of West Papua BPBDs Derek Ampnir in Manokwari, Wednesday (7/1).

He said, in 2014, three of the seven regions, namely Maybrat Regency, Manokwari and Wondama Bay natural disasters.

"An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale damaging 113 homes Maybrat District, floods in Manokwari and Wondama Bay damaging public facilities and homes," he said.

He said, anticipating the possibility of a disaster in seven areas prone to it in 2015, the Regional Disaster Management Agency of West Papua Province facilitate BPBDs district level to hold activities related to standby and emergency response disaster management.

"This year we facilitate BPBDs district in West Papua, especially the seven disaster-prone districts in order to perform simulations of disaster management activities in each district," he said.

He further said that the purpose of various activities carried out simulations of disaster management at the district level so that when disaster strikes the area is ready to handle a variety of problems that occur.

In addition to the simulation activities, he added, BPBDs coordination between provincial and district levels as well as related agencies further enhanced so that when disaster strikes all sectors can contribute to handle disaster victims. (Antara/PC/DP)