GOI UNDERSCORES NEED FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001497 SIPDIS DEPT FOR F, S/CRS, EAP, EAP/RSP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: PREL EAID MASS ID SUBJECT: GOI UNDERSCORES NEED FOR EFFECTIVE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS JAKARTA 00001497 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Wirajuda participated extensively in a recent workshop on disaster relief preparedness. The event was co-hosted by Indonesia and New Zealand. GOI representatives expressed strong support for such preparedness, noting steps the Indonesian government had taken since the 2004 tsunami. All speakers underscored the large role that foreign assistance plays in disaster response. Another key theme of the workshop was the role of local communities in anticipating and responding to disasters. END SUMMARY. WORKSHOP IN JAKARTA ¶2. (U) The GOI continues to express high-level support for disaster relief preparedness. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda and New Zealand Minister of Civil Defense Rick Barker co-hosted a workshop on disaster risk management in Jakarta on August 5-6 as part of the commemoration of 50 years of Indonesia-New Zealand diplomatic relations. The two ministers gave keynote addresses and chaired a panel discussion with senior diplomats and senior disaster management officials from both countries, including Director of the Aceh-Nias Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) Kuntoro Mangkusubroto. (Note: Disaster risk management--as it was defined by the seminar--focuses on assessment and preparedness, as opposed to post-disaster relief.) DepPol/C attended the event. ¶3. (U) Barker noted that New Zealand had been one of the first countries to provide assistance to Indonesia after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and had also sent relief after the 2006 Yogjakarta earthquake. Wirajuda expressed gratitude for New Zealand's contributions and said the two countries were exploring a range of possible cooperation in disaster risk management. ¶4. (U) Drawing conclusions from his experience in managing relief and reconstruction in Aceh and Nias, Mangkusubroto emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in collecting and administering disaster relief donations. Citing the BRR's approach as an example, he noted that computerized funding records and the dissemination of those records via Internet helped to ensure transparency and accountability. All speakers underscored the large role that foreign assistance plays in disaster response. ROLE OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES ¶5. (U) Another key theme of the workshop was the role of local communities in anticipating and responding to disasters. Speakers emphasized that communities, as well as national authorities, had a responsibility to prepare for possible disasters. Assistance providers were encouraged to build such capabilities. Since the 2004 tsunami, according to government officials, Indonesia has begun to develop the necessary infrastructure along its coastlines and elsewhere. A HIGH PRIORITY FOR GOI ¶6. (C) FM Wirajuda's extensive participation in the workshop went beyond the normal diplomatic protocol for such commemorations and demonstrated his strong interest in disaster relief. He has discussed this topic at length with USG interlocutors, particularly the establishment of regional disaster relief mechanisms within the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). One fruit of that effort is the USG initiative in the ARF to develop a regional Standby Arrangement for Disaster Relief. Indonesia co-sponsored a concept paper and has supported other related USG initiatives as well. JAKARTA 00001497 002.2 OF 002 HUME