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.

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