From 20 to 23 February 2024, the Early Warning Level Status Development Discussion was successfully held in three sub-districts, namely Ibun, Racaekek, and Baleendah. The event was attended by 30 participants, consisting of representatives of stakeholders and communities from the three sub-districts. The discussion aimed to evaluate and reorganise the early warning level status so that it can be used effectively in the dissemination phase. Through the assessment conducted by the YSI team, it was revealed that the existing early warning levels have not been updated and have not become a common guide, so that each region has a different reference.
The discussion began with the collection of information related to disaster risk in each sub-district, as well as the status of existing early warning levels. The jaga balai team (a community engaged in disaster risk reduction including education, training, preparedness and disaster counselling in Bandung Regency) from each sub-district, consisting of Kang Riki, Kang Awen, Kang Sopi, and Kang Sola, presented the results of the information gathering. The presentation showed the need to develop a clearer early warning level status to provide early warning when disaster approaches.
The discussion was enthusiastic and communicative, characterised by the active participation of participants in discussing various topics, including the appropriate warning level status for each sub-district and a detailed description of the area. The results of the discussion were then presented in the form of presentations by each group to the others.
The recommendations from this activity will serve as the foundation for the development of an early warning system in each sub-district, which will be tailored to the vulnerability profile and available resources. When the activity ended, Kang Riki, one of the participant representatives, expressed his hope for the sustainability of this activity: "This is an important step in strengthening disaster preparedness in Bandung Regency. It is hoped that with the evaluation and refinement of the status of early warning levels, the community can be better prepared and protected in facing potential disasters in their area" he concluded.