The Workshop on Anticipatory Action Approach to Mount Merapi Eruption Contingency Plan was successfully held on Thursday, 29 February 2024. The event aimed to gather the latest information on the situation, policies, and risks related to the current status of Mount Merapi, with the main focus on the common perception regarding the anticipatory action approach needed in updating the Mount Merapi Eruption Contingency Plan in Sleman Regency.
The event was held at Pakem Main Post, Operations and Information Control Centre of Sleman Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The event was attended by various key resource persons, including representatives from the Sleman District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Centre for Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development (BPPTKG), and the SHEEP Indonesia Foundation (YSI). Also present were representatives from the Regional Apparatus Organisations (OPD) of Sleman Regency, Kapanewon Pakem, Turi, and Cangkringan, as well as representatives from 7 Kalurahan that are potentially affected by the Merapi eruption, and non-governmental institutions that are members of the Sleman Regency Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB).
During the meeting, it was mutually agreed to conduct further coordination and hold Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in each village to re-evaluate the contingency plan at the village level which will be disseminated at the next meeting. A representative from one of the villages potentially affected by the eruption said, "Participation in this workshop gave us the opportunity to understand more about the anticipation efforts that we need to do as residents and stakeholders. It inspired us to be more prepared and responsive to the threat of disasters that may occur". This workshop is not only a forum for discussion between stakeholders, but also a momentum to take steps in dealing with the potential for complex and serious natural disasters before the eruption of Mount Merapi occurs.