JAKARTA: The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) launched the National Platform on Disaster Mitigation forum here Thursday in cooperation with universities, international communities, the Education Ministry, civil societies and the business sector.

BNPB mitigation deputy Sugeng Triutomo said the forum would help all government administrative levels implement disaster relief.

"After two years of preparations, the forum has finally been established," Sugeng said.

"It's the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, an outcome of the 2005 International Conference on Disaster Mitigation in Japan, which was aimed at urging all countries to strengthen their capacities and provide mechanisms to face disasters."

He said Indonesia held a rating of two, where five was the best, on a United Nations international rating system for disaster preparedness and management.

"It means we are still far from the best standard of disaster preparedness and management," Sugeng said.

The BNPB was set up in January to replace the now disbanded National Disaster Management and Refugee Coordination Board, which was launched in 2001. -- JP

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