[DISCOURSE] Local governments’ readiness key to community resilience around volcanoes

Ati Nurbaiti
The Jakarta Post

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Jakarta / Mon, December 14, 2020 / 09:54 pm

[DISCOURSE] Local governments’ readiness key to community resilience around volcanoes

Mount Semeru's hot ash cloud can be seen from Pronojiwo district in Lumajang, East Java, on Dec. 1, 2020. Based on the monitoring of the Semeru Volcano Post on Mount Sawur, Semeru spewed hot clouds over 11 kilometers, with ash falling across a number of areas in Lumajang regency. (JP/Seno)

Amid strained resources in coping with COVID-19, thousands of people are in danger of volcano eruptions. Java’s tallest mountain, Mount Semeru, erupted in early December. Others on high alert include Mt. Merapi in Central Java and Mt. Sinabung in North Sumatra. Ageng S. Herianto, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s assistant representative (program), who was responsible for the FAO recovery program for communities around Sinabung and Merapi, talked with The Jakarta Post contributor Ati Nurbaiti regarding the issue. Question: In light of the pandemic, an even heavier burden has been placed on local and national governments. What are realistic measures they can take for surrounding communities facing repeated eruptions such as those of Mt. Sinabung and Mt. Merapi? Answer: Smallholder farmers, especially, horticulture farmers, are among the hardest hit. ...