Indonesia launches campaign of 1 mln safe school, hospitals

Indonesia on Thursday launched a campaign called "One Million Safe and Hospitals", aiming to provide a safe education and health buildings against natural disasters.

Coordinating Minister for People Welfare Agung Laksono told audiences that such activity is the most strategic and economical effort in reducing disaster effects.

"The campaign is an effort of global campaign held by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction ( UNIDR) 2010-2011 with theme of "Building Tough Cities, Handling Urban Risks. The campaign will be held in July to November," said Laksono.

He stressed that the activity is very important while most attentions and funding have been focused on emergency responses.

"As the consequence, readiness seems to be in lowest priority in efforts of disaster handling in general. We are aware that reducing disaster effects will eventually alleviate emergency response and rehabilitation," he said.

He called all stakeholders to increase efforts in identifying dangers and making studies of risk they pose. He also urged them to increase concern, training and education in the field of disaster.

"I also urge for increasing public role in supporting school and hospital construction that are safe against disaster as well as increasing local governments' role in implementing alertness against disasters," he said.

Source: Xinhua