SHAH ALAM: Understanding the science behind natural disasters is key to preventing such incidents from happening.
Realising the importance of this, the Selangor government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Japan’s International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) of Tohoku University have carried out a study on the matter.
The study’s conclusion have seen them release a publication entitled “Disaster Risk Report: Science-Based Risk Identification and Analysis of Selected Landslide and Flood Sites in the State of Selangor”.
The report was handed to Selangor executive councilor for environment, green technology, science, technology, innovation and consumer affairs Hee Loy Sian here today.
Hee said, as a state which had seen its fair share of natural disasters, Selangor welcomed this bold step towards disaster risk reduction.
This report is the first to come out the project “Strengthening the Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity to Improve the Safety and Security of Communities by Understanding Disaster Risk” (SeDAR).
He said the four-year programme had conducted studies at four disaster-prone locations within the state and SeDAR aimed to increase the knowledge and know-how of communities to bring about a disaster-resilient society.
It puts into action the goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
“In its first Priority of Action ‘Understanding Disaster Risk’, it has emphasised the role of science and technology in explaining disaster risk to various audiences.
“With the effects of climate change being undeniably felt throughout Selangor and in many parts of the country, there is a great need for community members to understand the risks of disasters for better preparedness measures.”
He said this was in line with the state’s Smart Selangor initiative, which brought together people to enhance the state’s economic ecosystem through the delivery of better services in various domains, including Smart Disaster Management.
“We have successfully established the Selangor Disaster Management Unit for efficient and effective disaster response, coordination and management secretariat at the state level.
“With SeDAR, we can now gain capacity for better managing disaster risks.”
Hee said, through Jica, they were honoured to be working with esteemed institutions of higher learning.
“It is my hope that this collaboration of introducing science into disaster risk reduction will create a society of ‘smart citizens’ who can take an active part in ensuring that their communities are safe from natural disasters.”
He said Selangor fully supported the initiative, which would continue to benefit the people of Selangor as they would continue to run the programme long after SeDAR had completed its project.
For a start, 2,000 copies of the report would be printed and distributed to local councils, government agencies and universities, he said.