Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. According to the World Risk Report 2024, Indonesia ranks as the second-most vulnerable nation to natural disasters due to its geographical position on the convergence zone of three major tectonic plates (World Risk Report, 2024). This makes Indonesia highly vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, in addition to volcanic eruptions, landslides, and flooding. The country has experienced several catastrophic disasters, including the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami (7.5 magnitude), which led to over 4,400 fatalities (GFDRR, 2018), the 2021 Mount Semeru eruption, which displaced thousands of residents, and the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean 9.1 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Aceh and countries around Indonesia, which included over 230,000 fatalities (UNICEF USA, 2004). Historically, Indonesia has also faced some of the deadliest volcanic eruptions, such as the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption and the 1883 Krakatau (also known as Krakatoa) eruption, both of which had global climatic impacts (Begum, N/A). Additionally, cities such as Jakarta and Semarang experience severe flooding every year during the rainy season, causing extensive damage and disrupting daily life.
Despite its vulnerability, the Indonesian government has seemed to fail to prioritize disaster risk management. A major concern is the lack of national education programs. Unlike countries like Japan, which integrate disaster preparedness into their school curriculum and conduct regular evacuation drills, Indonesia has no standardized disaster education across its educational institutions. According to Amri et al. (2022), only 4% of schools in Indonesia have been adopting Disaster Risk Reduction Education (DRRE). When disaster education efforts do take place, they often happen only after a disaster has occurred. Schools or volunteers may conduct temporary preparedness training following an earthquake or tsunami, but these efforts are not sustained over time and are quickly forgotten. Without a structured and continuous national disaster education program, many Indonesians remain unprepared, exacerbating casualties and economic losses when disasters strike.
The high poverty rate in Indonesia further worsens disaster vulnerability. Many low-income communities, including the poor, homeless, and disabled, are forced to live in disaster-prone areas such as riverbanks, coastal regions, and unstable hillsides due to economic constraints, leaving the group to bear the brunt of disaster impact (The World Bank, 2019). For example, the Cianjur earthquake in 2022 disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, leading to higher fatalities and prolonged displacement (Handoyo et al., 2024). Similarly, in Jakarta, the annual floods primarily affect low-income neighborhoods where residents have little choice but to remain in high-risk areas despite recurring flood events (Resosudarmo and Halimatussadiah, 2018).
In February 2025, the national government decided to cut budgets to key institutions for national budget efficiency. Ironically, despite being the second-most-prone country to disaster, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG)’s budget has significantly reduced. Officials have warned that the budget cut would impact the accuracy of weather forecasts and earthquake detection, leaving the population more vulnerable to disasters (Rahayu, 2025). These budget reductions not only limit technological advancements in disaster monitoring but also decrease public outreach and preparedness campaigns. Instead of investing in strengthening disaster resilience, the government has prioritized other sectors, such as the free lunch program, which has been widely criticized and opposed by many due to concerns over its feasibility and effectiveness (Wihardja and Patunru, 2025). The situation has been exacerbated by security issues, as in the frequent cases of stolen earthquake and tsunami detection equipment, such as the recent incident in Sidrap, South Sulawesi, which further weakens Indonesia’s disaster preparedness infrastructure (Zulkarnaim, 2025).
However, certain local communities in Indonesia have preserved traditional disaster knowledge that has proven effective in saving lives. For example, the people of Simeulue, Aceh, practice “Smong,” a local oral tradition that teaches tsunami awareness. This cultural knowledge significantly reduced casualties in Simeulue during the 2004 Aceh tsunami compared to other affected regions (Rahman et al., 2017). Similarly, other indigenous knowledge systems exist across Indonesia, yet they remain isolated efforts rather than being integrated into a national strategy. While local communities have demonstrated resilience and preparedness, the Indonesian government has made no significant national efforts to integrate such local wisdom into broader disaster risk education policies. This stark contrast highlights the lack of commitment to a cohesive disaster education framework, further exacerbating the country’s vulnerability to future calamities.
In conclusion, Indonesia’s high disaster risk demands urgent and comprehensive disaster preparedness strategies. While some communities have successfully utilized traditional knowledge to reduce disaster impacts, the national government has yet to establish a sustainable, long-term disaster education and mitigation framework. The failure to prioritize disaster risk management through adequate funding, education, and sustainable policies places millions of Indonesians at continued risk. Strengthening disaster education, improving budget allocations for disaster management, and integrating local wisdom into national policies are essential steps toward reducing Indonesia’s vulnerability and enhancing its resilience against future catastrophes. Additionally, addressing economic disparities and ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to safer living conditions should be prioritized to minimize disaster risks and losses. Without these essential reforms, Indonesia will remain in a cycle of repeated devastation with no lasting solutions.
