UPN Veteran in Indonesia organizes a webinar series, Sekolah PRB (Disaster Risk Reduction School). The sixteenth webinar was planned by A-PAD Indonesia and held on October 15. With “Pandemic and community-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) – how do business institutions play a role” as the theme, A-PAD Indonesia’s CEO, Sinta Kaniawati, moderated the webinar and 28 DRR personnel from the government, universities, and hotels participated online.

The webinar’s panelists included the director of preparedness at the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), CEO of the Artha Graha Peduli Daily (pictured below), Director of BUMDes Batu Kumbung in West Nusa Tenggara Province, General Manager of Aruna Hotel in Lombok, and an A-PAD Indonesia staff member.

The webinar was opened by the BNPB Director of preparedness discussing laws around COVID-19 preventions for the business sector.

The CEO of the Artha Graha Peduli Daily then introduced the COVID-19 prevention measures taken at their facilities. The measures include developing business continuity plans, promoting community awareness, advising community-level DRR plans, and providing relief items.

The Director of BUMDes Batu Kumbung West Nusa Tenggara Province, a community business group, discussed an assistance scheme for health insurance coverage, the provision of personal protective equipment, food assistance, and community development activities.

The General Manager of Aruna Hotel in Lombok (pictured above) shared her experiences implementing prevention measures when the hotel was used as a self-quarantine site for health care providers.

Lastly, A-PAD Indonesia discussed their project in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces, “Strengthening the Role of Multi-stakeholders in Building the Resilience of the Tourism Industry.”

Participants asked, “Is there financial assistance for businesses participating in community-based DRR?” “What can small businesses do for COVID-19 prevention?” and “What kind of prevention measures are effective in hotels?”