On Nov. 5, children at the Indonesian Teachers Association (IGI) Kindergarten in Tanjung Jabung Barat took part in fun games designed to teach disaster preparedness to preschoolers.

IGI Jambi branch head Siti Aisyah, who attended the event, said that she was happy that the children could learn about disaster mitigation and take part in disaster simulation games prepared by local disaster experts. “We are sure that these kindergartners will spread the disaster preparedness knowledge they get from today’s activities to their parents, siblings and other relatives at home,” she said. 

Meanwhile, on Nov. 11, disaster simulations for local villagers and vocational high school students were held at the Muntialo village rainwater pond in Betara district, Tanjung Jabung Barat. Disaster simulations carried out in the event included water disaster rescue, forest and peatland firefighting and residential firefighting. Participants also played several disaster awareness games.

PetroChina helps develop the rainwater pond, which also serves as a local tourism attraction, as an integrated site for disaster mitigation education, environmental conservation and improving local economy.

PetroChina Communication Manager Ginandjar said that disaster mitigation was one of important programs supported by the company. “Disaster knowledge nurtured since the early age will help us be more prepared to face various natural conditions in the future, including those related to climate change,” he said. “PetroChina strives to implement responsible and sustainable upstream oil and gas governance. As the operator of Jabung Block, we realize our role in environmental protection and disaster mitigation.”

Meanwhile, Tanjung Jabung Barat BPBD head Zulfikri said the agency prioritized local people’s involvement in disaster mitigation efforts. “Disaster preparedness cannot be separated from our daily lives,” he said. Disaster mitigation should not Educating locals, including children, about potential disasters and mitigation efforts would boost a region’s disaster preparedness, he continued.

PetroChina and the Tanjung Jabung Barat BPBD have several other programs in their partnership, including preparing Pemata Lumut Village as a disaster-resilient village (Destana), which includes the development of supporting business units, and providing support equipment for the Tanjung Jabung Barat forest and peatland fires joint command post.