Indonesia optimises social media for disaster prevention

Deputy for Disaster Prevention at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency of Indonesia Prasinta Dewi was quoted by local media as saying that mobile phones can be used for education, explaining that the agency has used social media applications, activating group chats on WhatsApp, and from there it can educate people.

Jakarta (VNA) – Communication through social media and chat applications has become part of the strategy of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) of Indonesia to raise awareness of disaster prevention among communities living in cities.

Deputy for Disaster Prevention at BNPB, Prasinta Dewi was quoted by local media as saying that mobile phones can be used for education, explaining that the agency has used social media applications, activating group chats on WhatsApp, and from there it can educate people.

She emphasised that BNPB communicates disaster-related information by using language that is easy for the public to understand.

Another strategy carried out by BNPB is organising training in partnership with educational institutions and involving communities in the dissemination of disaster-related information. Community involvement includes forming volunteer teams or task forces.

Dewi stated that the BNPB will soon conduct regular evaluations of the information distribution on disaster prevention carried out with the public.

This evaluation can be conducted through surveys to measure the level of knowledge and awareness of the community about disasters.

The BNPB has also collaborated with international organisations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations to implement projects aimed at enhancing disaster prevention capabilities in vulnerable areas.

Disaster prevention infrastructure, including early warning systems, relief centres, and environmental protection structures, has also been invested in and improved. Additionally, community participation is encouraged, from planning to the implementation of response measures. This helps to strengthen solidarity and the community's ability to protect itself.

Since the beginning of 2025, extreme weather in Indonesia has resulted in 495 cases of flooding and landslides./.

VNA

See more

Indonesia hit by 5.6 magnitude earthquake

Indonesia hit by 5.6 magnitude earthquake

A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern Maluku province on March 3, with the epicentre located 63km southeast of Maluku Tengah Regency at a depth of 10km.

Illustrative image (Photo: www.studyaustralia.gov.au)

Australia strengthens education ties with ASEAN

Wong noted the ASEAN-Australia Centre’s initiatives support the implementation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 by fostering deeper community, cultural, and business ties between Australia, ASEAN member states, and Timor-Leste.

Police question one of the 11 suspects arrested during a raid on five illegally operating e-money firms in Bangkok and two other provinces on Friday. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand busts illegal e-money firms

Thai authorities raided the companies in Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Bangkok after discovering they were operating without licenses. They arrested 11 executives and employees with a combined revenue of approximately 1 billion THB (nearly 30 million USD).

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Malaysia remains top destination for European, US investors

It stated that large international companies such as Intel, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, Google, and Plexus continued to commit to investing or increasing their investments in Malaysia, making the country one of the primary destinations for over 600 US companies.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thai PM pledges to step up economic growth

In her weekly Empowering Thais programme on March 2 morning, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said the Southeast Asian country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by only 2.5% last year because it had not invested substantially in new industries and had not prepared the people for future industries over the past decade.

Malaysian Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo speaks during the Public Sector Artificial Intelligence Adaptation Guidelines’ launching ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, on February 27. (Photo: selangorjournal.my)

Malaysia launches AI adaptation guidelines for public sector

The 158-page guidelines provide an overview of AI, ethical principles, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, risk management, adaptation methods, and self-assessment templates to help identify the scope and impact of AI within the public sector.

Illustrative image (Photo: Internet)

Thai rice faces mounting competition, high costs

President of the Thai Rice Exporters AssociatioCharoen Laothammatas predicted that the figure will reach 7.5 million tonnes this year, a 24.2% drop from last year’s 9.94 million tonmes.

Singapore guardsmen complete an obstacle course during exercise Valiant Mark with U.S. Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia in Singapore in December 2024. (Photo: SGT. SHAINA JUPITER/U.S. MARINE CORPS)

Singapore army invests in uncrewed systems to address manpower shortages

The declining number of service members as the “greatest internal challenge” facing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). To tackle this, Singapore is increasing automation and assigning conscripts and national reservists, known as “NSmen,” to roles aligned with their civilian expertise to boost efficiency and effectiveness.