Harita Nickel collaborated with the Kawasi Village Government to facilitate the formation of a Village Disaster Preparedness Team (TSBD). This initiative began with disaster preparedness training and simulations involving 51 residents in the New Settlement of Kawasi Village on Friday, December 19, 2025.
This activity was led by the South Halmahera Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). It involved multi-stakeholder collaboration, ranging from the Oesman Sadik Meteorological Station, the Ternate Search and Rescue Office, the Auxiliary Health Center, to the Village Maternity Clinic. This cross-sector collaboration strengthens integrated and responsive disaster risk mitigation.
Preparedness is a strategic necessity for Kawasi Village, located in a coastal area with potential for earthquakes and high rainfall intensity. Based on the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) monitoring, peak rainfall on Obi Island occurs in June, which has the potential to increase the risk of natural disasters. Therefore, 43 adults and 8 children participating in the training were provided with materials on risk identification, evacuation simulations, and strengthening coordination during emergencies.
The Head of the Welfare Section of Kawasi Village Government, Bambang Bakir, emphasized the importance of establishing the TSBD as a concrete step to improve community preparedness. "This training is important so that the community is ready to face the impacts of weather changes and potential natural disasters in Kawasi Village. The establishment of the Village Disaster Preparedness Team strengthens the role of residents as the main actors in preparedness," he said.
The Coordinator of Observation and Information at the Oesman Sadik South Halmahera Meteorological Station, Yusran Titdoy, added that preparedness must be based on data. "Disaster preparedness must be supported by accurate weather information. This year, the peak rainfall on Obi Island occurred in June. The BMKG is strengthening its monitoring so that the community can obtain early information on the potential impact of the weather," he explained.
This initiative is also in line with the spirit of Satu Harita, Saling Menjaga (One Harita, Looking After Each Other), and the Community Empowerment Program (PPM). Assistant Vice President of Site Corporate Communications at Harita Nickel, Joseph Sinaga, emphasized that the resilience of the community is the foundation of shared sustainability.
Collaboration between the community, local government, and Harita Nickel in strengthening community-based disaster preparedness
The establishment of TSBD Kawasi is expected to become a solid community-based disaster response mechanism. Close collaboration between the community, government, disaster management agencies (Basarnas, BPBD, BMKG), and the private sector, such as Harita Nickel, will serve as a strong foundation to ensure the safety of residents and realize a sustainable, disaster-resilient Kawasi Village.