(KPL/VNA) The 10th World Water Forum is taking place in Bali, Indonesia from May 18-25 under the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity”.

On May 22, delegates discussed how community-based disaster warning systems are the most important component of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) cooperation.

The forum seeks to build the CoE cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to respond to water issues influenced by climate change.

The presence of the CoE as an alliance of countries in the Asia-Pacific is expected to build strong collaboration in responding to disaster mitigation.

Speaking at a panel discussion on CoE, head of Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati said that warning systems in the community are the main requirement. However, if not supported by appropriate spatial planning and technology, there will still be victims.

According to her, disaster early warning systems around the world, including in Indonesia, still depend on the application of technology. Technology, she pointed out, cannot be a solution if it is not supported by social aspects, especially community involvement.

She highlighted the need for people's participation through communities built in disaster-prone areas so that early-warning systems can run optimally and reach those who are at risk of being affected by disasters.

KPL