Learning for Magetan: Mitigation that Fosters Resilience

This opinion highlights the importance of transforming disaster mitigation and preparedness from ceremonial or reactive activities into a sustainable and community-driven movement across Indonesia. It emphasizes the crucial role of collaboration among local governments, educational institutions, the private sector, the media, and community organizations in building long-term resilience. Drawing on Magetan’s experience, the article illustrates how integrating local wisdom such as cooperation (gotong royong), social gatherings (arisan), national celebrations, traditional rituals (selamatan), vigils, and communal cleaning can serve as effective and culturally grounded tools for disaster education and preparedness. By institutionalizing these practices through consistent policies and budgetary support, resilience can evolve from a mere concept in planning documents into a living culture deeply embedded within Indonesian society. This approach demonstrates that community-based and culturally contextual strategies are key to achieving sustainable resilience in the face of increasing disaster risks.