REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BENGKULU -- The Government of New Zealand has allocated US$7 million for disaster risk reduction programs in Bengkulu province.

"The New Zealand Government is supporting the programs in Bengkulu through a research and science organization," head of the Regional Disaster Management Board (BPBD) of Bengkulu province Husni Mahyudin said here Thursday (16/4).

He added that the programs will be carried out in Bengkulu province and Seluma district.

A Memorandum of Understanding for establishing cooperation has been signed by the BPBD, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), and a representative of the New Zealand government.

"The three-year program aims to build preparedness to deal with disasters and improve the capacity of human resources," Husni added.

A legislature member of Bengkulu Parial appreciated the cooperation, considering that Bengkulu is vulnerable to natural disasters, especially earthquake and tsunami.

"On the national disaster map, Bengkulu is marked as a disaster-prone zone, especially for earthquake and tsunami; therefore, this cooperation needs to be supported," he stressed.

He also appreciated the involvement of UGM and the University of Bengkulu in the program and expressed hope that the knowledge of disaster risk reduction will be disseminated among communities.

Activities carried out under the disaster risk reduction program include preparing an action plan for disaster risk reduction, improving public knowledge, sharing building and space planning know-how, and developing early warning systems.

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