“WE ARE RESILIENT, WE ARE SAFE : A Community-Based Guide to Disaster Preparedness”
Judul : "WE ARE RESILIENT, WE ARE SAFE : A Community-Based Guide to Disaster Preparedness" Penulis : Fakhriati dkk Halaman : xii + 116 halaman Ukuran : 17,5 x 25 cm Editor : Alfida, Fakhriati, Arief Wibowo Penerbit : Pustaka Compass Terbitan : Mei 2025 Jakarta, Mei 2025   Local knowledge has long been the foundation of community resilience in the face of disasters. From indigenous knowledge to traditional practices passed down from generation to generation, all of these are part of effective adaptation strategies. For example, coastal communities often have natural signs to recognize potential tsunamis, while people in mountainous areas understand land patterns that are prone to landslides. This knowledge not only improves individual and community preparedness but can also guide more inclusive disaster mitigation policies. However, in the modern era filled with sophisticated technology, local knowledge is often marginalized and considered obsolete. In fact, the combination of technology and local knowledge can create a more comprehensive strategy in reducing disaster risk. Therefore, raising and documenting local knowledge is an important step to ensure long-term resilience. Preserving local knowledge faces various challenges, ranging from changes in lifestyle, urbanization, to the lack of systematic documentation. The younger generation tends to rely more on information from digital sources than learning from oral traditions or the experiences of their elders. Without preservation efforts, many practices that have proven effective in disaster mitigation could be lost. On the other hand, the opportunity to integrate local knowledge into modern systems is enormous. With the increasing awareness of the importance of community-based approaches in disaster mitigation, various programs have begun to accommodate local knowledge in emergency response strategies. Formal and non-formal education can also be a means to reintroduce traditional practices to the younger generation, ensuring that the knowledge remains relevant and evolves according to the needs of the times. To ensure that local knowledge-based preparedness continues to develop, several strategies can be implemented. Documentation and digitization are one of the main ways to preserve local knowledge. Collecting and documenting local practices in the form of writing, videos, or digital platforms will help in the preservation and dissemination of information. In addition, integration with education is also an important step. School curricula can include materials on local knowledge in disaster mitigation, so that the younger generation understands not only the theory but also the practices that have been proven effective. Community involvement also plays a major role in strengthening local knowledge-based preparedness. Community-based training programs that combine community experience with modern technology can improve collective preparedness. Governments and international institutions also need to be involved in strengthening this strategy. Governments can adopt policies that support the use of local knowledge in mitigation strategies, while international institutions can assist with funding and research. Mass media and social media also have an important role in disseminating good practices from various regions, so that the wider community can benefit from the experiences of other communities. In addition, recent research has shown that local knowledge can be combined with data-based technology to improve the effectiveness of disaster mitigation. Smith et al. (2023) stated that the use of community-based mapping technology has helped improve the accuracy of disaster predictions by considering local variables that are not always detected by global systems. This shows that local-based approaches are not only relevant but can also be optimized with the support of modern technology. Jones & Taylor (2024) in their research also found that the integration of early warning systems with traditional knowledge resulted in faster and more accurate responses in emergency situations. This proves that synergy between local and global knowledge is not only possible but also very necessary. Disaster resilience is not only about how a community survives, but also how they develop and adapt. By combining local knowledge with a global approach, we can create a more inclusive and effective preparedness system. This synergy does not mean replacing one approach with another, but rather finding common ground that allows for sustainability. For example, technology-based early warning systems can be strengthened with local understanding of natural signs, so that the information received by the community is more accurate and reliable. By investing in local knowledge, we not only preserve cultural heritage but also build a safer and more resilient future for the next generation. Awareness, collaboration, and real action will

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