Reformulation disaster risk index assessment in Palu City, Indonesia

Abstract

The complexity of its tectonic plate influences Indonesia. Archipelagic countries pose a catastrophic threat of disaster. The subduction line surrounding Indonesia contributes to the enormous potential for tectonic earthquakes. Geographical conditions and natural disaster susceptibility in Indonesia led to a catastrophic earthquake in Palu City on 28 September 2018, one of the most catastrophic disasters in Indonesia. Response to disaster risk requires a transformation from adaptive capacity to resilience. Adaptive capacity cannot respond to catastrophic events and unpredictable disasters. Resilience can be a component in the disaster risk index because it reduces the level of risk and is also necessary as a learning process for rebuilding a system after a catastrophic disaster. This research formulates a disaster risk index by refining the standard calculation method. The capacity component in the formula will be replaced with the resilience component. The calculation of the disaster risk index, considering the resilience component, will be tested in Palu City. The disaster risk index of Palu City will be reduced if the resilience component is applied. A system can use the resilience component to reach a new equilibrium after a catastrophic disaster, even if it happens repeatedly. That way, a system bounces back better and develops its ability to face disasters, forming a new balance that reduces disaster risk.

Contribution: This study aims to reformulate the Disaster Risk Index, thereby improving disaster risk calculations. The system can remain resilient to disasters and transform into a new system after a disaster, even when disasters occur repeatedly.