Disaster Risk Communication Issues and Challenges: Lessons Learned From the Disaster Management Agency of Banda Aceh City

Abstract

The Badan Penanggulan Bencana Daerah (BPBD or Disaster Management Agency) of Banda Aceh City was established through Banda Aceh bylaw (or Qanun) No. 3 of 2011 following the significant 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Meanwhile, as Banda Aceh’s population has grown, an increasing number of people have moved to and decided to stay in areas once affected by the tsunami. Given this background, disaster risk communication is indispensable. It is important for the BPBD of Banda Aceh City to disseminate risk messages throughout the community. Disaster risk communication is informed by the communication targets set by the BPBD of Banda Aceh City. The purpose of this study is to explore the issues and challenges in implementing disaster risk communication in the Banda Aceh community and across various sectors. A qualitative research design is applied to gain an insight into the disaster risk communication of the BPBD of Banda Aceh City. Data were collected through interviews and document analysis. The results of this study show that the BPBD of Banda Aceh City has carried out disaster risk communication in accordance with its primary mandated tasks and functions. However, there have been several challenges and issues, namely limited funding and a lack of technology and disaster knowledge. Consequently, the BPBD of Banda Aceh City has been unable to efficiently realize its disaster risk communication goals.