Disaster-prone Areas Research Articles

Savaxay: An Assessment of a Traditional Ivatan House the Case of Teresita Nobleza House in Brgy: Raele, Itbayat, Batanes (Addressing Perspective of SDG 11)

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the structural integrity and cultural significance of the traditional Ivatan house, known as savaxay, in Itbayat, Batanes. The research aims to explore the application of modern engineering techniques to enhance the resilience of these traditional structures while preserving their cultural identity, addressing the perspective of SDG 11. Theoretical Framework: This study is framed within the concepts of vernacular architecture, resilience, and sustainable development. It draws on theories of disaster risk reduction, cultural preservation, and the integration of local building materials with modern engineering practices to promote the long-term sustainability of traditional structures in disaster-prone areas. Method: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating on-site observations, structural analysis, interviews with local artisans, and validation from community members. The study assessed the anatomy of the savaxay in terms of site conditions, foundation, stone walls, wood framing, roofing, and mechanical fasteners to understand the building technology used in the traditional construction of these houses. Results and Discussion: The study reveals that the traditional Ivatan house design, though resilient to past storm conditions, is no longer fully adequate for the increasing intensity of natural disasters. The findings suggest the need for modern engineering interventions, such as incorporating reinforced concrete to enhance stability, while maintaining the cultural identity through local materials like thatch cogon roofing and wood framing. Research Implications: This research provides insights into integrating cultural preservation with modern construction techniques to improve disaster resilience. The findings offer valuable recommendations for other disaster-prone areas that seek to preserve their traditional architecture while adapting to contemporary challenges. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the need to innovate traditional construction practices without compromising cultural identity. The research emphasizes the importance of sustainable, resilient architecture and serves as a model for other communities facing similar challenges in disaster resilience and cultural preservation.

Inclusive Data for Resilience:

This research, conducted by Plan Indonesia, YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), and the Klaten Association of Disabled People (PPDK), with support from ELRHA, UKAid, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Plan International, aimed to foster inclusive research by integrating Views from the Frontline (VFL) guidelines with the Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) method. The study involved women, people with disabilities, including youth and children with disabilities, as well as the elderly. The research participants included people with disabilities, the elderly, health cadres, and elderly cadres. The research was conducted from May to December 2023 in the disaster-prone areas of Kemalang and Manisrenggo Districts, Central Java. Data analysis was done through triangulation, utilizing multi-party meetings to verify findings based on various times, places, and participants. The research identified types of threats related to the Merapi volcano eruption and needs based on the Humanitarian Inclusion Standard, focusing on gender, age, and ability. Key recommendations include integrating disaster risk management approaches with community-led action plans, enhancing inclusion, promoting local leadership, and developing a national advocacy strategy to increase community involvement in disaster risk reduction efforts, particularly for women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Seed Dormancy and Germination Potential of Coastal Rice Landraces in Bangladesh: Implications for Climate-Resilient Cultivation

The coastal regions of Bangladesh host a rich diversity of Aman rice landraces, which are crucial for local agriculture but are highly vulnerable to natural disasters like cyclones and floods. Specifically, local landraces often experience flooding during grain filling and maturation stages, and sprouts in the field lead to a severe loss of yield. Seed dormancy, which delays germination, is a key trait for escaping sprouting in the field during harvesting. However, there is lack of information on genetic variability in the existing rice landraces grown in the coastal area of Bangladesh. This study evaluated the seed dormancy of 28 local Aman rice landraces, plus four varieties from the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Germination tests were conducted under controlled conditions, and an electrical conductivity (EC) test was used to assess seed vigor. The results showed that Bari Mota, Tulsimala, Chinigura, Dishari, and Birindi exhibited the highest dormancy rates, i.e., 100%, 100%, 99%, 99%, and 99%, respectively, while BINA Dhan 10, Nona Bokra, and BINA Dhan 8 had the lowest dormancy rates, with values of 11%, 16%, and 24%, respectively. Priming treatments enhanced germination rates in some varieties; however, others, such as Bari Mota and Tulsimala, remained dormant, underscoring the variability in seed dormancy levels. Compared to non-priming, a significant improvement of germination was recorded in BRRI dhan 41 (85.3% vs. 9%), Motha mota (84% vs. 8%), Lal chikon (74.6% vs. 1%), Sadamota (74.6% vs. 5%), and Bashful (53.3% vs. 3%). Altogether, our results suggest that local landraces are diverse in seed dormancy, and genotypes with high dormancy, such as Bari Mota and Tulsimala, can potentially be grown in the disaster-prone coastal areas. In contrast, these genotypes can be used for future breeding programs. Therefore, this study carries significant implications for rice cultivation in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Suitability analysis of the distribution final evacuation sites for Mount Merapi based on GIS

Abstract Mount Merapi is a very active volcano and eruptions often occur on a scale that is difficult to predict, thus endangering people on the slopes of Mount Merapi. FES (Final Evacuation Site) and evacuation routes are one of important things to reduce casualties due to eruptions, therefore its location must be in a safe area or outside the DPA (Disaster Prone Area). The objectives of this research are 1) GIS-based disaster vulnerability class modeling in Mount Merapi area. 2) Analyzing the distribution of FES (Final Evacuation Sites) and determining evacuation routes during the eruption of Mount Merapi based on the hazard class zone. The methods used are buffer analysis to model the DPA class, network analysis to determine the fastest route to the nearest residential evacuation site, and overlay to combine the three. DPA zone modeling is based on BPBD rules. The results obtained are maps of evacuation routes and the suitability of FES to DPA. The distribution of FES on the slopes of Mount Merapi covers the entire study area with two FES that are still very close to Kali Putih.

Risk communication strategies in the tourism industry in disaster prone areas

Abstract Indonesia as the third most disaster-prone country in the world. This is due to the frequency with which natural disasters occur in Indonesia. Crisis management and disaster mitigation will be one of the policy orientations for developing tourism and the creative economy in 2023, with the objective of strengthening the contribution of tourism and the creative economy to national economic resilience. Several tourism managers in areas prone to natural disasters do have not an understanding of the communication risks involved in mitigating potential natural disaster threats. The objective of this qualitative descriptive research is to identify a risk communication strategy for the tourism industry in disaster-prone areas. The perception of fundamental risk determines the risk communication strategy. This article utilizes the pre-disaster phase of the disaster management cycle in the ‘Principles of Emergency Planning and Management’ to develop a risk communication strategy for the tourism industry in disaster-prone areas. The article findings identified a six-step risk communication strategy for the tourism industry in disaster-prone areas: conducting a situation analysis by examining the potential based on the geographical conditions of the tourist area; identifying potential risks based on stakeholders; developing a risk communication plan for each potential risk that is divided into internal and external communication; and establishing a crisis communications team.

Analysis of student preparedness behaviour in facing lava rainfall disasters

Students are vulnerable to natural disasters. This is further exacerbated by the large number of schools located in disaster-prone areas, so student preparedness behaviour needs to be continuously improved. This study aims to determine the level of preparedness, awareness, action, and effect students have in dealing with the volcanic eruption of Mount Merapi. This study used quantitative research; the instrument used was a questionnaire made by taking samples at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Salam. The sampling method was stratified random sampling from students in grades 10, 11, and 12. The assessment of students’ preparedness behaviour in dealing with rain lava was based on four variables: preparedness, awareness, action, and affect. Then, each variable was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple correlation analysis. The study results show that the relationship between preparedness, awareness, action, and affect shows a strong level of closeness with a value of 0.680. The study identifies critical gaps in knowledge and behavioural responses that must be addressed to enhance overall preparedness behaviour. The results underscore the importance of targeted educational interventions and community engagement in fostering a culture of resilience among students in disaster-prone areas.

Management of inclusive data for Merapi volcano eruption risk areas using participatory action research (PAR) with the perspective of women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities

This research, conducted by Plan Indonesia, YAKKUM Emergency Unit (YEU), and the Klaten Association of Disabled People (PPDK), with support from ELRHA, UKAid, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Plan International, aimed to foster inclusive research by integrating Views from the Frontline (VFL) guidelines with the Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) method. The study involved women, people with disabilities, including youth and children with disabilities, as well as the elderly. Research participants included people with disabilities, the elderly, health cadres, and elderly cadres, and was conducted from May to December 2023 in the disaster-prone areas of Kemalang and Manisrenggo Districts, Central Java. Data analysis was done through triangulation, utilizing multi-party meetings to verify findings based on various times, places, and participants. The research identified types of threats related to the Merapi volcano eruption and needs based on the Humanitarian Inclusion Standard, focusing on gender, age, and ability. Key recommendations include integrating disaster risk management approaches with community-led action plans, enhancing inclusion, promoting local leadership, and developing a national advocacy strategy to increase community involvement in disaster risk reduction efforts, particularly for women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Based Map Making Training in Desa Jejangkit Muara, Kabupaten Barito Kuala

Desa Jejangkit Muara is located in Kabupaten Barito Kuala, Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan. In 2021, a flood disaster occurred, affecting 11 regencies/cities in Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan. Furthermore, in 2023, the forest and land fire disaster significantly increased, with indications of the burned area reaching 190,394.60 hectares. This study aims to provide training measured by knowledge and skills. This training is based on the results of a field study conducted by the Geography Study Program, Lambung Mangkurat University. Village communities receive GIS training to enhance their comprehension of disaster-prone areas and reduce the risks associated with fires and floods. This study employs the univariate method, which involves calculating the frequency of numbers using field-measured and calculated primary data. Research activities include training in introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), mapmaking, layout design, and satellite image processing using the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and overlay methods. The evaluation results indicated a significant improvement in the participants' knowledge and skills during the SIG 1 training, with an average score of 57, compared to 66 and 69 for the first and second examiners, respectively. In SIG 2 training, the average was 63, while the skills of the first examiner were 60, and the second examiner was 50. The results of SIG 3 training averaged 53, while the skills of the first examiner were 55 and the second examiner was 65. This study shows the importance of ongoing training to improve community disaster preparedness and resilience.

REGENERATION OF WATERFRONT SETTLEMENTS IN METROPOLITAN LAGOS

Waterfronts are places where rich and influential people in the society own houses or live in them. They are desirable in many developed nations where people go to relax due to their natural beauty. In developed nations, waterfronts are continuously being regenerated to meet the needs of the 21st century and having sustainability in mind. This study aimed at challenges and prospects of regeneration of the waterfront settlements in Lagos with a view to proffering solutions to the problems identified. The research was conducted in waterfront communities on a sampled population of 192 persons. Majority of the interviewed persons are students and have lived in the waterfront community for about 10 years. The result shows that there is awareness of the disaster occurrence and the disaster is caused mainly by prolonged rainfall and blocked drainages. It was revealed that there has been an urban regeneration for the six months and the impacts of the urban regeneration led to improved waterways/canals/drainages, improved condition of Roads and access to infrastructure. The study showed that wear and tear of roads is the major environmental or physical risks and impacts associated with disaster; change in travel behaviour and increased travel time are the major social risk and impact; increased cases of malaria is the major health risk and impact associated with disaster; while damage to property is the major economic risk and impact of disaster in the sampled locale. The study also revealed that signals or information are not available to the residents before an impending disaster. The study concluded that urban regeneration has improved waterways, canals, drainages, condition of roads and access to infrastructure in the waterfront settlements in Lagos. However, the challenges faced by the waterfront communities is as result of lack of signals or information before an impending disaster led to wear and tear of roads is the major environmental or physical risks and impacts associated with disaster; change in travel behaviour and increased travel time are the major social risk and impact; increased cases of malaria are the major health risk and impact associated with disaster; while damage to property is the major economic risk and it impact disaster. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government should ensure that there is proper planning and coordination in order to control and minimize disaster risk and it impacts in Lagos metropolis; there should be effective integration of all agencies with mandates to manage disasters in the state; and the government should provide up-to-date data on disaster prone areas and vulnerabilities, and use that for risk assessment for urban planning and decision-making

Children living in disaster-prone areas in Timor Island: what do they know about disaster and climate change?

ABSTRACT Global environmental change’s impact on local realities, which is getting more worrying daily, sparks awareness of the importance of risk reduction, adaptation, and preparedness in the communities, especially children and adolescents vulnerable to disasters and climate change. West Timor of East Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the areas that is at risk of climate change and disaster in Indonesia. This study aim to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness for disasters and climate change in children living in climate-risk and disaster years. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Based on the study’s results, there are two main themes, namely (1) understanding related to disaster risk and climate change and (2) scientific attitudes possessed by students. Identifying the level of understanding and extent of critical thinking ability of children and adolescents that can inform policymakers and advocates to empower children to cope with future disaster risks.

PENGARUH SOSIAL MEDIA TERHADAP MITIGASI BENCANA BANJIR

Indonesia frequently experiences natural disasters, especially floods. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) utilizes social media to reduce the likelihood of disasters and disseminate information about them. Disaster mitigation is an effort to reduce the risks and impacts of disasters on communities in disaster-prone areas. These disasters can include natural events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, or volcanic eruptions, as well as human-induced disasters such as social conflicts and terrorism. The goal of disaster mitigation is to minimize the risk of fatalities and injuries to residents and reduce losses when hazards occur in the future. This includes mitigating economic losses and damage to public sector infrastructure. The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of how social media can be leveraged to disseminate information about natural disasters and to build public awareness regarding potential disaster risks in the future. Keywords: Disaster mitigation, Floods, Social media, Impact, Society

Difficulties faced by three hospitals evacuated from the urgent protective action planning zone after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant accident.

In radiological disasters, evacuating institutionalized individuals such as hospitalized patients and nursing home residents presents complex challenges. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant (FDNPP) accident, triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), exposed critical issues in evacuation planning. This case series investigates the evacuation difficulties encountered by three hospitals situated 20 to 30km from the FDNPP following the GEJE and FDNPP accident. Data collection involved reviewing records, stakeholder interviews and analyzing publicly available resources. Six key challenges emerged: acute phase influx-hospitals faced an abrupt surge in patients, including trauma victims and vulnerable individuals; initial discharge and transfers-coordinating patient discharges and transfers during the chaotic aftermath proved daunting; staff shortages-evacuation and personal factors lead to reduced staffing levels and strained hospital capabilities; infrastructure damage and logistics suspension-infrastructure issues, such as burst water pipes, halted gas supplies, and heavy oil shortage disrupted hospital operations; unclear evacuation criteria-ad hoc evacuation decisions underscored the lack of clear criteria; and limited preparation time-minimal preparation time hindered communication and planning. These findings underscore the need for robust disaster planning, resource management, and communication strategies to ensure the safety of patients and staff during radiological emergencies. Government interventions, early patient discharge, and improved medical record communication may alleviate the burden of evacuation. The lessons learned emphasize the importance of maintaining hospital functions in disaster-prone areas, particularly for vulnerable populations, and highlight the necessity for comprehensive community-wide disaster prevention planning.

Tourism Industry Management Strategy Based on Disaster Mitigation in Morotai Island Regency

Objective: This study aims to develop a disaster mitigation-based tourism industry management strategy in the Morotai Island Regency. Theoretical Framework: The development of a disaster mitigation-based tourism industry is needed to educate the community and tourists to feel comfortable when travelling and to reduce the risk of disasters at tourist destinations. Method: The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in this study. AHP is a technique for determining decisions when multiple criteria need to be considered and functions by breaking down complex problems into smaller groups so that they are more structured and systematic. Results and Discussion: The results of this study indicate that the most important tourist attractions in tourism development in Morotai are coastal areas/mangrove forests, with historical heritage sites occupying the highest position. The parties that play a key role in managing Morotai tourism are the government, community, and private sectors. The criteria for developing Morotai tourism include accessibility, disaster mitigation, and accommodation. In the next stage, four alternative strategies are proposed for priority handling: the development of disaster-resilient infrastructure, evacuation systems, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness training. Research Implications: The managerial implications are First, the government should focus on developing coastal tourism/mangrove attractions. Second, the government and related parties should improve accessibility and accommodation by focusing on disaster mitigation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the development of the tourism industry in disaster-prone areas.

Flying books: a new frontier of mobile libraries in the era of Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR)

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how drone technology can enhance the reach and efficiency of mobile library services, particularly in remote and underserved areas. It aims to evaluate the potential of drones in overcoming traditional access barriers, improving resource distribution and fostering greater community engagement through advanced service delivery mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach to explore the integration of drone technology in mobile library services, framed within the context of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR). Drawing literature from databases such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate and Scopus, it also presents a case study of drone-enabled library services implemented in rural communities of Nigeria. The study focuses on the practical aspects of drone deployment, the impact on underserved communities and the challenges faced, offering insights into the logistical and operational dynamics of this innovative service model. Findings The study reveals that drone technology significantly improves access to library resources, particularly in hard-to-reach and disaster-prone areas. Drones offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to conventional mobile libraries, cutting operational costs by 60% and reducing delivery times by 40%. Despite these advantages, the implementation process encountered challenges such as financial sustainability, community skepticism and the need for specialized staff training. Originality/value The study contributes to the evolving discourse on mobile library innovations, positioning drones as a practical and sustainable solution for expanding library services in the 5IR era. It provides new perspectives on the logistical, social and environmental benefits of drone-enabled libraries, emphasizing their potential to enhance digital literacy, aid in disaster recovery and build stronger community connections.

Fathers and Gender: Key Factors Shaping the Resilience of Children After the Cianjur Earthquake

The November 2022 earthquake in Cianjur had both adverse and beneficial psychological effects, with children being among the most susceptible groups. This aims the factors influencing the resilience of child disaster survivors, focusing on paternal factors such as educational background, income, and the children's gender. The study employed a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design. Participants were 196 students from grades 4 to 6 residing in Cijedil Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency. The sampling technique used in this research is purposive sampling, and Spearman's correlation was applied to analyze the results. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between fathers' education and income and the resilience of child earthquake survivors in Cianjur, with the father's education emerging as the most influential factor. While girls demonstrated a higher average resilience score compared to boys, the difference was not statistically significant. This research contributes to understanding children's resilience after disasters and offers insights to strengthen children's resilience against the psychological impact of such events. The research proposes practical recommendations for improving child resilience in disaster-prone areas like Cianjur, focusing on strengthening economic support for families, promoting parental education, enhancing access to education and mental health services, and developing community-based resilience programs.

Pengelompokkan Daerah Rawan Bencana di Indonesia Menggunakan Metode Clustering K-Means

Indonesia is a country with a high level of disaster vulnerability, influenced by tectonic activity and its tropical climate. This study uses the K-Means clustering method to identify and group disaster-prone areas based on the level of vulnerability. The data used included average temperature (Tavg) and rainfall (RR) which were processed using Python. The analysis process includes data collection, pre-processing, determination of key features, and evaluation of clustering quality using the Elbow and Silhouette Score methods. The results of the grouping show two main patterns, namely flood-prone areas and drought-prone areas. These findings are expected to support the government in more effective and data-based disaster mitigation planning.

An Intelligent Optimazitation Method for Evacuation Route Planning in the Occurrence of Natural Disasters

This research aims to design and apply intelligent optimization methods using various algorithms to find disaster evacuation routes. The efficiency and effectiveness of evacuation routes are essential in disaster situations to ensure the safety of the affected residents. This research focuses on developing an intelligent optimization method utilizing the Multi Vertex Multi Goals (MVMG) scheme to find optimal evacuation routes. In this scheme, multiple starting points and evacuation destinations reflect the actual conditions on the ground. The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm was chosen because of its superiority in finding optimal solutions in dynamic and complex conditions. This research also compares the performance of ACO with traditional algorithms, such as Dijkstra and Breadth-First Search (BFS). The test results show that ACO consistently achieves the lowest evacuation time and the highest efficiency compared to the other two algorithms. In addition, this research opens opportunities for further research by considering complex factors, including traffic congestion and disaster-prone areas, to improve the robustness and application of optimization algorithms in more realistic and dynamic scenarios.

Evaluation of Disaster Risk and Mitigation Strategies for Post-Disaster Permanent Housing in the Palu Koro Fault Area

The Palu Koro Fault in Sulawesi, Indonesia, an area with very high seismic activity, with a historical record of large earthquakes, including the devastating event on September 28, 2018. This earthquake, accompanied by a tsunami and liquefaction, caused significant damage to infrastructure and residential areas in Palu City, Donggala Regency, and Sigi Regency. A future similar event needs to be studied based on technical aspects related to disaster vulnerability criteria. The SNI 03-1733 (2004) establishes the disaster risk criteria in residential areas, such as landslides, floods, and earthquakes. BNPB has also created a disaster-prone map in Indonesia. However, studies on safe housing emerging from various disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, liquefaction, and other risks, specifically being in the path of planes or near high voltage currents, are still limited. This research aims to assess disaster risk in post-disaster permanent residential relocation using the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management framework, which includes vulnerability conditions, evaluation of technical aspects, disaster risk analysis, and development of recommendations, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were analyzed using a scale-based method, with descriptive statistics to calculate frequency, averages, and percentage of the risk categories at each location. Qualitative analysis produces narratives regarding the impact of risks on community safety and residential infrastructure. The current study results show that high-risk factors, including earthquakes, floods, and landslides, require immediate mitigation. Additionally, immediate action should be taken for risks categorized as unacceptable, involving building strengthening, drainage system improvement, and soil stabilization, to reduce the risk of liquefaction. Concerning moderate risks, which belong to the undesirable category, they also require further treatment to minimize the impact of future disasters. The current study also emphasizes the importance of community survivors' participation in the relocation and disaster preparation process. This underlines the need for an integrated approach to disaster risk management to strengthen the resilience of communities and infrastructure in disaster-prone areas.

Sustainable resilient communities: Strengthening tourism village institutions in disaster prone villages, central Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia.

Abstract This study aims to identify the institutional capacity of tourist villages in terms of preparedness, safety, and sustainable community resilience to manage tourist villages in disaster-prone areas. This study develops a theoretical framework based on institutional and socio-ecological resilience. Using qualitative research methods, the object of the study was the Rindu Hati tourist village, Central Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province, Indonesia, which was identified as a disaster-prone village but is included in the top 10 tourist villages in Bengkulu Province. Data collection techniques included participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document studies. The results of the study confirmed that the Rindu Hati village has a natural landscape, socio-culture, and tourist attractions that are potential tourist villages worthy of development. Community resilience requires assistance from the local government, academic support, and the private sector. Strengthening the institutional capacity of tourist villages so that community resilience in dealing with natural disasters becomes important. The implications of the study emphasize that the development of sustainable disaster-prone tourist villages requires adaptive community resilience to all changes, but this process takes time and strong and well-organized institutions.

Optimization of disaster management vessel networks in integrated disaster management governance in Indonesia using genetic algorithm

Abstract Indonesia is highly susceptible to natural disasters due to its location at the convergence of three major tectonic plates: the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Pacific plates. These disasters significantly impact the nation’s economic development. This study focuses on natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, and flash floods. Currently, maritime disaster management primarily involves ships from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). However, this often leads to mismatches between disaster-prone areas and the locations of available ships, resulting in delayed emergency response times and higher disaster management costs. In addition to TNI ships, the government has vessels from the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) that could be utilized for disaster management. There are also situations where certain response functions cannot be effectively performed by ships, leading to inadequate assistance for disaster victims and potentially increasing fatalities. This research aims to optimize the use of existing ships for disaster management by considering operational costs and coverage areas through the application of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) method. GA is used to identify the optimal combination of ships that minimize costs and maximize coverage areas. The findings of this study provide several ship combinations suitable for responding to natural disasters in Indonesia, which can serve as valuable input for the government in enhancing disaster management efforts.