Indonesia volcanic eruptions highlight gaps in disaster policy

Recent volcanic activity in Indonesia, including eruptions from Anak Krakatau, Semeru, Ili Lewotolok, and Ibu, has highlighted gaps in national disaster management policies. The eruption of Anak Krakatau caused volcanic ash to reach Jakarta, Banten, and West Java, leading to temporary flight suspensions at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and weather modification efforts by the BNPB.

Discussions regarding these events emphasize that current Indonesian disaster frameworks are equipped to calculate material losses—such as casualties, property damage, and economic impact—but lack instruments to account for psychological impacts. These impacts include anticipatory anxiety during emergencies and long-term effects following the conclusion of an emergency phase.

Furthermore, the intersection of natural phenomena and human activity, such as land subsidence and climate change, complicates the distinction between natural and man-made disasters. Experts suggest that modern disaster vulnerability is often linked to how human civilization interacts with ecosystems.