Ambon City, September 25th – The Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center (TDMRC) of Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) convened with Acting Mayor Bodewin Wattimena at City Hall to deliver a comprehensive update on their ongoing tsunami research efforts in Ambon City.
Since 2022, the research team, in collaboration with TDMRC, Pattimura University (Unpatti), and various representatives from the Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD) of Ambon City, has been diligently conducting research focused on the integration of tsunami preparedness into Ambon City’s spatial planning. This crucial initiative has received backing from the USK Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) through the USK Excellent Research Program (PUU) in 2023.
During their presentation to Acting Mayor Bodewin Wattimena and City Secretary Agus Ririmasse, the research team, led by Prof. Dr. Syamsidik, highlighted significant accomplishments. Notably, they introduced a WebGIS platform providing vital spatial information about Ambon City and its tsunami risks.
In addition to their progress report, the research team revealed plans to host a Focus Group Discussion on September 27, 2023, to gather input from various stakeholders in Ambon City regarding the newly developed tsunami spatial information system.
Prof. Dr. Syamsidik elaborated, stating, “The Mayor is scheduled to participate, deliver an address, and inaugurate this half-day event.”
Furthermore, the research team announced their intent to investigate community preparedness and evacuation strategies for Ambon City residents. This research, led by Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari from USK and Dr. Ferad Puturuhu from Pattimura University (Unpatti), aims to identify optimal tsunami evacuation methods and timings, accompanied by recommendations for enhancement. The study’s findings will seamlessly integrate into the geospatial information system established by the team.
Prof. Dr. Syamsidik emphasized, “By year-end, we anticipate that the government and the wider community will have access to the geospatial information system we’ve developed.” He was joined by Dr. Ferad Puturuhu, a prominent figure in disaster risk reduction in Maluku, and Teuku Andri Renaldi ST from TDMRC USK.
Acting Mayor Bodewin Wattimena commended the dedication of researchers in Ambon and Aceh for their consistent efforts in advancing research beneficial for Ambon City’s development planning.
“I hope the ongoing collaboration between Ambon City and Banda Aceh researchers continues to strengthen,” expressed Wattimena.
He further expressed his aspiration for Ambon City’s OPD to collaborate in enhancing Ambon’s resilience to disasters.
Ambon City Secretary Agus Ririmasse welcomed the continuation of progress delivered by the joint research team.
Ronald Lekransy, Secretary of the Ambon City Communication, Information, and Signage Service (Kominfo-Sandi), who accompanied the Acting Mayor and the City Secretary, expressed satisfaction with the newly established tsunami spatial information system. He suggested integrating this system with the information systems and websites managed by the Ambon City Government to enhance accessibility and public awareness.
