GOVERNOR: ACEH IN DISASTER VOLATILE ZONE

Banda Aceh, April 15 (ANTARA) - The devastating tsunami in Aceh six years ago indicated that the province is located in a disaster volatile zone, Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf has said.

"The deadly tsunami that has swept through parts of Aceh on December 26, 2004 reminded us that we are living in an area which is prone to natural disasters," Governor Irwandi Yusuf said here on Wednesday.

He made the statement when opening the 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG-IOTWS).

The even was attended by representatives from Germany, India, China, Australia, the United States, Oman, Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Prance, Tanzania, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Qatar, and Japan.

Because of its position in the disaster volatile zone, Governor Irwandi said all parties in the province should make every effort to reduce the disaster risk by environmentally-oriented development activities.

"My vision of Aceh Green is one of the efforts to reduce disaster risk by way of sustainable economic development concept through green investment strategy for Aceh," the governor said.

According to him, the commitment in disaster management was a must that has to be integrated with the system of planning and implementation of better development in Aceh.

In addition, Governor Irwandi said adaptation and mitigation effort in climate change was an important factor in the future development process.

"To date, Aceh government with its local and international partners have taken a number of measures in relation with disaster mitigation effort," the governor said.

He added that the Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) on disaster management has been arranged at provincial and district levels in Aceh.

The governor said infrastructure development in Aceh to support disaster mitigation efforts during rehabilitation and reconstruction had been made, including its supporting facility of Early Warning System (EWS) that has been operated in the province.