Preparedness for Natural Disasters among Volunteers in East Java, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, especially geological and hydrometeorological disasters, which can adversely impact human life. Disaster management is a development carried out and integrated by the Regional Government. This study aimed to analyse the natural disaster preparedness among volunteers in the Poncokusumo Area, Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The study used a cross-sectional design to determine the volunteers’ level of disaster preparedness. The sampling technique used randomised (cluster) sampling with 165 respondents. The research used a questionnaire with a 5-category Guttman Scale for disaster preparedness index (DPI) with the parameters divided into knowledge and attitude (KA), emergency planning (EP), disaster warning system (DWS) and resource mobilisation capacity (RMC). The research was conducted in the working area of Poncokusumo Public Health Center, Maofng Regency. Data analysis in the study used a one-way ANOVA. The results showed that the volunteer level of preparedness for landslides was 67±1.33 (ready). There was a relationship between characteristics of disaster preparedness, namely, age (p-value = 0.033) and years of experience as a volunteer (p-value = 0.02). Volunteers can contribute to relief operations by providing necessities, such as food, water and shelter to affected individuals. They can also assist in clean-up activities, infrastructure repair, and community rebuilding initiatives. It is important to note that volunteers should be well-trained and coordinated with local authorities and emergency management agencies to ensure their safety and effectiveness in disaster preparedness and management situations.