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 As leaders convene at the G20 and UNCOP27 meetings to deliberate commitments to climate action, residents across the world are already experiencing the impacts of extreme weather and are struggling to adapt to unprecedented scales of weather-related disaster events. As Indonesia braces for peak monsoon flooding, a recently launched nation-wide digital media campaign is supporting residents to stay safe and adapt to extreme weather, from the ground-up. The #ThereIsHelp notification service was launched by Twitter, together with partners Yayasan Peta Bencana and BNPB. Now, when residents search for disaster related keywords in Indonesia, the social media site will include a notification encouraging them to click through to credible information and support provided by Twitter’s official partners, PetaBencana.id and BNPB. 

Among Indonesians, the PetaBencana Twitter bot, or “BencanaBot” has become famous for its automatic responses to any post containing disaster-related keywords. The bot asks users to confirm their situation by submitting a disaster report. These reports are mapped in real-time on a free and open source platform, PetaBencana.id, where anyone is able to view and share real-time disaster updates in order to make decisions about safety and response. Since 2013, the platform has been used by millions of residents and first responders in Indonesia to make time-critical decisions about safety and navigation during emergency disaster events. Run by Yayasan Peta Bencana and supported by USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, the platform is also monitored by BNPB who use the platform to view and respond to incoming resident reports. The launch of the #ThereIsHelp feature supports the amplification of this community-based risk reduction effort, as it ensures that all Indonesians will be directed towards verified and timely information during disasters, thereby supporting greater and more effective coordination for all. 
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In preparation for COP27, PetaBencana was invited to participate at the “Intergenerational Thinkshop for Hydromet Early Warning Early Action (EWEA): The Engagement of Young Professionals in Disaster Risk Reduction” in Cairo. The ‘Thinkshop’ gathered stakeholders from across 5 generations, representing a range of geographic backgrounds from across 4 continents, coming from a range of disciplines including academics, first responders, NGOs, emergency managers, and scientists. Participants gathered to discuss adaptation efforts to increasingly escalating hydrometeorological shocks due to climate change, and to reflect on the implications of the UN Secretary General Guterres initiative to ensure that “every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years”. The workshop was also attended by head of the Egyptian Meteorological Agency, , who iterated his commitment to ensure multi-hazard warning systems for all.

PetaBencana was invited to share our experience working with residents across Indonesia to adapt to extreme weather events, where we highlighted the role of local knowledge in risk reduction, and involving local communities as co-designers of risk reduction programs. Read More

The 7th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) was officially inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo along with UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, President of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid, UN Resident Coordinator for Indonesia Valerie Julliand, and the special representative of the UN for disaster risk reduction, as well as several Indonesian officials on May 25, 2022. Organized in a hybrid format, the Global Platform had over 6300 participants from a total of 185 countries.

During his opening remarks, President Joko Widodo encouraged the international community to enhance collaborative cooperation in disaster risk management, emphasizing the need for strengthened risk reduction culture and education, investment in science and technology, climate and disaster resilient infrastructure, and the implementation of global commitments. 

As the main multi-stakeholder global forum to assess and discuss progress, share knowledge, and identify gaps in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 (a global, non-binding agreement, adopted in 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on DRR in Sendai, Japan) the GPDRR provides a platform for reflection, evaluation, and commitment to more ambitious efforts for inclusive disaster risk reduction, based on the experience of practitioners and policymakers, as well as recent reports such as the IPCC Sixth Assessment report.
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Heavy rainfall from February 27 to February 28th inundated almost the entire city of Medan, with some areas experiencing flood waters up to 2 meters high.

According to first-hand reports submitted to PetaBencana.id, the extreme weather has blocked major thoroughfares as embankments burst under the increasing intensity of rainfall. Residents have been sharing real-time updates through the PetaBencana.id platform to help keep each other informed, and support response efforts.

According to the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) extreme rainfall is expected to continue in the coming weeks across several areas in Indonesia, including Sumatra and Java.

We remind residents to check https://petabencana.id for up-to-date information. Residents can also submit real-time flood reports by tweeting #banjir @petabencana, sending a Facebook message to @petabencana.id, or sending a Telegram message to @bencanabot. When we share what we see, everyone can stay informed, avoid danger, and reduce risk together! Read More

Yayasan Peta Bencana, supported by USAID BHA and endorsed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), conducted a nationwide disaster preparedness event with barangay community leaders from all over the Philippines!

Attended by more than a thousandbarangay community leaders, participants simulated real-time disaster information sharing via the MapaKalamidad.ph platform. MapaKalamidad.ph is a free and open-source platform that provides real-time disaster information and transparent communication between residents and government agencies, to reduce risk and increase emergency response times during the sudden onset of disasters. The online platform harnesses the use of social media to crowdsource disaster information from residents on the ground, who often have the most up-to-date information, and displays this information on a live web-based map.

An average of 20 typhoons per year enter the Philippine area of responsibility. In 2021, the country was struck by a total of 22 storms, 9 typhoons, and 5 super typhoons. The most recent one, Typhoon Odette, strengthened from category 1 to 5 in just one day making it difficult, if not impossible, for people to prepare. As the rapid intensification of storms becomes more common due to climate change, real-time information is increasingly becoming the most important resource to understand and respond to rapidly changing situations. 
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Disaster Map Foundation (Yayasan Peta Bencana), supported by USAID BHA and endorsed by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), officially launched MapaKalamidad.ph, a free and open-source real-time flood mapping platform for the Philippines. 

In 2021, the Philippines was struck by a total of 22 storms, nine typhoons, and five super typhoons. The most recent, Typhoon Odette, strengthened from a Category 1 to 5 typhoon in just one day making it difficult for people to prepare for the arrival of the storm or to evacuate. As the rapid intensification of storms becomes more common due to climate change, real-time information is increasingly becoming the most important resource to understand and respond to rapidly changing situations.

MapaKalamidad.ph is a free and open-source platform that provides real-time disaster information and transparent communication between residents and government agencies, in order to reduce risk and increase emergency response times during the sudden onset of disasters. The online platform harnesses the use of social media to crowdsource disaster information from residents on the ground, who often have the most up-to-date information, and displays this information on a live web-based map. 
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In 2020, M+ Museum of visual culture in Hong Kong acquired CogniCity OSS for their permanent collection of 21st century urban design in Asia; the source code remains open and in use, but they also commissioned Yayasan Peta Bencana to make a video to tell the story of the project for their visitors. 

The Same River, Twice is a two channel film installation that narrates the story of Jakarta as a megacity struggling to adapt to climate change during the tropical monsoon season, and how an integrated approach to software design is harnessing collective resident epistemologies to mitigate urban risk. The film made its first public preview at the opening of the museum on November 12^th, 2021 and is available to view in person as part of their permanent collection.

Yayasan Peta Bencana, supported by USAID BHA and endorsed by Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), officially launched a regional disaster risk reduction youth program for Indonesia and the Philippines. As more frequently occurring extreme weather events continue to strike both countries, young leaders expressed their solidarity and commitment to reducing risk with the hashtags #Youth4GotongRoyong and #Youth4Bayanihan. The launch was opened by Dr. Raditya Jati, Deputy of Systems and Strategy of BNPB, Usec Ricardo B. Jalad, Executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and administrator of the OCD, and Mr. Harlan Hale, Regional Advisor of USAID BHA, who welcomed hundreds of youth and over 60 community organizations attending the online opening. 

Led by the conviction that mitigating disaster risk must involve all residents, the youth ambassador program commits to amplifying the agency of young people all across the region so that they can equally participate in disaster recovery efforts and make informed and safe decisions for themselves and their communities during emergencies. Half of the world’s population are youth under the age of 30, and they are often the first and most affected when weather related disasters strike. According to the 2020 World Disasters Report, Indonesia and the Philippines are among the most vulnerable to weather related disasters and it is inevitable that the countries will continue to experience an increase in extreme weather. To cope with the increasing frequency and severity of weather-related events, experts emphasize the necessity to focus efforts on adaptation; minimizing exposure and vulnerability by increasing capacities forresidents to respond to shocks, which must necessarily include the most vulnerable groups. 
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As part of AHA Center’s 2021 Humanitarian and Emergency Logistics Innovation Expo (HELIX), Yayasan Peta Bencana organized the first public gathering of contributors to CogniCity OSS as part of a session titled “Urban Collective Intelligence: From Crowd Sourcing to Crowd logistics”. Bringing together experts with a diverse set of backgrounds and experience in utilizing and contributing to CogniCity OSS, the public session explored how the design and development of open source systems can harness the power of crowdsourcing to aid disaster and humanitarian response and recovery.

Speakers included Etienne Turpin, co-founder of CogniCity OSS; Ferth Manasay, Project Manager of MapaKalamidad.ph in the Philippines; Daisy Tam, Founder of Breadline; Deepthi Chand Alagandula, Director and Co-Founder at CivicDataLab in India; Nguyen Minh-Tam, Former Project Manager at Smart Saigon; and Nashin Mahtani, director of Yayasan Peta Bencana.

Highlighting the relationship between software and social behaviours, the session discussed how a multi-sectoral design methodology is helping to shape the development of softwares for next generation disaster risk management and logistic coordination. The session expanded on the significance of open source networks as critical knowledge sharing infrastructures for the ASEAN context; allowing experts from different backgrounds and geographies to share, exchange, and create ideas for the future of humanitarian management. Read More

Tropical Cyclone Seroja has triggered flooding, landslides, and extreme winds in East Nusa Tenggara, causing severe damage across the region since April 4th, 2021. 

According to first-hand reports submitted to PetaBencana.id, the extreme weather has collapsed bridges, washed away homes, and caused power outages. Residents have been sharing real-time updates through the PetaBencana.id platform to help keep each other informed, and support response efforts.

According to Raditya Jati, Head of Data, Information and Communications at the National Emergency Management Agency of Indonesia (BNPB), “Extreme weather due to tropical cyclone Seroja still has the potential to occur in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region in the next few days.” 

We remind residents to check https://petabencana.id for up-to-date information. Residents in East Nusa Tenggara can also submit real-time flood reports by tweeting #banjir @petabencana, sending a Facebook message to @petabencana.id, or sending a Telegram message to @bencanabot. When we share what we see, everyone can stay informed, avoid danger, and reduce risk together! Read More

On February 20th, #banjir and #JakartaBanjir were the highest trending topics on Twitter Indonesia, as the capital city was inundated for the third major time this year, following particularly heavy rainfall from Friday night (19/2/2021) to Saturday morning (20/02/2021). As Jakarta residents turned to social media to share updates about the flood, they were greeted by “Disaster Bot” – a novel AI-assisted chatbot that monitors social media for posts about disasters and automatically invites users to submit more detailed disaster reports. These crowd-sourced reports are used to map disasters in real-time, on a free and open source website, PetaBencana.id.

As flooding blocked major thoroughfares and toll roads, disrupted commuter lines, and cut off electricity to over 60,000 homes, residents continued to share updates about the flood situation in order to stay alert and make timely decisions about safety and response. Hundreds of residents submitted flood reports to PetaBencana.id, alerting each other about water levels, broken infrastructures and road accessibility. The Jakarta Emergency Management Agency also updated the map with official information about flood affected  areas, and monitored the map to respond to resident needs. PetaBencana.id experienced a 2000% in activity in under 12 hours as residents actively checked the map to understand the flooding situation, avoid flooded areas, and make decisions about safety and response.  Read More

Five consecutive typhoons struck the Philippines in late October and early November. Still recovering from damages brought about by Typhoon Molave (Quinta), Typhoon Goni (Rolly), Typhoon Atsani (Siony), and Typhoon Etau (Tonyo), the rain-drenched eastern and northern portions of the country endured excarbarated impacts from Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses), the fifth major storm to hit the region in just two weeks. 

These typhoons left major roads impassable due to flooding and affected electrical and communication powers. Major dams in the country have reportedly worsened the flooding situations in the downstream areas of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Metro Manila. 

In the midst of the massive flooding situation, which paralyzed major thoroughfares and stranded thousands of Filipino commuters, hashtags #FloodPH and #RescuePH trended on social media, with people calling for help and posting information about the flood situation in their area. MapaKalamidad.ph, a recently launched disaster information sharing platform in the Philippines, is harnessing the active use of social media to support community-led risk reduction. Using AI-assisted chatbots to monitor and respond to social media posts, the platform gathers confirmed crowd-sourced reports from residents to map flooding in real-time. The platform experienced a significant increase in activity during Typhoon Ulysses as residents actively shared real-time situational updates about the flood. The free web-based map was used to support residents and disaster management units identify the areas that needed immediate response and rescue efforts. MapaKalamidad.ph was launched last September 2020 as part of the PhilAWARE Program with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (USAID BHA) in partnership with the Philippine Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), and Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT). Read More

“[PetaBencana.id] is a paradigmatic example of using the Internet to connect groups of people so they can share knowledge. [PetaBencana.id] confirms what we have long understood: expertise rooted in local knowledge and lived experience is widely distributed across society. Social platforms allow us to combine and scale this intelligence to aggregate knowledge, share work and increasingly, to solve problems collaboratively.”

A recent report published by The GovLab (an action research center based at New York University) and UK-based Nesta Foundation, features PetaBencana.id as one of 30 exemplary case studies demonstrating the commendable use of collective intelligence to address public challenges. As part of a larger undertaking of research on collective intelligence, the report argues that collective intelligence can support better and more inclusive public services. The research highlights case studies from around the world using technology to harness ideas and skills from the public, and presents this collaborative methodology as a critical component of addressing our most pressing challenges today. The full research documentation can be accessed at: https://www.thegovlab.org/collective-intelligence.html Read More

MapaKalamidad.ph, a free and open source platform for emergency response and disaster management in the Philippines, was officially launched on September 10th, 2020 during a virtual webinar titled “Digital Bayanihan! Social Media for Humanitarian Response”. The platform uses both, crowd-sourced reporting and government agency validations, to map flood events in real-time.

During the opening remarks, Joseph Curry from the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, said, “While we depend on the government to be the authoritative source on damages and needs, we also recognize that those affected have the most up to date information and have an essential role to play. MapaKalamidad.ph adds a new dimension to data and information collection by empowering citizens to directly report hazards, critical lifelines and damages in their neighbourhoods via social media apps and mobile apps. In the true spirit of bayanihan, MapaKlamidad.ph gives us a tool that everyone can use together in disaster response, potentially connecting every barangay right to the top.” Read More

Two tropical cyclones triggered torrential rainfall across Java, inundating the capital city of Jakarta and its surrounding areas for the fourth major time this year.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the series of floods that have inundated the capital region over the past two months are a result of climate change-driven global warming. Average temperatures in Indonesia peaked in 2019, with Jakarta experiencing an annual temperature rise 1.4 times higher than global trends. The agency recorded 278 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours, categorizing the weather as ‘extreme rain’ with the city receiving one month’s worth of rain in a single day.

As flooding paralyzed traffic on major thoroughfares, disrupted commuter lines for over two consecutive days, inundated the state national hospital, and cut off electricity to over 1,600 substations, residents continued to search for verified information about the flood situation in order to make timely decisions about safety and response.  Amidst a spread of misinformation, the National Emergency Management Agency (BNPB) endorsed PetaBencana.id as the official information sharing platform to collectively mitigate risk.   Read More

To inaugurate the national launch of the PetaBencana.id disaster management platform, Yayasan Peta Bencana and BNPB, supported by PLN and Bank BRI, hosted the first country-wide disaster preparedness event of its kind—the #112Challenge. Over 125 organizations and 3,376 residents across 17 provinces in Indonesia participated in the nation-wide competition, where residents simulated real-time flood reporting and information sharing through PetaBencana.id. 

PetaBencana.id is a free and open source platform that provides real-time disaster information and transparent communication between residents and government agencies, in order to reduce risk and increase emergency response times. The online platform harnesses the use of social media to crowdsource disaster information from residents on-the-ground, who often have the most up-to-date information, and displays this information on a live web-based map. 

During the opening remarks of the official launch, Doni Monardo, Head of BNPB, said: “PetaBencana.id will become a primary channel of interactive crisis communication between the government and residents. By enabling all residents across Indonesia to submit real-time disaster reports through social media, the platform will support faster response and reduce disaster risk.”  Read More

In preparation for the nation-wide launch of PetaBencana.id, @america hosted an interactive session on February 5th: “Banjir, Bots, and Gotong Royong: Strengthening Civic Participation for Climate Adaptation in Indonesia”. 

Opened by Jason Seuc, Deputy Director of the Environment Office of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the session focused on the significance of community-led information sharing during disaster events. 

Harlan Hale, Regional Advisor for the US Agency of International Development Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID OFDA), shared the importance of resident reporting in supporting response efforts by humanitarian and government agencies. Residents on-the-ground often have the most up-to-date information – the knowledge of local communities and the dense network of mobile sensors connected via social media, provides a data source of unprecedented resolution for mitigating urban risk. 

In order to transform the “noise” of social media into actionable information, Nashin Mahtani, director of Yayasan Peta Bencana, shared how the PetaBencana.id platform employs chatbots to engage in AI assisted conversations with residents to confirm flooding.  Read More