18 – 21 June 2019 | PALU – Committing to assist local governments as they tackle urban challenges such as disaster management, UCLG ASPAC has invited global city leaders to jointly collaborate in this effort. The call has received positive response from Cités Unies France (CUF) or French United local governments through fund collection to support the local government of Palu City (Indonesia) in their recovery from the earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction disasters that simultaneously occurred in September 2018.
Palu City was struck by an earthquake with magnitude of 7.4 on 28 September 2018. The city is the most affected area in the province as the earthquake triggered tsunami and landslides causing widespread destruction and loss of life (more than 4000 people).
The mission of solidarity was expressed during the visit to Palu, led by UCLG ASPAC President Mayor Tri Rismaharini of Surabaya, accompanied by UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, and participated by Vice President of Loire-Atlantique Department Fanny Salle and Mr. Simone Gioveti, both representing CUF. The visiting delegates extended the global solidarity to Mayor Hidayat of Palu City. Welcoming the delegation with deepest gratitude, Mayor Hidayat shared post-disaster master plan for urban area development as well as the location of permanent housing for disaster victims in Palu.
The meeting agreed to optimise the collected fund to provide not only technical support but also capacity building focusing on resilience and effectiveness of early warning system. The delegation took the opportunity to hear from local people and was enlightened by their courage despite the calamities. During the visit, Mayor Tri Rismaharini of Surabaya also inaugurated a new market and centre of small and medium cooperatives, which was supported by the citizens of Surabaya.
Following this visit, UCLG ASPAC will ensure the fund is well implemented to support the post-disaster plan and reconstruction in the city of Palu. At the same time, UCLG ASPAC will continue its commitment to build the capacity of local governments in disaster management and risk reduction. The upcoming 2019 UCLG ASPAC Council Meeting will further build a momentum to unite cities in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance awareness, strengthen collaboration, as well as leverage the efforts for better management and achievement of Target E of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction by 2020.
