National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists

1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and spanning more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago experiences an extraordinary frequency of natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and landslides affecting millions of people and causing billions of dollars in economic losses each year. North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Central Sulawesi represent some of the highest-risk disaster zones in the country, sitting atop active fault lines, near active volcanoes, and along coastlines vulnerable to tsunamis and storm surge. North Sumatra and West Sumatra were hit by extreme weather at the end of 2025 that caused massive landslide and took the lives of hundreds of locals. Central Sulawesi was devastated by the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 4,000 people.

Despite this persistent threat environment, most journalists working in these regions lack formal training in the specialized skills required to cover disasters safely and effectively, including safety protocols for hazardous environments, crisis communication best practices, fact-checking and digital verification tools, coordination with emergency officials, and public safety information delivery. When disasters strike and journalists are unprepared, inaccurate reporting can impede evacuation and undermine public trust in emergency systems. The training will be conducted through workshops, field exercises, mentorship, and simulated disaster scenarios. By strengthening the capacity of local journalists to report accurately and responsibly during crises, this initiative promotes a free, independent, and professional press and supports resilient, well-informed communities that are better equipped to withstand and recover from disasters, advancing the U.S. foreign policy goal of strengthening regional disaster response and security cooperation in the...