Jakarta Vice Governor Rano Karno urged the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to develop comprehensive disaster preparedness programs during this year's Annual Working Meeting.

Rano noted that disasters are unpredictable events; therefore, he hopes the Jakarta Red Cross will prioritize training highly skilled personnel to respond when a crisis strikes.

"This meeting is about drafting a work plan. While a work plan is based on data, disasters are unpredictable—that is why we must always be ready to face them," he said during his opening remarks at the Jakarta PMI Working Meeting on Wednesday (1/28), held at the Muhammadiyah Building in Central Jakarta.

As a city with a population of 11 million, Jakarta’s future development as a megacity agglomeration necessitates enhanced disaster management preparedness.

"I hope this working session will yield and prepare the most effective work programs," he stated.

Jakarta PMI Chairman, Becky Mardani explained that this is the first working meeting held by the newly appointed board. The event's theme is 'Accelerating the Digitalization and Integration of Red Cross Services'.

"Through this central theme, we expect to enhance our services and better serve the people of Jakarta in the future," he added.