Indonesia using drones for disaster relief
Disaster management agencies in Jakarta, including the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said using drones has "significantly improved" their ability to deal with major events. Drones equipped with thermal detectors are able to spotlight fire spots, while devices can also help locate victims in flash floods, as well as take high-resolution images of disaster zones. The machines are inexpensive to make, with students at Gadjah Mada University assembling one for IDR10m ($770).

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta ● Sat, October 8 2016

The country’s disaster management agencies will be more frequently using unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, in preparing for humanitarian aid, as the technology has significantly improved ways to manage responses to disasters.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo said on Thursday that his agency had benefited from using drones for disaster mitigation.

“In mapping an area [for disaster mitigation], a drone is more cost effective and detailed than a satellite because we can assemble it ourselves. The process is also quicker than using a human-operated helicopter,” he said.

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