A village in East Lombok lies in the shadow of Mount Rinjani. The scenery is extraordinarily beautiful, yet the area also carries very real disaster risks—namely earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It is within this landscape that an Islamic boarding school (pesantren) stands, educating dozens of students every day.
For years, teaching and learning activities continued as usual. However, awareness of the region’s vulnerable geographical position sparked an important question: “What if a disaster strikes while the students are studying or reciting?” This became the turning point that triggered change at the pesantren.
Because the safety of the students is the highest priority, the school took a bold step that had never before been attempted by other pesantren in the area. The management decided to adopt the concept of Disaster-Safe Education Units (SPAB).
This initiative was carried out with guidance and support. The process of developing a contingency plan emerged from close collaboration, facilitated by experts in humanitarian work and disaster management. Cooperation among Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and the Village Disaster Preparedness Team (TSBD) was implemented effectively.
In addition, students, male teachers (ustadz), and female teachers (ustadzah) actively participated in SPAB training. Both teachers and students received comprehensive knowledge, including disaster risk management, identification of potential hazards in their surroundings, and the establishment of a disaster preparedness team structure within the pesantren.
After gaining insights from the training sessions, teachers and students also took part in disaster simulations. As soon as the warning siren sounded, everyone in the pesantren immediately put their knowledge into practice. The teachers swiftly directed students towards designated assembly points, while the students calmly carried out independent evacuation to safe gathering areas.
This hands-on experience formed the basis for drafting the pesantren’s preparedness document. Each scenario outlined in the document was carefully aligned with real conditions on the ground.
The result of the training, simulations, and commitment from all parties was the development of a formal and measurable SPAB Contingency Plan (Renkon SPAB). This document is not merely a formality—it is a living guide. It includes:
Independent evacuation procedures
Defined roles within the pesantren disaster preparedness team
Emergency logistics management
Inclusive post-disaster trauma recovery for the pesantren community
All of this ensures that every child and adult within the pesantren is prepared, safe, and protected.
This achievement marks a new milestone: the pesantren has become the first religious education institution in East Lombok Regency to have a contingency plan that meets SPAB standards. Equally important, a culture of preparedness has taken root among both teachers and students. Students now know exactly where to go and how to protect themselves within seconds—without panic. The involvement of the Village Disaster Preparedness Team has also integrated the pesantren’s system directly with village-level disaster management mechanisms.
This success not only provides a sense of security but also serves as inspiration for the wider community, breaking the stigma that pesantren are difficult to reach with modern emergency preparedness programmes.
This pesantren has proven that faith and knowledge can go hand in hand with readiness to face disaster risks. What began as a small step on the slopes of Mount Rinjani is now ready to become a blueprint for thousands of other pesantren across Lombok Island.
Author: Nurpita Friska Sagala (Programme coordinator for Lombok Area Programme)
Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)