Geohazard-Informed Rapid Planning for Disaster Relief Operations: Lessons from Flood Response in Sumatra


Hamzah Maulana
Science & Engineering Dept. CRAST.org



Abstract

Disaster relief operations during flood emergencies are often conducted under conditions of high uncertainty, limited access, and constrained resources. In such contexts, operational decisions regarding prioritization, transportation, and deployment of critical support infrastructure directly affect humanitarian effectiveness and equity. This study examines how satellite-based geohazard assessment can support disaster relief operational planning during the emergency response phase. Using recent flood events in Sumatra as a case study, the analysis draws on satellite imagery to observe flood extent, settlement exposure, access disruption, and housing damage along riverine floodplains. Rather than applying complex predictive or simulation-based models, the study emphasizes how rapid geohazard observation can be translated into operational interpretation to support timely decision-making, including transportation mode selection, prioritization under resource scarcity, and deployment of essential infrastructure such as emergency power supply. The findings indicate that geohazard-informed planning enhances situational awareness and supports more coherent and equitable humanitarian response across multiple intervention domains, including logistics delivery, medical response, psychosocial support, and child-centered relief. A conceptual pathway is presented to illustrate how geohazard assessment informs operational decisions and generates multiplier impacts across disaster relief activities. Beyond its operational relevance, the study highlights the role of evidence-informed learning in strengthening professional practice under uncertainty. The study concludes that integrating geohazard assessment into emergency response practices improves the effectiveness, accountability, and adaptability of humanitarian operations in flood-affected contexts.

Keywords: Geohazard assessment, Disaster relief operations, Satellite imagery, Humanitarian decision-making, Evidence-informed practice, Flood response


Abstak

Operasi  bantuan  kemanusiaan  pada  fase  tanggap  darurat  banjir  umumnya  berlangsung  dalam  kondisi ketidakpastian tinggi, keterbatasan akses, serta sumber daya yang terbatas. Dalam situasi tersebut, keputusan operasional terkait penentuan prioritas, moda transportasi, dan penempatan dukungan infrastruktur sangat memengaruhi  efektivitas  dan  keadilan  respons  kemanusiaan.  Penelitian  ini  mengkaji  bagaimana  penilaian geohazardberbasis citra satelit dapat mendukung perencanaan operasional bantuan bencana pada fase tanggap darurat.  Dengan  menggunakan  kejadian  banjir  di  Sumatra  sebagai  studi  kasus,  analisis  dilakukan  melalui observasi citra satelit untuk mengidentifikasi luasan genangan, keterpaparan permukiman, gangguan akses, serta kerusakan hunian di sepanjang dataran banjir sungai. Alih-alih menerapkan pemodelan prediktif yang kompleks,  penelitian  ini  menekankan  penerjemahan  observasi geohazard secara  cepat  ke  dalam  interpretasi operasional guna mendukung pengambilan keputusan tepat waktu, termasuk pemilihan moda transportasi, penentuan prioritas di tengah keterbatasan sumber daya, serta penempatan infrastruktur pendukung penting seperti  pasokan  listrik  darurat.Hasil  penelitian  menunjukkan  bahwa  perencanaan  berbasis geohazardmeningkatkan kesadaran situasional dan mendukung respons kemanusiaan yang lebih terkoordinasi lintas domain intervensi, meliputi distribusi logistik, respons medis, dukungan psikososial, dan bantuan berfokus anak.  Sebuah  jalur  konseptual  disajikan  untuk  menggambarkan  bagaimana  penilaian geohazardmemandu keputusan operasional dan menghasilkan dampak pengganda dalam operasi bantuan bencana. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa integrasi penilaian geohazard memperkuat efektivitas dan adaptabilitas pengambilan keputusan kemanusiaan dalam kondisi darurat.

Kata  Kunci: Analisis geohazard;  Operasi  bantuan  bencana;  Citra  satelit;  Pengambilan  keputusan dalam  respons kemanusiaan; Praktik berbasis bukti; Respons banjir

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Makalah ini telah terbit pada Jurnal Multidisiplin West Science
Vol. 04, No. 12, Desember 2025, pp. 2605-2615