The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), together with Warga Siaga, will soon launch Warga Siaga E-CBAT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered digital platform designed to strengthen the capacity of Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Volunteers (SIBAT) in building safer, more resilient, and disaster-ready villages.
The initial rollout is scheduled for early July 2026, engaging approximately 100–150 SIBAT volunteers across seven pilot villages in Sukabumi, West Java. This pilot marks an important milestone in the digital transformation of community-led disaster preparedness, developed through close collaboration between PMI, SIBAT volunteers, and disaster risk management experts.
Designed with Communities, Not Just for Communities
Unlike conventional disaster management applications, Warga Siaga E-CBAT has been developed using a Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach, ensuring that the platform reflects the real-world needs and experiences of frontline responders.
The co-design process involved a broad range of stakeholders, including the Indonesian Red Cross National Headquarters, disaster risk reduction practitioners, SIBAT facilitators, the Indonesian Red Cross Sukabumi City Chapter, and community volunteers who work directly with vulnerable communities every day.
By placing end users at the center of the design process, the platform serves as an intelligent digital assistant that supports volunteers in planning, implementing, and monitoring disaster preparedness activities more effectively.
“This platform was born from the experiences of volunteers working on the frontlines. Our goal is not to replace people with technology, but to strengthen the capacity of SIBAT volunteers so they can better support communities in preparing for disaster risks.”
— Alfan Kasdar, Director Yayasan Saka Warga Indonesia
Built Together with PMI and SIBAT Volunteers
Development of the platform began in January 2026, encompassing user research, AI architecture design, disaster knowledge curation, village data collection, and multiple rounds of field testing with volunteers.
All knowledge used to generate AI recommendations has been carefully reviewed, curated, and validated by the Indonesian Red Cross, ensuring that every recommendation aligns with nationally recognized disaster preparedness principles and humanitarian standards.
Rather than relying on generic datasets, the platform utilizes data collected directly by SIBAT volunteers through the Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (EVCA) process.
This localized approach enables the AI to generate context-specific recommendations based on each village’s unique hazard profile, vulnerabilities, capacities, and local conditions.
Supporting Volunteers from Planning to Action
Warga Siaga E-CBAT offers an integrated suite of tools to assist SIBAT volunteers throughout the preparedness cycle.
Key features include:
- Village risk and capacity analysis
- AI-assisted preparedness action planning
- Automated task management and activity reminders
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) development
- Scenario-based disaster preparedness guidance
- Progress tracking and implementation monitoring
Powered by AI and grounded in verified disaster knowledge and locally collected data, the platform enables volunteers to make informed decisions while reducing the administrative burden of preparedness planning.
To encourage sustained community engagement, the platform also incorporates a gamification system, awarding points to both volunteers and villages in recognition of active participation in disaster risk reduction activities.
This approach is intended to maintain volunteer motivation beyond emergency response by promoting continuous learning, preparedness education, simulation exercises, and community resilience-building throughout the year.
Co-Designed and Field-Tested with Volunteers
Prior to its official launch, the platform underwent two rounds of participatory co-design and user testing involving SIBAT representatives from all seven pilot villages.
Volunteer feedback informed improvements across multiple aspects of the platform, including user interface design, usability, workflow simplification, preparedness SOP generation, and the volunteer recognition system.
This iterative development process ensures that the platform remains practical, accessible, and responsive to the operational realities faced by community volunteers.
The platform has already received positive feedback from volunteers involved in the pilot implementation.
“E-CBAT is more than just a learning platform—it is a practical companion for SIBAT volunteers. I was directly involved in the co-design process, where I provided input and feedback to the development team. This made me feel that the application was truly built together in a participatory way. It helps me apply what I have learned in real community preparedness activities. I can easily access standard operating procedures (SOPs), prepare for simulation exercises, identify disaster risks in my village, and respond to community questions with greater confidence. Having this guidance readily available whenever I need it has strengthened both my knowledge and my ability to support disaster preparedness efforts in my community.”
— Putri Hanifa Awalia, Head of SIBAT, Tegallega Village
Continuous Support for Sustainable Adoption
Following the launch, PMI and the Warga Siaga team will conduct Weekly Activation Sessions to provide ongoing technical assistance and mentoring for platform users.
These sessions aim to ensure that the platform is not merely downloaded, but actively integrated into routine preparedness activities carried out by SIBAT volunteers.
The weekly engagement will also create opportunities for peer learning across villages while providing a structured mechanism for continuous monitoring, user feedback, and product improvement.
Advancing Community Resilience Across Indonesia
PMI and Warga Siaga envision the Sukabumi pilot as a scalable model for technology-enabled, community-led disaster preparedness that can be replicated across disaster-prone regions of Indonesia.
By combining artificial intelligence, locally validated disaster knowledge, and the practical experience of frontline volunteers, Warga Siaga E-CBAT seeks to strengthen a culture of preparedness while empowering communities to anticipate, reduce, and manage disaster risks before emergencies occur.
Guided by the vision “Resilient Villages Begin with Preparedness,” the platform represents a collaborative effort between PMI, SIBAT volunteers, and local communities to build resilience before disasters strike.
Preparedness is not simply about responding to emergencies—it is about enabling communities to learn together, plan ahead, and take collective action to protect lives, reduce disaster risk, and support sustainable development.
Through this initiative, Warga Siaga contributes to strengthening disaster preparedness at the local and national levels, while also supporting broader global efforts to enhance disaster risk reduction and resilience. It aspires to build sustainable, climate-responsive communities and foster inclusive partnerships through locally led action and responsible innovation.