Myanmar Delegation Visits Palu for Knowledge Exchange on Post-Disaster Recovery

PALU, Indonesia (Feb. 25, 2026) – Delegations from Myanmar visited Palu on Wednesday to exchange knowledge on post-disaster recovery, in a program facilitated by the World Bank aimed at strengthening regional cooperation on disaster resilience.

The delegation was received at Palu Mayor’s Office by Rahmad Mustafa, Acting Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development, representing the Mayor of Palu, along with senior city officials.

The visit focused on sharing experiences in disaster response, rehabilitation and long-term reconstruction. Both sides discussed strategies to strengthen institutional capacity and community resilience in disaster-prone areas.

In his remarks, Rahmad welcomed the delegation and highlighted similarities between Myanmar and Palu in terms of geological disaster risks.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Palu, we warmly welcome you. We share similar challenges in facing disaster risks, and we value this opportunity to learn from one another,” he said.

Palu was struck by a devastating earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction in 2018, which caused widespread damage and loss of life. Since then, the city has implemented rehabilitation and reconstruction programs aimed at building back safer and stronger.

City officials outlined efforts including the construction of earthquake-resistant bridges, hospitals and schools, the development of geologically safer permanent housing, and the enforcement of risk-based spatial planning policies that restrict new development in high-risk zones.

Rahmad said Palu is working to reposition itself not merely as a disaster-affected city, but as a learning hub for resilient and sustainable reconstruction practices.

Discussions during the visit covered permanent housing development, restoration of critical infrastructure and community-based resilience initiatives supported through multi-sector collaboration.

The meeting was conducted in a warm and constructive spirit, reflecting a shared commitment to mutual learning between two regions that have both faced major disasters.

Palu officials expressed hope that the exchange would pave the way for closer and sustained cooperation in disaster risk management across Southeast Asia.