UGM sent 27 students who joined the Student Community Service (SCS-CEL) Program for Disaster Care to one of the tsunami-affected areas in Carita District, Pandeglang, Banten, to help residents recover from the disaster.
“UGM SCS-CEL has historically been done throughout Indonesia. In disaster areas, such as Lombok and Palu, we were there. The Sunda Strait Tsunami is a natural call for UGM to serve, with Carita being one of the unit locations,” said UGM Director of Community Service, Prof. Irfan Dwidya, on Wednesday (30/1).
Carita sub-district is one of the areas affected by the massive tsunami, claiming 50 lives and potential economic losses of up to 500 billion.
A month after the Sunda Strait tsunami, this area has indeed received assistance, such as food and other basic necessities. However, residents in this region are still experiencing economic difficulties since the disaster.
Muhammad Andika as the coordinator said that the SCS-CEL activity, which is planned to be held until 25 February, is focused on creating holistic resilience by combining several aspects of life and science that the community has with UGM.
“To help the community, trauma healing will be carried out, for example through coloring activities, providing health and education services, and building certain facilities. In the economic sector, we identify natural and social potentials,” said Andika.
At the beginning of the placement, the program that became the students’ priority was health services at public health centers and making business plans for employees.
“We create a supply chain for products produced by residents. We connect catfish farmers with transportation and traders in the market,” he added.
Andika added, regarding disaster mitigation, the UGM team plotted zone and infrastructure markers on Google Maps and geographic information systems, while also coordinating and planning with the Pandeglang Government.
In line with this, Jaenal as the Head of Sukarame Carita Village revealed that the government actually has technical guidelines such as evacuation routes and zoning of areas categorized as safe or vulnerable.
However, the map is still in the form of a document or signpost so not many residents know it. The affirmation which the UGM SCS-CEL team can make through approaching citizens is expected to increase citizens’ understanding of this information.
“Not many people know (technical guidelines for disaster mitigation). There has been no socialization. So far, if there is a tsunami, just run to the hill. In fact, Carita is located on the coast and is only 50 kilometers away from Anak Krakatau,” said Jaenal.
In addition to working with the local government, students are also supported by KAGAMA Banten, which distributes various basic needs. This team also supports the district government’s temporary shelter program (Huntrap) as well as disaster mitigation programs from BPBD and the Public Works Office.
Through the SCS-CEL programs, Eman Suherman as the Field Supervisor hopes that the dedication of the students can be beneficial for Carita residents. He also encouraged students to listen and embrace citizens to participate in the empowerment process.
“All programs are formulated through the observation process. The students should provide understanding, and we are here to help each other,” concluded Eman.
Source: https://ugm.ac.id/id/berita/17647-ugm-terjunkan-tim-kkn-peduli-bencana-di-pandeglang-banten