Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) works with 100 private/state universities in Yogyakarta and Central Java to assist survivors of Mt. Merapi eruptions to immediately rise from adversity. A focus of coordination between universities is to provide comprehensive recommendations related to rehabilitation and reconstruction phase after the emergency phase ended. "UGM will cooperate side by side with all its partners. Together we are working and increasingly improving the quality of the program, build a better life around Merapi once again," said the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., in the workshop on the handling of Merapi eruptions at UGM Senate Hall on Saturday (20/11).
Some recommendations from various universities are exerted to be able to be immediately generated through a revolving series of workshops. Among other things, analysis of the area condition through the joint workshop with the regencies of Sleman, Klaten, Boyolali, Magelang, and Yogyakarta and Solo municipalities. One important focus of the discussion is the framework of Merapi residential spatial system and coordination plan to run the program measurably.
"It is scheduled that by the end of December 2010, policy recommendations and tasks for each sector are ready that could be immediately implemented. UGM is ready to provide technical assistance," he said.
Present in the Merapi disaster management workshop were a number of university leaders such as Rector of the State University of Yogyakarta (UNY) Prof. Rohmad Wahab, Rector of Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (UMY) Ir. H. M. Dasron Hamid, M.Sc., Rector of ISI Yogyakarta. Prof. Drs. Soeprapto Soedjono, M.E.A, Ph. D, and a number of professors from various disciplines.
Rohmad Wahab stated the main thing in the rebuilding of lives on the slopes of Merapi is to seek a way so the residents could go back to their activities soon, as well as to raise awareness related to natural risks. The big eruption is not much understood by the people, therefore, education is key for the success of the rehabilitation and reconstruction programs. "I really felt the risk of heat clouds that can create many casualties. Residents that should be relocated should have the same understanding of volcano-related hazards," said Rohmad.
"Nature is useful for life, health, and many other things. Therefore, let us keep and maintain the environment, at least this can be started from planting trees from now on," said Sjambjah in Javanese language that was translated into Indonesian by the Rector of UGM.
After planting several species of trees in the Wisdom park, the opening of WISDOM continued with the release of hundreds of white pigeons by the UGM Rector, representatives of universities and private institutions and government. At the end of the event, invited guests were entertained with the Dayakan Borobudur dance.
As reported earlier, later in this conference, participants will also visit several villages under the Merapi Post-Eruption Social Program: Pangukrejo, Gondang, Petung and Pagerjurang. This program aims to provide opportunities for participants to understand the Spirit of Merapi, which became the roots of local knowledge that have already existed in communities around Merapi for centuries. The visit is to show the participants on how local knowledge serves as a natural resource to maintain the mountain and the surrounding population.
He acknowledged that the current Merapi disaster does not only traumatize the IDPs, but also causes worries to the parents of students who are studying in Yogyakarta. "Until now, many of our students from outside of Yogyakarta have not returned to campus, because there is no certainty about the Merapi,” he explained.
Soeprapto conveyed, in the near future, he will make tens of thousands of leaflets in Javanese language that will be distributed to the IDPs to inform them the current condition of Merapi.
Previously, UGM also carried out the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with TV One television station on Cooperation in Merapi Post-Disaster Rehabilitation. The MoU was signed by the Rector of UGM and Chairman of One for the Country Foundation from TV One, Nurjaman Mochtar.