Dozens of UGM young doctors who are members of UGM Acceleration Unit of Strategic Plan Achievement (UP2R) together with workshop participants of Optimal Solution of the Natural Resources Utilization toward Independent and Welfare Society, Study Case of Merapi on Saturday (27/11) visited several locations after Mount Merapi eruptions. They visited UGM DERU (Disaster Response Unit) and evacuation shelter at the Youth Center in Sleman regency. They also gave away food packages, milk, and goods for women. The training that ended on Saturday (27/11) has started since 24 November 2010. Participants came from various backgrounds, such as students, volunteers, NGOs, and government offices.
UP2R Coordinator, Drs. Muhammad Edhie Purnawan, MA, Ph.D., said the visit was aimed, among others, to learn IDP management and compare the spirit of caring of IDPs at UGM and among the wider society. Trainees are expected to learn more things on the field and give their contribution. "Not only do we give theoretical knowledge, but we also take them to the place that is directly related to the management of Merapi survivors. Of course, we hope that they will be more capable in disaster management as well as more attentive to others," Edhie explained on the sidelines of the visit.
During the visit to DERU UGM, the participants were received by its Chairman, Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc. To the participants, Slamet said that DERU involvement in the management of Merapi disaster can not be separated from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). "DERU is very much involved with BNPB, ranging from initial treatment up to the later stages of rehabilitation and reconstruction. It is not only for the Merapi case, but also other national disasters, "said Slamet.
Although the Merapi eruption has gradually reduced and the government reduced the vulnerable zone, humanitarian aid distribution is still ongoing through DERU. IDPs will receive the aid later. For example, the aid of about 9400 pieces of mask from the Japanese Embassy arrived on Saturday. "The aid is still coming. Today (Saturday) we also received aid of 9400 pieces of mask from the Japanese Embassy," said Slamet. He conveyed that DERU involvement in disaster management is not confined to the logistics, but also disaster management, infrastructure, education, mitigation, up to rehabilitation and reconstruction. The number of volunteers so far reached up to 300-400 people.
Meanwhile, at the Youth Center, IDP Mental Health Coordinator, Diana Setyowati, said the IDPs mostly came from evacuation shelters in the JEC and Maguwoharjo Stadium, Glagaharjo, Pangukrejo, Tanen, Hargobinangun, and Kopeng areas. She hoped that people will no longer give aid in the form of logistics, but things that can awaken the people from their adversity through their expertise that they already had. "About the logistics, I think it’s very sufficient. So, if it is possible, the aid had better come in the form that can re-energize their spirit and economies from the downturn," said Diana.
The IDPs, according to Diana, said that they are ready to develop some program or enterprises they previously owned. She cited the broiler farm business, the manufacture of mushrooms chips, slondok salak snack, or ampyang jadah tempe (traditional snack) as examples.
Different places, different circumstances. This also applies to the IDPs. While the IDPs in the Youth Center are in need of boost to be able to rise from adversity, IDPs in Prambanan, Central Java, gradually began to leave the shelter.
Ummi Masruroh, volunteer from the Handycap International, said there are 173 IDPs who stay in several places, namely Pendopo Prambanan District, NIVO Agency, Pepabri, and TK Pertiwi. The activities there are mostly the activities for children and adolescents, such as games and training. "IDPs are still staying at several locations, such as Sleman, Magelang and Klaten, although the number has decreased compared to that in previous weeks," said Ummi who was accompanied by Suparno, one of the IDPs from Bawukan, Klaten.
This field trips training received a handful of appreciation from the participants. Julhaidir, students of Master of Engineering System from Riau, and Laili, a graduate student from Bojonegoro, appreciated that this field visit further increased their knowledge about disaster management and actual practice in the field. They hoped the next training will focus more on the applications that really relate to the needs in the field. "It is very useful and it adds insight that so far we have only obtained in theories. The presentation of theory should be reduced in future training and focus more on the application in the field," Laili expressed her hope.