After sending several students, volunteers, and healthcare teams to aid in the emergency response of Lombok earthquake since the first day, Universitas Gadjah Mada is sending more students for community service program and disaster response volunteers to Lombok on Monday (8/27). A total of 30 students and 19 volunteers are positioned to North Lombok, East Lombok, and West Nusa Tenggara for a month.
Vice Rector for Research and Community Service, drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D., in her briefing speech to students at University Club UGM expected them to sincerely help the disaster-affected communities. “Stay healthy, stay strong, and take care of our environment,” said Ika.
In her opinion, students can learn from their experience in assisting the post-earthquake recovery as a contribution to the society. “This can be useful for students and Lombok needs your presence.”
After being hit by the earthquake, the people of Lombok are currently in the disaster recovery process. While many houses and school buildings are damaged, there is also a lack of clean water supply. For that reason, Ika hoped students would also join the previously dispatched UGM team that involved in the healthcare team, reconstruction team from Public Works and People’s Housing Ministry, and the disaster care action of Kagama Care.
Head of Sub-Directorate for Community Services responsible for Disaster Response Unit UGM, Nanung Agus Fitriyanto, Ph.D., said students and volunteers are sent to Gumantar Village, Kayangan, West Lombok. He opined that the village was far from the city center and quite isolated. “We are looking for a remote location and far from the city center.”
UGM Student Community Service Program Expert Team, Dr. Djarot Heru Santosa, M.Hum, explained that since the beginning students have been helping the earthquake victims, starting from the management of camps and community health. Incidentally, UGM students were taking the Community Service program when the earthquake occurred. “They have returned to Yogyakarta, so UGM sends more students and volunteer teams.”
Field Supervisor Lecturer of Lombok Disaster Response Community Service Program, Ahmad Agus Setiawan, Ph.D., stated his team is currently preparing a construction design for temporary housing near the location of KKN activities. “In two weeks we are building 50 housing units,” he said.
He explained the construction is assisted by 60 students of UGM Faculty of Engineering. The temporary housing is a model for the government to design temporary and permanent housing in the location of Lombok earthquake.