Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has strengthened its efforts to accelerate responses to hydrometeorological disasters in Sumatra by establishing seven interdisciplinary working groups. This initiative is designed to comprehensively address disaster management needs, from emergency response to long-term recovery. All activities are consolidated to ensure they are grounded in data, scientific analysis, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, emphasized that universities play a crucial role in ensuring that scientific knowledge contributes meaningfully to disaster-related decision-making.
“We have established an Emergency Response Unit with seven interdisciplinary working groups so that science helps ensure accurate decision-making, accelerates recovery, and provides health and social support for survivors,” she said on Tuesday (Dec. 23) at the Balairung.
Working Group 1 focuses on emergency response, with primary attention given to the academic community and residents affected by the disaster. The team conducts field data collection to ensure basic needs are met from the earliest stages of the disaster.
Assistance is directed toward logistics provision, temporary shelter support, and further assessments for vulnerable groups. These measures are designed so that protection can be activated immediately without waiting for subsequent phases.
“We are preparing food assistance, housing support, and follow-up assessments so that protection for affected residents can begin right away,” said UGM Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko.
The acceleration of on-site response is reinforced through Working Group 2, which develops a Basic Disaster Information Geoportal. The geoportal contains maps of disaster impacts, evacuation routes, shelter locations, and priority areas for aid distribution.
Minimum data standards and quality control mechanisms are in place to ensure the consistency and accuracy of information. This single-entry system is intended to prevent data duplication across institutions.
Professor Djati Mardiatno, a Geography lecturer at UGM, emphasized that open access to data will speed up decision-making in disaster response efforts.
“We designed the geoportal so that emergency response maps can be jointly accessed and used quickly and accurately,” he explained.
Strengthening the scientific foundation of disaster management is the focus of Working Group 3 through integrated disaster studies. The team assesses disasters as being influenced by interactions between extreme rainfall, environmental degradation, and human activities.
A multi-hazard approach is developed so that risk maps remain adaptive and relevant to field dynamics. These studies are expected to serve as references for early warning systems and development planning.
The team representative, Dr. Sigit Heru Murti Budi Santosa, stated that data integration is key to stronger mitigation efforts.
“We promote adaptive risk maps that integrate natural dynamics and human activities as the basis for sustainable mitigation,” Dr. Santosa said.
From a policy perspective, Working Group 4 is tasked with mapping Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and disaster mitigation regulations applicable to conditions in Sumatra. The team coordinates with related ministries and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to strengthen ecosystem-based approaches.
Policy synchronization with climate change challenges is a major concern. The study results are directed toward accelerating policy implementation at the regional level.
Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti, representing the team, emphasized the importance of a paradigm shift in disaster management.
“Disaster management needs to be strengthened through an ecosystem-based approach supported by aligned data, capacity, and policies,” she stated.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts fall under the scope of Working Group 5, guided by the principle of building back safer and more sustainably. Disaster survivors are positioned as key actors in the recovery of housing and the environment. The use of local materials is encouraged to ensure environmental friendliness and ease of replication by communities.
Dr. Ashar Saputra, as head of the team, explained that his group is preparing concepts for temporary housing (huntara) to address the need for more decent living spaces during the transition period.
The temporary housing is designed on a family-based model so that survivors can return to a more humane daily rhythm compared to living in emergency tents.
Construction technology is kept as simple as possible, allowing the housing to be built collectively using locally available wood materials. The design also allows the structures to be relocated once permanent housing sites are determined, without creating additional environmental burdens.
“We design transitional housing to be simple so it can be built by survivors themselves and relocated once a safe location has been established,” Dr. Saputra explained.
As part of early recovery efforts, Working Group 6 has been deploying medical teams to affected areas weekly. The team helps reactivate hospital services that had collapsed and supports community health centers in impacted regions.
According to the team leader, Dr. Sudadi, treatment of skin diseases and diarrhea has become a priority due to sanitation and water quality issues. In addition, support for clean water infrastructure is being prepared for health facilities and residents. Alongside the gradual expansion of health services,
“We deploy complete teams and reactivate health services so that the community’s basic needs can be met as soon as possible,” Dr. Sudadi said.
Mental health and psychosocial support are also an essential part of disaster response. Working Group 6 emphasizes that survivors’ emotional reactions are normal responses to extreme situations.
A Mental Health and Psychosocial Support approach is implemented through volunteer training and cross-organizational coordination. The focus is placed on restoring the daily lives of affected children and families.
The Head of the Psychosocial Team, Dr. Diana Setiyawati, stressed the importance of an integrated approach.
“Mental health must be addressed in an integrated manner so that social and economic recovery can proceed hand in hand,” Dr. Setiyawati said.
Meanwhile, Working Group 7 plays a role in public communication and policy advocacy. The team ensures that research findings and fieldwork are connected to national decision-making processes.
Coordination is carried out with central and regional governments as well as other stakeholder networks. UGM also promotes long-term solidarity through strengthening young generations in affected areas.
Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol UGM) Dr. Wawan Mas’udi emphasized the importance of collaborative networks in advancing impactful public policy and communication.
“We strive to ensure that UGM’s academic contributions are integrated into policy-making and national solidarity efforts on a sustainable basis,” he stated.
During a question-and-answer session with the media, attention was drawn to UGM’s plan to open access opportunities for prospective students from families affected by disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Rector Ova Emilia explained that the scheme is still under development and will be tailored to regional needs. In addition, UGM is opening opportunities for inter-university collaboration and funding support from various parties. This initiative aims to build long-term resilience in affected regions through education.
“We are preparing an affirmative education framework tailored to local government needs, involving university networks, and opening avenues for funding support so that young people in affected areas can recover and become empowered,” Professor Emilia concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Salma
Photographer: Firsto Adi