Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has distributed 10 water tankers to help about 500 residents of Kamal Hamlet, Wunung Village, Wonosari District, Gunungkidul Regency, cope with drought during the prolonged dry season. The aid, delivered on Saturday (Oct. 24), was intended for around 150 households with limited access to clean water because local water sources were scarce. The Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA UGM), carried out the initiative as part of the university’s community service program.
Limited water sources make it challenging for residents in drought-affected areas to meet daily needs. In these circumstances, clean water supplies directly support local communities. By distributing 10 water tankers, the FMIPA UGM community service team sought to help Kamal residents meet their needs as they cope with the drought.
Professor Tutik Dwi Wahyuningsih, who represented the team, said the initiative stemmed from the academic community’s concern for the challenges faced by local residents. She emphasized that community service should take the form of concrete actions that address people’s needs.
“We hope this clean water assistance can directly ease the daily burden on hundreds of Kamal Hamlet residents affected by the drought,” Tutik said on Tuesday (Oct. 27).
Dr. Yehezkiel Steven K and Dr. Sugeng Triono also represented the team at the symbolic handover. The distribution reflects the academic community’s involvement in addressing the basic needs of communities affected by the prolonged dry season in Gunungkidul.
Through this initiative, the FMIPA UGM Organic Chemistry Laboratory carried out community service by providing direct support to residents in need of clean water. The assistance is expected to help ease residents’ daily challenges while local water sources remain limited.
This effort reflects higher education institutions’ role in connecting academic concern with the challenges communities face.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Zabrina Kumara
Photo: Robby Noor Cahyono