Bulaksumur (KU) - Volunteers of Gelanggang Emergency Response (GER) UGM distributed food to hundreds of IDPs at UGM who decided to return to their homes and those who relocated to Maguwoharjo Stadium. Currently, there are about 14 families staying at UGM shelter. "At UGM there are around 1300 IDPs or 300 families. Since the danger zone was trimmed down on Monday, they chose to return to their homes," said GER coordinator, Lara Shati at the PKKH building of UGM on Wednesday (24/11).
Lara Shati explained the relocation of the IDPs from UGM to the stadium is based on a circular from Sleman district government, asking the IDPs to relocate to one of the three main shelters appointed by the government, namely Stadium Maguwoharjo, Youth Centre and GOR Sleman. "The IDPs have asked to stay in either of these 3 shelters," she said.
Lara Shati acknowledged, not all IDPs are willing to be relocated. Some of them chose to return to their homes. "But those whose homes have been destroyed chose to stay here. But the plan is that by Thursday, they would be ready to move," he said.
She added that the IDPs at UGM have been decreasing in number since early this week. Those who would return home or relocate will be given aid from GER volunteers in form of food packages. “Certainly, IDPs can not yet resume their work, so we provide basic food packages for them for the next few days," she said.
GER is a group of volunteers consisting of alumni and students of UGM joining arts, sports, and other student activity units. They have collected aid through the Gelanggang alumni network to help the IDPs since 5 November. "There are 40 volunteers joining GER. We took care of the needs of the IDPs since 5 November. After this (the relocation of IDPs), we would assist during the rehabilitation phase," she explained.
Merapi’s IDPs in the Gelanggang of UGM came from 8 villages, covering Harjobinangun, Umbulharjo, Wukirsari, Sardonoharjo, Umbulmartani, Pakembinangun, Wonokerto, and Candibinangun. The IDPs whose homes had been destroyed can not yet re-occupy the house. They are encouraged to follow the direction of Sleman district government to evacuate to the primary shelters. Some of the IDPs are still reluctant to move. Sukiran (42), for example, claimed that he is still reluctant to move. He and his four family members have not been able to return to their home which is now badly damaged. Sukiran admitted that they are traumatized by the sound of Merapi eruptions and volcanic earthquakes.