YOGYAKARTA-Attention and concern for the IDPs of Mount Merapi eruption not only came from within the country, but also from the international community. On Saturday, 27/11, for example, as many as 9400 masks were submitted by the Government of Japan to the IDPs of Merapi via UGM DERU (Disaster Response Unit).
The symbolic handover of the masks is conducted by the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Kojiro Shiojiri, to the Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D. The Japanese Ambassador was accompanied by Press Attache, Seiko Namba, Chairman of the Jakarta Japan Club (JJC), Norio Yamazaki, and Secretary-General of JJC, Chikara Shimizu. Meanwhile, in the UGM side were seen present, among others, Senior Vice Rector for Education, Research, and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Retno S Sudibyo, M.Sc., Apt., Vice Rector for Alumni and Business Development, Ir. Atyanto Daroko, M. Phil., Ph.D., Director of Student Affairs, Drs. Haryanto, M.Si., Executive Secretary, Drs. Djoko Moerdiyanto, M.A, and Chairman of the DERU team, Slamet Widiyanto, S. Si, M.Sc.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Kojiro Shiojiri said the aid delivery is a form of concern from the Japanese government, community, and companies, especially in Indonesia, following the eruption of Mount Merapi. "This is a form of attention and our deep concern following the disaster of Mount Merapi eruption," said Kojiro in Leader Meeting Room of UGM.
In relation with the disaster that has claimed hundreds of lives, the association of Japanese firms in Jakarta and surrounding areas joining the Jakarta Japan Club (JJC), on Saturday handed over as much as 9400 pieces of mask to the IDPs through UGM. "It is expected that the masks can be used for voluntary activities or distributed to the needy," he added.
Meanwhile, Prof. Sudjarwadi welcomed the provision of such aid. He promised that these masks would be distributed, especially to the IDPs of Mount Merapi staying in various evacuation shelters in Yogyakarta and Central Java. "We gladly accept and welcome the aid that has been distributed through UGM. Later, this form of assistance will soon be distributed to the IDPs in need," said the Rector.
With this assistance, the Rector of UGM also hoped that the cooperation between both parties may continue and increase, especially that UGM has also established quite good and close relations with universities in Japan. "Hopefully, the cooperation could be improved both for educational subject or study (research)," Prof. Sudjarwadi added.
In line with the Rector, Chairman of the DERU team of UGM, Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., also welcomed the assistance from Japan, especially since DERU has run out of mask supplies. "They are very useful since DERU's supplies of mask by chance are running out. We will immediately distribute them to the IDPs, "said Slamet.