YOGYAKARTA – UGM’s Disaster Response Unit (DERU) and the association of mothers who are members of Tetes Embun for Merapi organisation delivered 141 packages of cooking utensils and 52 packages of batik clothes to 261 households who live in temporary shelters in Kuwang Hamlet, Argomulyo Village, Cangkringan Sub-District, Sleman, Saturday (30/4). The delivery of aid was symbolically conducted by representatives of the mothers, Ny. Koento Wibisono and Ana Budiono Sri Handoko, to the representatives witnessed by the Chairman of DERU, Slamet Widiyanto, S.Si., M.Sc., and Technical Development Team of Kuwang temporary shelter, Prof. Dr. Ir. Nizam.
In front of hundreds of shelter residents, Prof. Nizam said that the technical and logistics team of Deru not only provided aid in form of temporary shelters, but also logistics to the residents up to the realization of permanent residence for survivors of Merapi. "We will continue to assist. We are trusted to help build Kuwang temporary shelters up to permanent shelters," Nizam said.
According to Nizam, the most important thing to build a better life for the survivors of Merapi disaster is the spirit to revive. "The more important thing is the spirit of the survivors to revive. We see the potential for cold lava disaster is immense. Residents have to revive by following the activities and programs conducted by government," he said.
DERU UGM in cooperation with Baznas is currently building market stalls which are intended to foster economic activity for Merapi survivors. "In this complex, markets are currently established for boosting economic activity. Last week, we also did brick and cone-block training. People participation is very needed in the future," he said.
One of officers of Argomulyo Village, Ir. Haryadi, conveyed his respect and appreciation for the aid provided by DERU, particularly in temporary shelter construction and economic recovery program for Kuwang residents. "UGM has given a lot, not only the physical buildings and logistics, but also recovery program. The most important for the citizens is the spirit to recover. Houses might be destroyed, but the spirit to revive is more important. We believe that behind this tragedy there is an extraordinary wisdom," he said.
In Kuwang temporary shelter, it is recorded 261 families from Argomulyo. Recently, the number has grown to 34 families because their houses are not habitable due to cold lava disaster. "There are people from 10 of 22 hamlets in Argomulyo living in Kuwang," he added.
Haryadi said that although affected by Merapi, Argomulyo Village actually gets 'blessing' of the eruption in the form of stone and sand. "Recently, Argomulyo contributes the most tax in excavation C in all Cangkringan," he concluded.