UNS—The Community Service (KKN) students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta successfully organized a socialization event with the theme “Building Resilience and Preparedness for Gawan Village Residents Against Flood Disaster Risks.” This initiative was part of the students’ efforts to raise awareness and enhance community readiness in facing disasters, while also marking the establishment of the Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB) in Gawan Village.
Gawan Village, located in Tanon District, Sragen, is prone to flooding due to its proximity to the Bengawan Solo River. Recognizing this risk, the KKN UNS team initiated the “Disaster Resilient Village” socialization to equip the community with knowledge and skills to handle disasters.
The event was held at Gawan Village Hall and attended by various community representatives, including village officials, local leaders, and representatives from the Sragen Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The main speaker, Danang from BPBD, delivered a presentation on disaster management, risk mitigation, the importance of preparedness, and actionable steps that residents can take to minimize the impact of flood disasters.
Sutrisna, S.Sos., the Head of Gawan Village, expressed his appreciation to the KKN UNS students for organizing the event. He hoped the establishment of FPRB and the socialization activities would enhance the village’s disaster resilience. “I highly appreciate the initiative of UNS and the KKN students for organizing this event. I hope Gawan Village can become more prepared to face any potential disasters,” he said.
Izabel Kalina, the Chair of the Socialization Committee, stated that the event was just the beginning of a broader program initiated by the KKN students. “I believe that Gawan Village is a safe place, but it’s still essential for us to continue learning and preparing so that if a disaster strikes, the village is resilient and ready to respond,” she told uns.ac.id on Friday (13/9/2024).
During his presentation, Danang emphasized that building a disaster-resilient village starts with individuals and families, and is strengthened by community cooperation. “Preparedness is not just the government’s responsibility, but everyone’s. With the right knowledge and preparation, we can reduce the risk and impact of flood disasters,” Danang said.
The event also included an emergency evacuation drill involving all participants. This simulation demonstrated the steps residents should take in the event of sudden flooding. The community’s enthusiasm was evident in their active participation during the drill and their questions about technical aspects of disaster preparedness.
A significant achievement of the event was the establishment of the Gawan Village FPRB. The forum serves as a coordination platform between residents, the village government, and relevant stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and implement sustainable mitigation efforts. The forum also aims to ensure that the knowledge and skills gained from the socialization can continue to be applied and developed by the community.
During the formation of FPRB, Gawan residents agreed to appoint representatives from various neighborhood units (RT) to serve on the forum’s management team. The forum will collaborate with BPBD and other relevant parties to implement disaster mitigation plans, such as drainage management, flood-prone area mapping, and routine simulation exercises.
Beatrix Datu, the head of the FPRB formation committee, expressed her hopes that the event would not end with the forum’s establishment but would lead to concrete actions taken by the community to address disaster risks. “We will continue to support the Gawan Village FPRB, and we hope that our efforts will bring sustainable benefits to the village,” she added.
The event concluded with a collective commitment by all residents and FPRB members to actively participate in disaster mitigation efforts. Residents were also given brochures and disaster mitigation guides as references for everyday life.
With this event, Gawan Village is expected not only to become resilient in facing disasters but also to serve as a pioneer in disaster risk reduction in the Tanon District and surrounding areas.
HUMAS UNS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
