UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho sent off the 3rd batch of Semeru Disaster Taskforce to Lumajang District, East Java on Friday (24/12/2021).
In the send-off ceremony in the lobby of the Rectorate Building dr. Prakosa, Prof. Jamal reminded the task force that their presence should ease the burden of the evacuees.
“We are helping, so we should ease their burden. We should not burden them; we must ease their struggle, for example, by assisting in the next recovery,” Prof. Jamal stated.
He also hoped that the volunteers could contact UNS Hospital in the location directly and maintain coordination with local stakeholders to avoid miscommunication.
“With this, I send you off; hopefully, you perform your duties well, ease the burden of the evacuees in the shelter, and always stay safe until your return to Solo,” he added.
Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Affairs UNS, Prof. Kuncoro Diharjo, explained that the 3rd batch of Semeru Disaster taskforce aims to help the trauma healing and to help the evacuees. The task force consists of eleven volunteers, two from Alumni Association (IKA) UNS, five from Student Association for Nature Explorer (PMPA) Vagus Faculty of Medical Science (FK) UNS, two from the Coordinating Board (Bakorlak) for SAR UNS, and three from the Volunteer Corps (KSR) PMI UNS and Disaster Study Center (PSB) UNS.
The volunteers will take over the duties of the 2nd batch task force, which had implemented their duties from Tuesday (14/12/2021). For ten days, the task force will help the evacuees until the disaster response period is over. Prof. Kuncoro stated that the 3rd batch would be led directly by the Public Relations of Bakorlak SAR UNS, Ayub.
“Our main activities are medical services and trauma healing. Other additional activities could be decided later on after the main activities, such as distribution of aids for the evacuees,” Prof. Kuncoro stated. He also emphasized Prof. Jamal’s message that the volunteers are expected to maintain their communication in the disaster site. Prof. Kuncoro also suggested that the team communicate with the Relocation Team to discuss the temporary settlements program for the evacuees.
“This is important information because to this day, it is still in the mapping process, and there has not been finalization. We are currently discussing UNS post-disaster relief contribution concerning the collected donation for Semeru,” he concluded.
On a different occasion, the Leader of the 3rd Taskforce, Ayub, explained that his team brought staple foods, pampers, trauma healing equipment, and other tools. His team is also supported with a unit of ambulance and car. UNS had sent off two other taskforces in responding to the Mount Semeru eruption on 4December; the first task force was sent on 5 December and 2nd task force on 14December. Humas UNS
Reporter: Y.C.A. Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti