Unesa.ac.id., SURABAYA–Subdirectorate of Crisis Center Mitigation (SMCC) Surabaya State University (UNESA ) dispatched a team of volunteers to help deal with residents affected by the earthquake in Bawean. The departure ceremony was held in the Rectorate Lobby, on Tuesday, March 26 2024.
Head of Sub-Directorate for Crisis Center Mitigation, Dr. Diana Rahmasari, S.Psi., M.Si., said that in this humanitarian mission, SMCC collaborated with the Gresik Regency Health Service (Dinkes) to carry out various emergency disaster response efforts and help residents affected by the earthquake.
"According to the plan, the volunteer team will only be in Bawean for 3-4 days to carry out emergency response activities and help with the psychological treatment of residents, especially mothers and children affected by the earthquake. This treatment is called Psychological First Aid (PFI)," said the UNESA lecturer and psychologist.
Dr. Aghus Sifaq, S.Or., M.Pd., SMCC team leader responsible for this humanitarian mission, explained that his team went to two areas, namely Sangkapura and Tambak Districts. The volunteers deployed already have special competency in disaster response and psychological first aid for earthquake victims.
"Volunteers have received training in stages since the beginning of recruitment. In fact, our volunteers are divided into several special handling groups, some specifically for earthquakes, floods, fires, landslides, public kitchens, etc. So, these are the ones who went "a special volunteer group for dealing with earthquake victims," said Aghus.
Aside from helping with psychological management of residents, the UNESA team also provides education about how to build sturdy buildings in disaster-prone areas . "Later, after receiving treatment and education from us, they (the victims) will be resilient and ready to face earthquakes that may occur in the future," he hoped.
Director of Prevention and Management of Campus Strategic Issues (PPIS), Prof. Dr. Mutimmatul Faidah, M.Ag., said this was not the first time UNESA had carried out a humanitarian mission to assist the government in both the evacuation and recovery of residents affected by disasters.
Since 2020, UNESA has paid special attention to dealing with disaster issues, during Covid-19. In the end, SMCC was formed as a unit under the umbrella of PPIS.
“Thanks to the humanitarian missions that we often carry out, finally there are many networks of community institutions that when they need help, they call us. Of course, we are happy that when the community needs campus assistance, we will come. "SMCC is even trusted by the government to share experiences of humanitarian missions on various occasions," he said.
The volunteers who went were Dr. Aghus Sifaq, S.Or., M.Pd., together with Ramadhan Maruta P, S.PSi., M.Pd., and several students including Syahrul Rizqy from the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering study program, Syifa Qulubina from the Bachelor of Psychology , Raafi Ramadhan from S-1 Guidance Counseling, and Rizky Surya from D-4 Culinary Management.[*]
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Author: Fatimah Najmus Shofa (FBS)
Editor: @zam*
Photo: Public Relations Team Documentation
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