UNAIR NEWS – The Tsunami Disaster Expedition Village (Destana) is a part of activities held by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The expedition aims to shape community preparedness by understanding disaster risks in their area of residence, especially the tsunami.
The expedition team sending off ceremony was held at Boom Banyuwangi beach, July 12, inviting Governor of East Java, BNPB, Regent of Banyuwangi, and various social organizations and academics, including Universitas Airlangga students who were conducting KKN (Community Service program) in Banyuwangi.
Dr. Setya Haksama, drg., M. Kes., as the coordinator of Banyuwangi Regency KKN Program explained that the purpose of UNAIR students’ involvement in Banyuwangi was to increase students’ insight into how important disaster management is.
“Disasters have been a real problem in Indonesia, both natural and artificial disasters, so people must be there and be vigilant. The role of students or universities is also very important here; therefore, in this right moment, we involve students to explore the knowledge in this first activity, “explained the coordinator.
Boom Banyuwangi beach was also designated as the site of the first Destana implementation. The events included strengthening village and sub-district apparatus, as well as Babinsa / national health services related to Disaster Resilience Village, Goes to School Volunteers, village resilience assessment, coastal vegetation protection, and disaster information board installation, turtle hatchlings release, folk stage and ended with a bonfire.
“From a series of activities, I hoped that students involved would be able to gain knowledge and insight to increase, have the ability, and be able to transfer to other people, of course, related to disasters,” he added.
Besides, Lt. Gen. Doni Manardo also gave input to students, to keep guarding the community, primarily related to the disaster, by teaching the community something easy to understand, simple, not too theoretical, and more into action or practice.
“For example, if there is an earthquake of more than 30 seconds, do not take long to think, immediately save yourself, do not wait for sirens, who knows if electricity dies, immediately leave the shoreline to the higher grounds with a height of more than 30 meters, then practice the correct evacuation procedures, “said Lieutenant General Doni.
Responding to the role of UNAIR students in disaster management, Setya Haksama also said that UNAIR had signed an integrity pact to conduct Disaster KKN.
“It is just that the implementation is still being processed completely, it needs several meetings between UNAIR, BNPB, the local BPBD, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Higher Education Forum,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Bastian Ragas
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
