UNAIR NEWS – Natural disasters that have affected several regions across Indonesia have left lasting consequences. Beyond physical destruction and material losses, such disasters also inflict psychological distress on communities, particularly children. In response, various groups have expressed solidarity and support for those impacted by disasters in Aceh and other parts of Sumatra.
As part of its ongoing commitment to community engagement, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has also taken part in relief efforts. Through the Sumatra Disaster Response Team, WANALA, together with the Airlangga Photography Society (APS), organized trauma recovery activities and provided education on personal hygiene and proper handwashing at SDN 6 Tanah Jambo Aye in North Aceh.
The program was carried out to support the psychosocial recovery of children in the aftermath of the disaster. Two WANALA members, Dhea Arda Noor Syamsu (DIKLATSAR 43) and Julio Gitra Setiawan (DIKLATSAR 44), along with Daffa Brani Achmad Maulana from APS, were directly involved in the activities.
Educational and child-friendly approach
Dhea Arda Noor Syamsu, one of the WANALA volunteers, explained that the trauma recovery sessions were designed using a fun and educational approach to help children feel safe and at ease. “We engaged the children through light, interactive games to create a relaxed atmosphere and help shift their focus away from the traumatic experiences caused by the disaster,” she said.
In addition to games, the volunteers facilitated simple question-and-answer sessions to encourage children to share stories, express their feelings, and build warm communication with the volunteers. According to her, this method helped children feel acknowledged and supported.
Beyond addressing psychological well-being, WANALA volunteers also delivered hygiene education by demonstrating proper handwashing techniques through hands-on practice. The material was presented in an interactive and engaging way to ensure children could easily understand and adopt clean and healthy habits.
Strong participation from students and teachers
She noted that enthusiasm among participants, particularly the students, was very high. Children actively took part in each activity, showed excitement during the games, and confidently responded to questions or raised their own. “The children appeared cheerful and genuinely enjoyed interacting with the volunteers,” she said.
Teachers at the school also welcomed the program warmly. Their full support helped ensure the smooth implementation of the trauma recovery activities and made the program especially beneficial for students.
During the program, volunteers encountered several challenges, including limited time and inadequate facilities due to infrastructure damage caused by the disaster. Despite these obstacles, the activities proceeded smoothly thanks to strong cooperation between the volunteers and the school.
Hope for children’s recovery
Through these trauma recovery efforts, WANALA UNAIR hopes students will regain their enthusiasm for learning, feel happier, and gradually recover from the emotional distress they experienced. “We hope this program provides children with a sense of safety, boosts their confidence, and helps restore their joy and motivation to learn,” Dhea Arda Noor Syamsu said.
The initiative stands as a tangible example of UNAIR students’ contribution to community service, particularly in responding to disaster emergencies and supporting the psychosocial recovery of children in affected areas.
Author: Tsabita Nuha Zahidah
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
