UNAIR NEWS – The disasters phenomenon that occurs in Indonesian society includes floods, droughts, and landslides, is often considered as a natural phenomenon and destiny. In fact, the phenomenon is more common because people are mistaken to save forest and natural assets.

Responding to that, the Ministry of Community Service BEM KM (Executive Student Board) Universitas Airlangga held disaster response training in cooperation with PMI (Indonesian Red Cross), fire brigade (damkar), and regional disaster management agency (BPBD). The training was held as a Village Festival in  Desa Sajen , Kecamatan Pacet, Mojokerto, Saturday (11/11).

Village Festival is a form of community service activity of UNAIR students. The head of BEM KM UNAIR, Anang Fajrul, stated that a university, especially its students, should take part and synergize with the community to improve the economy and standard of living.

“Community Service is one of our efforts as a student and college civitas to be able to give the best work to the community. Of course the students must take part in building and developing the potential of the village,” said the Political Science student

The location of the community was selected on consideration; Desa Sajen will be an example for the development of other villages. “The location in Sajen was selected because we see the potential, both natural resources and human resources. Including culture in the area we can make early development and good examples for other areas, “said Anang.

In the two-day community service activity, the activities were not only disaster response training. Other activities include the improvement of village potency, Cleaning up the village, cheap market, art performances, farmer and local handmade art market, and also fun gymnastic.

No fewer than 80 participants from students joined the activity; they were member of BEM and volunteer. Also invited the students from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” East Java and SMAN 1 Gondang, Mojokerto.

Local people look enthusiast and greatly appreciated this activity. “This activity shows the synergy between student, community, university and also village,” Said a local people

Author : Binti Q. Masruroh

Editor: Feri Fenoria