DEPOK, WEST JAVA — On Thursday morning (29/09/2022), the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa held an active Urban Disaster Management (UDM) for vulnerable groups and the elderly at the Volunteer Health Post in the Bumi Pancar Harapan area, Jl. Durian, Rangkapan Jaya Baru, Depok.
UDM, with the title ‘Sis Tania’ (Berbasis Kelompok Rentan dan Lansia/Based on Vulnerable Groups and the Elderly), trained dozens of participants consisting of PKK mothers, Posyandu health volunteers, and other elements of the elderly community. DMC Dompet Dhuafa invited them and provided training that day to always be swift to carry out the first emergency response when a disaster emergency response occurs.
“UDM ‘Sis Tania’ is Dompet Dhuafa’s urban disaster management that focuses on disaster preparedness for women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups,” explained Haryo Mojopahit as Chief Executive of DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
He also stated that the program also focuses on tackling health crises and daily emergencies. Starting from the basics of community disaster management and fire disaster preparedness (early warning system, including extinguishing light fires with fire extinguishers or other household appliances, to evacuation). Then hydromeorological disaster preparedness (floods, tidal waves, and landslides), earthquakes, the elderly with disabilities, and health crisis preparedness in community disaster mitigation.
“All the training was very memorable and rewarding for my friends and me. (Through this training) we can overcome (disasters). Then we have got the knowledge from the training earlier. Starting from helping fainted people, fractures to heart problems. If there is an incident like that on the highway, recreation area, recitation place, more or less we can help,” explained Sumiyati Bambang, one of the participants.
In addition, DMC Dompet Dhuafa explained the procedures for making Public Kitchens (Dapur Umum) and Warm Posts (Pos Hangat) follow nutritional standards as an emergency service in times of disaster. Furthermore, DMC Dompet Dhuafa trained the participants to provide first aid to victims of natural disasters.
“Usually, when you encounter a fire, you immediately panic and go straight out of the house. But with this kind of activity, we can know how to deal with it. I think (this training) is vital, especially since our country often experiences many disasters. Usually, we have a tough time dealing with it,” explained Desty Lutfiana, one of the other participants.
United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) data shows that 71 percent of people with disabilities do not have an evacuation plan in the event of a disaster, and 85 percent have never participated in disaster relief efforts.
“Most of Indonesia’s 63 percent of population lives in urban areas. Overcrowding causes people to have to live in disaster-prone areas. Therefore, the community must be equipped with the ability to get to know the potential disasters in their area and how to overcome them,” continued Haryo.
This activity aims to identify and map potential urban disasters in the community. At the same time, building an urban community that is responsive and resilient to disasters. Especially in densely populated and small-income areas. Finally, it empowers Pos Sehat cadres, especially the communities of women, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups and their companions, to address disasters. (Dompet Dhuafa / DMC / Dhika Prabowo)