After being success mobilizing aids in the form of clothing and funds for a month, UMM Laboratory of Social Welfare finally succeeded in delivering aids for victims of Mount Merapi eruption in Yogyakarta. Last week, a team headed by the head of Social Welfare Laboratory, Fauzik Lendriono, M.Si was in the location together with a number of volunteer students. They were seven students from Social Welfare Department, four students from Faculty of Health Science and four students from UMM Medical Faculty. Meanwhile, the lecturers who accompanied the team were Fauzik, Zaenal Abidin, S. Sos (Social Welfare), dr. Tontowi Jauhari, M. Kes and dr. Yoyo Subagyo (FK), and Yoyok Beksi, M. Kep (Faculty of Health Science).
Distribution of aid was focused in Srumbung Sub-District, Muntilan Regency. The area was still relatively unspoiled from distribution of aid from other parties. UMM team immediately held a free medical action, the distribution of school supplies, distribution of child nutrition, distribution of clothing and food packages.
"The whole package of the distributed aids was the collecting result done by UMM Social Welfare Lab and the deposit from Aisyiyah Regional Leadership of Malang," said Fauzik. In addition to assistance in the form of goods, there was also donated a sum of money amounting to Rp. 2.5 million for Muhammadiyah Branch Leadership of Srumbung Sub-District, Muntilan.
Fauzik explained, all the aids were the result of the aid collecting action conducted by Social Welfare Lab. In addition to funds, the aids collected included clothing, formulated milks and instant porridges for baby as well as women’s needs. "UMM itself through Baitul Maal also contributed Rp. 5 millions," he said.
To avoid the futility of aids, the team also selected clothing that was really worth. From about 2500 pieces of clothes, it was sorted into 350 pieces of children clothes, 300 pieces of teenager clothes, 150 pieces of adult clothes, 100 pieces of veils, 15 sarongs and blankets, and also 10 caps.
Fauzik further stated, from the field findings there were many spots that were still not fully being reached by outside parties’ aids, such as in Cangkringan Sub-District. Thus, he asked Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Centre (MDMC) of PP Muhammadiyah to join, ensuring all the aids could be right on the targets. "Who determined the location was also MDMC. The intensive communication between Social Welfare Lab and MDMC made this humanitarian service activities could be well done," said Fauzik.
On the other hand, UMM team deliberately integrated the handling of disaster relief with a variety of disciplines. The involvement of nursing, medical, and psychology students and lecturers he judged as an effort to address the needs of post-disaster services. "So, if there is a sudden need of social services after disaster like this, the four could be conditioned, i.e. Social Workers, Nurses, Doctors and Psychologists. Insha Allah, UMM would provide the best service as its motto “From Muhammadiyah for the Nation”," added Fauzik. (nas/t_alf)
