Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), through the Institute for Research and Community Service (Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat/LPPM) in collaboration with LPPM from the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and Airlangga University (Unair) prepare joint actions to overcome the impact of the earthquake in West Sulawesi.
On Monday (18/1), Secretary of LPPM Unhas, Dr. Ir. Abdul Rasyid Jalil, M.Si explained that currently the leaders of the LPPM of the three universities are communicating intensively and will immediately deploy the Joint Disaster Preparedness and Response Team to the location. Moreover, The Unhas Medical Team for Disaster Preparedness and Response is already at the location to provide an overview of the situation and urgent emergency needs.
“Kesatria Airlangga Floating Hospital owned by Unair is currently on its way to Makassar, planned to arrive tomorrow on Tuesday (19/1). They will bring the Medical Team and will join the LPPM Unhas Medical Team to go together to West Sulawesi by sea,” said Rasyid who is familiarly known as Mr. Cido.
Furthermore, on Wednesday (20/1), the Disaster Preparedness and Response Team from ITB was also planned to arrive in Makassar via aeroplane. The ITB team was planned to bring a number of equipment and emergency assistance needed by disaster victims in West Sulawesi.
“The ITB team will coordinate with the LPPM Unhas Disaster Preparedness and Response Team, after which we will both move to the location by land route. Apart from bringing in medical personnel, this team also consists of volunteers to help the evacuations and emergency assistance required in the field,” said Rasyid.
In addition, LPPM Unhas is also encouraging participation from researchers and Unhas officers to donate in order to meet the needs of the victims. Researchers and service providers expressed a high interest to intervene and provide assistance according to their respective capacities.
The collaboration of the three universities is coordinated by the respective Chairmen of the LPPM from the three universities, namely: Prof. Dr. Andi Alimuddin (Chairman of LPPM Unhas), Dr. dr. Gadis Meinar Sari, M.Kes (Chairman of LPPM Unair), and Ir. R. Sugeng Joko Sarwono, MT. Ph.D. (Chairman of LPPM ITB).
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
