Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) received an Award for Disaster Management from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). This award was given as a series of National Coordination Meetings of National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB Rakornas) 2021, which took place offline at Graha BNPB Jakarta and broadcasted online on the BNPB YouTube channel on Wednesday (10/3).
BNPB Rakornas 2021 is coupled with the commemoration of BNPB’s 13th Birthday and one-year evaluation of handling the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Disaster Management Award is given to institutions, social organizations, and individuals deemed to have made a major contribution to disaster management in Indonesia. Five award categories represent Penta helix elements: local government, business institutions, institutions and individuals, universities, and mass-media.
For the Higher Education category, the award was given to six campuses, namely:
- Universitas Indonesia
- Institut Pertanian Bogor
- Universitas Hasanuddin
- Universitas Mataram
- Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Universitas Tadulako
This award is given for active involvement, consistency, and innovation in disaster management.
The Head of BNPB, Doni Monardo, stated that the main vision of disaster management as instructed by President Joko Widodo is prevention. Therefore, the collaborative role of various parties plays an important role. It was stated in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the National Working Meeting.
“Through Penta helix and building a disaster resilient mentality, we hope that Indonesia will become a nation that is responsive, resilient, and competent to face disasters,” said Doni.
Rector of Unhas, Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, MA, warmly welcomed the appreciation awarded by BNPB. This indicates that Unhas has been on the path of humanity in implementing the three noble obligations of higher education as its main mandate.
“As a university that carries the identity of humaniversity, Unhas is actively, consistently, and innovatively involved in humanitarian activities. Unhas, both academicians and alumni, actively help whenever there is a disaster. Unhas is also actively engaged in efforts to build a culture of comprehensive disaster preparedness, starting from disaster mitigation, emergency response to the post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation phases,” said Prof. Dwia.
The involvement in humanitarian activities in disaster situations takes place simultaneously. In various disaster events, both natural and non-natural disasters, Unhas medical personnel and volunteers always ready to be deployed to the location to assist.
Unhas volunteers have been involved in helping natural disasters in various parts of Indonesia, such as the earthquake in Aceh, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Palu, West Sulawesi, and flash floods Masamba, and even abroad. Likewise, in non-natural disasters, such as malnutrition in Asmat and the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Unhas helped the government and society through collaboration, innovation and social activities. Unhas facilitates the implementation of the first phase of vaccination for all health workers in Makassar City. The Unhas research team designed an innovative case distribution mapping using GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. Unhas experts are also involved in helping the City and Provincial Covid-19 Task Force and conducting several studies related to Covid-19.
In addition, the Unhas academic community educates the public through the initiation of information disclosure and carries out various community service activities.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
