By: Rika Prasatya*
The earthquake in Cianjur apparently received sympathy from many parties, including the Divia Cita (IDC) 83 Wives Association, which participated optimally in distributing aid to earthquake victims. The aid, which was coordinated directly by Susilowati Budi Gunawan, handed over two aids to the BIN humanitarian aid post which was built on the Labuan-Cianjur crossroad, Cijedil Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur.
Prabawa Ajie as BIN spokesperson said the two logistical aid trucks contained assistance that was urgently needed by the refugees, such as mineral water, children’s food, medicines, sanitary napkins, diapers and basic necessities. This assistance was received directly by the Head of the West Java Regional BIN (KABINDA), Brigadier General Ruddy Prasemilsa Mahks.
The assistance from IDC 83 is of course very supportive of the efforts made by the BIN Humanitarian Team in meeting the needs of refugees being accommodated by BIN.
Furthermore, the assistance from IDC 83 will be sent by the BIN humanitarian team which routinely conducts sweeps of affected and isolated areas that have not been touched by aid.
Ajie said that one truck would be sent for the victims in Cijedil Village and another truck would be given to residents who had not received assistance, especially isolated villages that had not been touched by other teams.
He said that IDC 83 together with BIN had a commitment to continue to make efforts to ease the burden on the victims affected by the earthquake in Cianjur. One of them is through the provision of logistical assistance, medicines, health services and others.
The benefits of the assistance provided by BIN were truly felt by the earthquake victims. Pudin, as the Head of Cijedil Village, specifically expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by IDC 83 through BIN. Pudin hopes that this disaster will soon pass and the community can carry out their activities as before.
It was noted that BIN had also opened a humanitarian aid post in Cianjur since the first day the earthquake occurred. More than 300 refugees have been accommodated at the BIN Post. Because the BIN Humane Team could not pass through the road to Cijedil Village, in the end tens of BIN team personnel traveled on foot.
Along the path, you can see dozens of houses damaged by the earthquake, not far from the expanse of rice fields and gardens, there is a makeshift tent with a tarpaulin, standing right next to the fish ponds belonging to the residents. This makeshift evacuation tent is inhabited by 25 people.
Main Inspector of BIN, Eman Sungkowo said, in accordance with directions from the Head of BIN, Gen. Pol (Purn) Budi Gunawan, his party would continue to reach victims affected by the earthquake in areas that were difficult to access. The second point is in the village of Gunung Lanjung 1, Cijedil. The arrival of the BIN Humane Team at these two points created a feeling of emotion.
The community also felt happy when BIN arrived, moreover what was given was not only instant noodles or raw ingredients, but cooked food. The refugees can eat immediately without having to cook first, because in the refugee tents there are no proper cooking utensils.
In addition to food assistance, BIN also provides assistance in the form of health services, in collaboration with the local Puskesmas. The doctors came and examined the Cianjur earthquake refugees. They are ensured that they are always healthy and maintain cleanliness, and wear masks, because they are currently still in a pandemic.
It should be noted that one of the villages whose condition is very apprehensive is Mangunkerta Village. Assistance in the village is still small. The community has set up tents but the location is a bit precarious because it is close to rice fields and plantations. Therefore the BIN humanitarian team took the initiative to make additional, more representative tents.
The tent set up by BIN received appreciation because it was deemed fit for habitation. People can live there temporarily, because their houses were heavily damaged by the earthquake. In the midst of their evacuation, they did not lose hope because they were still receiving assistance from BIN, who was willing to come all the way to an isolated area in Cianjur. BIN also maintains a commitment to provide assistance to Cianjur residents even in remote places.
The current situation in Cianjur Regency is of course still not 100% recovered because the debris from the buildings has not been cleared and the people are still fleeing to safer places. However, they remain patient and sincere. In addition to assistance in the form of food and health services, BIN also provides trauma healing. Communities, especially children, will be taught how to get rid of trauma caused by the severity of the earthquake.
In providing assistance to earthquake victims, BIN also distributed humanitarian assistance raised by IDC 83, it is hoped that this assistance can alleviate the difficulties currently being faced by earthquake victims in Cianjur, West Java.
*The author is a Contributor to the Indonesian Institute for Strategic Information Studies