By Edward Angimoy | Coordinator of Resource Development Department
Medical and Psychosocial Support for Semeru Eruption-affected Community
Ash clouds from the Mount Semeru eruption hit the Lumajang district and its area on Saturday, December 4, 2021. This disaster caused 51 deaths, dozens of people seriously injured and others injured (21/12). It also forced 10,400 people to evacuate at 406 evacuation points. Other than closed access, limited access to clean water, unstable telecommunication network, electricity failure, and limited PPE to apply COVID-19 protocol, the affected community also had limited support for healthy food, medical, and psychosocial services.
The community’s memories of Semeru’s ash clouds that rolled to their home still lingered. When ash clouds came out from that 3,676 m high mountain, some communities panicked and ran as ash clouds got closer. The sliding distance reaches 2.5 km from the center of Besuk Kobokan village. “ If we don’t run, we die,” said Mustaqim from Supiturang Village.
Due to its impact, the government carried out the status of Emergency Response for 30 days starting from December 4, 2021. The worst impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru occurred in three villages and in two sub-districts, namely Supiturang and Curah Kobokan in Pronojiwo District, and Sumberwuluh in Candipuro District.
As part of our support, we partnered with KUN Humanity System + to provide healthy food packages, medical services, as well as mental health and psychosocial services. That support was delivered to the affected families in Supiturang village and its neighbor village, Oro-Oro Ombo.
As for medical services, we established a satellite post tent in Oro-Oro Ombo as there were no maximum medical services around that area. The service begins five days after the eruption. Other than that, we also utilized a mobile clinic to provide the service as the survivors were not staying at the evacuation post from morning to evening. During one week, we reached 271 patients with four top morbidities such as respiratory tract infections (ARI), skin disease, and diarrhea.
While delivering medical services using mobile clinics, we also provide mental health and psychosocial services at the same time. The services focused on psychosocial first aid, posture correction group coaching, as well as group and individual counseling based on medical referrals or community needs. During one week, we reached 53 people from six villages around Pronojiwo Sub-district through the services.
Outreach highlights:
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