MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – MANGGARAI — Hasanuddin University (Unhas) has deployed a team as part of its Disaster Response Community Service Program (KKN Tanggap Bencana) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The team departed on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, to carry out a humanitarian mission while supporting communities affected by the disaster.
The Disaster Response KKN team includes two student executive council (BEM) leaders: Fathu Rahman, Chairman of the BEM at the Faculty of Law, and Muhammad Rizki Rivaldo, Chairman of the BEM at the Faculty of Dentistry.
The KKN team is led directly by Unhas Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Muhammad Ruslin, drg., M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.B.M.Mf., Subsp.Ortognat.D., accompanied by Ilham Alimuddin, ST., M.GIS., Ph.D., Head of the Unhas Disaster Studies Center.
On the third day after arriving at the disaster site, Friday, August 21, 2026, the Unhas Disaster Response KKN team was in West Lamba Leda District, East Manggarai Regency. At this location, the students provided basic health examinations and medical services in Satar Punda Village.
The activity, which ran from 8:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Central Indonesia Time (WITA), served 60 residents affected by the disaster.
In addition to basic health examinations, the Unhas Disaster Response KKN team provided wound care to 10 residents who had previously suffered injuries after being struck by debris during the disaster.
The examinations found that common health complaints included flu and mild coughs, particularly among children. Meanwhile, among residents over 40 years of age, several patients were found to have a history of hypertension but had not been receiving regular treatment.
At the evacuation site, several students also interacted with children staying in the evacuation tents. They invited the children to participate in educational games as an activity to occupy their time while creating a more enjoyable atmosphere amid the difficult conditions of displacement.
The involvement of two BEM leaders from the Faculties of Law and Dentistry, together with students from various faculties, demonstrates the active role of student organizations in humanitarian missions. Their presence also reinforces the spirit of student collaboration in making a direct contribution to communities affected by disasters. (* / ram)
