Representatives from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), University of Indonesia (UI), and Hasanuddin University (Unhas) conducted a community service initiative in the Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi, to raise awareness about earthquake and tsunami disasters. The team, composed of lecturers and students, carried out the program from September 3 to 6, 2024.
One of the key agendas was educating elementary school (SD) and kindergarten (TK) students in Benteng City, along with introducing the book "Anak Selayar Siaga Gempa" (Selayar Children Earthquake Ready). On September 5, 2024, a dialogue event titled "Earthquake and Tsunami Threats: What Can We Do?" was held for junior and senior high school students in Selayar Islands. The purpose of this event was to increase their awareness of the potential disaster risks in the region.
Gabriella Alodia, Ph.D., a lecturer from ITB's Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering department, explained that Selayar Islands are at significant risk of earthquakes and tsunamis, as has occurred several times in various parts of the area. According to her, the community, especially the youth, must understand disaster mitigation. "We may not know exactly when an earthquake will occur, but there are many things we can do to minimize the risks," Gabriella stated during the dialogue on September 5 in Benteng.
She also emphasized the importance of youth as both subjects and objects in disaster mitigation efforts. Besides being at risk of becoming victims, they are the future decision-makers, whose understanding of disaster mitigation will be crucial in forming policies and influencing personal behavior within their families and communities.
Diva Kusumadewi, M.T., a Ph.D. candidate in Urban and Regional Planning at ITB, highlighted the social aspects of earthquake and tsunami disasters. She explained that disasters not only have physical impacts but also significant psychological and social consequences. For example, people with disabilities require special attention during a disaster. Diva further stated that many social policies must be strengthened to minimize both material and social losses during disasters.
Due to its proximity to the Eastern and Western Selayar Faults, as well as the Flores Back Arc Thrust in the south, the Selayar Islands have been identified by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) as having a high potential for earthquakes and tsunamis.
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