Tambora Fire Trauma Healing Service Targets 50 Children

The Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Social Services Department (Dinsos), has provided psychosocial support for children affected by the fire in Jalan Krendang Barat, Tambora, West Jakarta. The trauma healing service targets 50 children who lost their homes in the Tambora fire on Thursday, 28 May.

Ira Ayu Puspita, Head of the Social Disaster Victim Protection Sub-Group at Dinsos DKI Jakarta, explained that the psychological intervention was designed specifically to avoid burdening the children’s minds about the fire. Methods used are tailored to age groups, from primary to junior high school.

“Activities include group singing, light quizzes, and drawing. The aim is not to have them think heavily about the incident. We tailor it to their age,” Ayu said at the Musala Al-Hikmah evacuation site on Friday, 29 May 2026.

The psychosocial service has been running since 14:30 WIB. Dozens of children enthusiastically followed staff instructions on the second floor of the mosque, forming circles, answering quiz questions about their aspirations, and receiving gift packages as appreciation and comfort.

Ayu added that the duration of the service is conditional: “We don’t have a fixed timeframe; it depends on the situation and conditions at the service location. We want to ensure the children feel comfortable first.”

The fire destroyed 27 homes in Jalan Krendang Barat, Krendang, Tambora subdistrict, West Jakarta, on Thursday evening. According to Syaiful Kahfi, Head of the Operations Section of the West Jakarta Fire and Rescue Department (Gulkarmat), the blaze was suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, impacting 113 households. Over 250 people were displaced and urgently require clothing, blankets, and medical supplies.

Darto (43), a fire victim in Krendang, West Jakarta, recounted his heroic act of breaking down a door to save his children and grandchildren from the flames.