Unhas dispatches disaster-response KKN students in stages to NTT

Makassar (ANTARA) - Hasanuddin University is dispatching its Disaster Response Community Service Programme (KKN Tanggap Bencana) students in stages to help communities affected by the aftermath of the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs at Unhas, Prof Muhammad Ruslin, said in Makassar on Monday that the departure of Unhas volunteer students is being carried out in stages, following the development of the situation and the needs of the affected areas.

The first team officially released today consists of 10 students accompanied by lecturers and given briefing before heading to the location.

“We prepare everything according to the needs of the region. We do not want to work in isolation. Therefore, needs on the ground must be the basis for determining who is dispatched and what is brought,” explained Prof Ruslin.

The briefing was provided to ensure that students understand the limits of their roles, safety procedures, coordination patterns, and the conditions they may face while in the disaster area.

Unhas is also building coordination with disaster management networks at the location so that student involvement becomes part of the system already in operation.

“We mobilise this thematic KKN when a disaster occurs. We immediately prepare a team so that they can reach the field and help the community,” he said.

Rector of Unhas, Prof Dr Jamaluddin Jompa, added that all faculties will be involved in this joint action.

The Medical Assistance Team deployed comes from the Faculty of Dentistry, Unhas Dental and Oral Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Vocational Faculty.

“All faculties are involved. What is prepared is not only the students who depart, but also what the community needs at the location,” he said after officially releasing the Unhas volunteers.