Women’s Awareness about Disaster

Monday, 15 March 2021
by Wike Marsela

Turgo Exposure Reflection

by Wike Marsela

 

 

 

 

Saturday, February 27, 2021, was a unique moment for me because I visited an active volcano in the Special Region of Yogyakarta for the first time, after entering my fifth year living in this city. Yes, I am Wike Marsela from Lubuk Linggau, South Sumatera. I am currently studying for the Master of Education Management at the University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa Yogyakarta.

 

Mount Merapi is a mountain located in the middle of the island of Java and one of the active volcanoes in Indonesia which has two consequences. On one hand, volcanoes cause potential danger for the safety of the surrounding population if they erupt, especially the slopes of Mount Merapi are quite densely populated, which includes the regencies of Sleman, Klaten, Boyolali, and Magelang, which have a high eruption threat. The main dangers that threaten the surrounding area of Merapi are the flow of hot clouds, thrown stones, ash rain, lava, and toxic gases. The consequences arising from this disaster can be in the form of casualties and the damage of the environment or ecosystem, property or assets loss, livelihood loss, lifelong disability, psychological disorders, trauma, etc. On the other hand, the existence of Mount Merapi also brings life to the surrounding community, from sand, stones, fertile land for plantations, and other productive plants besides tourism.

 

 

The visit to Turgo is a part of Exposure to Merapi under the guidance of Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta as a student mentoring program with its motto H-idup (live), E-fisien (efficient), M-andiri (self-supported), A-nalitis (analytical), T-ekun (perseverance). This program is oriented for students to understand and utilize life efficiently, independently, analytically, and diligently to do everything to achieve the aspired future. Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta is a forum that facilitates students with a hope that participants will proceed through series of training that are followed to become qualified individuals.

 

In dialogue with residents, Stube also provides space for women's representatives to share their experiences of living in Turgo during the eruption and what they are doing now. Sariyem, who was sitting with us, said, “At that time, without any clear signs, Merapi erupted hot clouds suddenly and slid to the southwest through the Boyong River. The hot cloud slide hit the riverbed and some soared and some turned toward the village. It was in 1994, I was pregnant, struggling to save myself and the baby that was being conceived. At that time I heard the rumbling sound and saw black clouds rising and heading towards the village. I was very afraid that the black cloud would overwhelm our village and our bamboo house. Spontaneously, even though I was pregnant, I ran for safety to the bricked house, but because of panic I was in the wrong direction, I should have run away from the source of eruption, but instead ran up towards the black clouds. Immediately I realized it and turned around and was helped by other residents to escape to the lower area.”

 

 

Sariyem admitted that she and the women in Turgo learned from past experiences, that it was important to be aware of being in a disaster area and that education was carried out to prepare themselves if a disaster happened again. The women's social gathering group carried out education and sharing about disasters, by planning and organizing to achieve the desired goals. So that, when an eruption occurs like this year (2021), the residents and women can manage refugee camps, work in public kitchens and organize water availability.

After hearing the testimony, for me, women are strong even though they are often referred to as weak creatures. How come? A woman who is pregnant and struggling to save herself with the baby in the womb, is not an easy thing, moreover without preparation. Mental strength and big courage make women survive. Keep fighting to survive Indonesian women. ***


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