UTDA and DPMA IPB Share Effective Disaster Mitigation and Handling Experience in Ciputri Village, Cianjur

Astra Emergency Response Unit (UTDA) in collaboration with the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) IPB University held a “Exposure and Sharing Session: UTDA & Networking National Forum 2024”. The event took place at the Agribusiness and Technology Park (ATP) IPB Pasir Sarongge, Ciputri Village, Cianjur Regency, West Java. 

The participants of this activity were Astra people and UTDA volunteers from all over Indonesia as well as the Ciputri Village community. “This activity was organized with the aim of providing a space to share insights and experiences for volunteers and the community in pre-disaster mitigation and effective post-disaster handling,” said Jaka Fernando, Head of Strategic Business Intelligence Astra.

Ciputri Village is one of the villages incorporated in Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) Cianjur Regency, a collaboration between IPB University and PT Astra International. This village was among those affected by the natural disaster of the earthquake which was quite severe in 2022. 

“Thanks to the initiative of the community and the responsive role of the village government, during these two years the condition of the village can improve through various recovery programs and assistance from various parties including the intensive role of IPB University,” said Deki Aprijal, SE, Ciputri Village Secretary in his speech. 

Dr Doni Yusri as the Chief of IPB Disaster Study Center told how IPB has been present since the post-disaster in November 2022 to provide intensive assistance until March 2023. 

In the 2022 Cianjur earthquake, IPB University through the Quick Response program had carried out various recovery activities, including assistance in the reconstruction of post-disaster community housing and distribution of aid. 

IPB University also provided trauma healing assistance to child victims, as well as repairing facilities and infrastructure, especially around the IPB Pasir Sarongge experimental garden.

Danang Aria Nugroho, SE, MSi, Supervisor of Agromaritime Services Division of DPMA IPB University said, “One of the improvement efforts that continues to be carried out until now is to improve the social and economic welfare of the community. This effort is carried out through assistance in the development of the agricultural sector, which acts as a source of income and a driver of the local economy.”

Astra Prosperous Village Program that has been implemented during 2024 has a real impact on improving the welfare of the community, especially Ciputri Village farmers. The community benefits from the provision of production facilities and infrastructure as well as intensive assistance from IPB University experts.

The collaboration of various sectors is what makes the village recover faster and the community can rise more independently and be resilient in facing future challenges. The synergy between the government, private sector, academia, and the community not only accelerates the recovery process, but also creates a strong foundation for sustainable development in the village. 

“As one of the beneficiaries of this DSA program, I would like to say thank you to IPB University and Astra for providing real assistance for us to continue to improve the economy,” said Junaedi Hasan. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)