Universitas Indonesia (UI) through UI Peduli Kebencanaan moved quickly to distribute logistical assistance to flood-affected residents in Pondok Gede Permai Housing, Bekasi, and Sawangan Asri Housing, Depok. The UI volunteer team consisting of students and education staff went directly to the location to provide the necessary assistance, ranging from ready-to-eat food, mineral water, medicines, to baby and women’s needs.
The high rainfall and the collapse of the embankment due to the overflowing water discharge caused Pondok Gede Permai Housing and Sawangan Asri Housing to become two points that were severely affected. On Tuesday morning, March 4, the water level in Pondok Gede Permai Housing reached 4 meters, while in Sawangan Asri Housing it reached 2 meters due to heavy rain that poured since Sunday night, March 2.
Bambang, the Head of RT 08/RW 10 Pondok Gede Permai Housing, said that the flood in the area occurred due to the overflow of the Bekasi River which received water discharge from the Cikeas River and Cilengsih River. This incident caused significant damage to residents’ homes and local infrastructure. “Several houses were severely damaged by the flood. The thick mud that settled after the flood also worsened the condition, making road access slippery and difficult to pass,” he said.
Not only in Bekasi, damage due to flooding also occurred in the Sawangan Asri Housing Complex. According to Johan, a local resident, the water should have receded in the morning, but because the embankment broke, the flood lasted longer. As a result, many residents fled to the homes of relatives or neighbors who were not affected.
In response to this emergency situation, on Wednesday, March 5, UI distributed logistical assistance to the Pondok Gede Permai Housing Complex, which included 443 bottles of packaged milk, 6 balls of baby diapers, medicines, 3 packs of women’s sanitary napkins, 140 pieces of soap, 50 pieces of cleaners, 3 boxes of mineral water, 4 boxes of instant noodles, and 50 packages of ready-to-eat rice to break the fast. Meanwhile, in Sawangan Asri Housing, UI distributed aid in the form of 18.6 kg of dates, 40 packs of fermented milk drinks, 40 packs of torn bread, 7 boxes (84 bottles) of 1,500 ml mineral water, and 85 packages of iftar.
Director of Community Service and Social Innovation UI, Dr. L.G. Saraswati Putri, M.Hum., emphasized that this aid is a form of UI’s concern for communities affected by disasters. “As an educational institution that has social responsibility, UI is committed to helping communities affected by disasters. Through UI Peduli Kebencanaan, we hope to contribute to the recovery of residents’ conditions and encourage the spirit of mutual cooperation to face challenges together,” she said.
Through this real action, UI Peduli Kebencanaan is at the forefront of responding to disaster situations in Indonesia in order to ease the burden on residents and accelerate post-disaster recovery.
