Bring out the Smiles of Children and Elderly Victims of Floods and Landslides in Lembata

Writer :

Humas Balai Lansia Gau Mabaji Makasar

Editor :

Annisa YH

Translator :

Karlina Irsalyana

LEMBATA (15 April 2021) - The Ministry of Social Affairs through the "Gau Mabaji" Elderly Center in Gowa continues to make efforts to protect victims of floods and landslides in East Nusa Tenggara Province.

This activity is an implementation of the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Tri Rismaharini, that the Social Rehabilitation Center (Balai Besar/Balai/Loka) must participate in dealing with the impact of disasters not only through assisting with basic needs, but also other efforts to restore the psychosocial condition of survivors.

Besides, the Social Rehabilitation Center in the future will be multi-functional, namely being able to respond to all social rehabilitation clusters, ranging from children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, victims of drug abuse, as well as social disabilities, and victims of human trafficking.

After previously deploying the quick response team to Adonara Island, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, this time the “Gau Mabaji” Elderly Center in Gowa sent the second team to East Nusa Tenggara Province, precisely in Lembata Regency.

Apart from Adonara Island, flash floods, and landslides also hit residential areas in Ile Ape District, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province on Sunday (4/4), around 02.00 WITA.

To prevent psychosocial impacts from the disaster, the team from the “Gau Mabaji” Elderly Center in Gowa implemented Psychosocial Support Services (LDP) for victims of floods and landslides in Lembata District. This activity was carried out in the Central Lewoleba Village Hall, the Hall of the Regional Personnel and Resource Development Agency (BKDPSDM) and the Selandoro Urban Village Office for the elderly and children who were displaced.

The first activity was carried out for 18 children in the Central Lewoleba Village Hall by coloring animal pictures and the ATENSI logo. Apart from coloring, the children were also invited to sing and practice their focus with movement. This activity is guided by elderly companions and nurses.

Furthermore, the second activity was carried out in the BKDPSDM Hall. At this post, all refugees were victims of the disaster who suffered minor to severe injuries, such as broken bones, dislocated shoulders, and head injuries. Victims in the handling of the Lewoleba Regional General Hospital. On this occasion, the team provided psychosocial support through counseling for the elderly.

"Today's activity is listening to the complaints of the elderly victims of the disaster and diverting the conversation to fun things in the past and present," said Subhan.

Being a good listener and directing the conversation to positive things sounds very simple and easy to do, but for elderly victims of disaster this activity is a trauma healing that can make the elderly calmer in facing their condition. This can also prevent the occurrence of prolonged stress and depression in the elderly due to disaster conditions.

"The simple thing that is achieved in this activity is to make the elderly smile, laugh, and feel happy, which is a form of trauma healing for elderly victims of disasters," he added.

At the end of the activity, the team visited the Selandoro Village Hall. The team met Laurensia, a 100-year-old grandmother who is experiencing muscle stiffness and knee pain as a result of this disaster.

The team of physiotherapists provides treatment through exercise therapy by doing stretching the tense muscles and strengthening the leg muscles. They also provide education on how to move properly so that pain and muscle stiffness does not recur.

"Thank you, my body feels lighter and fresher after the therapy," said Laurensia in her local language.

2021-04-17
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