Having Fun with Children in Evacuee Camps

MAJENE (July 24, 2022) - A look of happiness could be seen on the faces of the children displaced by the Majene earthquake. Following the guidelines of the Ministry of Social Affairs' Psychosocial Support Service Team, they sang together, clapped, and cheered.

Being in evacuee camps did not reduce the happiness on their faces. Last Saturday was a special moment for them, which coincided with the commemoration of National Children's Day (HAN).

Their happiness was complete. President Joko Widodo also greeted the children through long-distance communication. At the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, HAN 2022 is also celebrated nationally with various activities.

Through the Directorate of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA), MoSA invited children affected by the earthquake in evacuee camps in Mekatta Village, Malunda District, Majene Regency, West Sulawesi to participate in celebrating HAN 2022, Saturday 23 July.

PSKBA Director Iyan Koesmadiana said today's activity aims to facilitate children in evacuee camps with HAN activities organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Protection (KPPA) to be connected virtually.

"Today we are taking part in the HAN activity carried out by KPPA through a virtual meeting. There was Mr. Jokowi who also greeted via zoom," he said.

MoSA started HAN 2022 series on July 21 and will end on August 1, 2022.

"We have started since yesterday (21/7). Tagana Goes to School has been implemented at eleven points, then there was the planting of 10,000 mangrove trees with the children," he explained.

Tagana Goes to School (TMS) has been completed in 8 elementary schools, 1 junior high school, 1 MTs (Islamic junior high school), and 1 vocational school. Iyan said TMS aims to increase the capacity of children in disaster-prone locations to be ready to face potential disasters in their area.

Meanwhile, from the health aspect, Iyan said PSKBA cooperated with the Integrated Center Prof. Dr. Soeharso Solo and Pangurangi Center Takalar to provide health facilities.

"Today (23/7) together with the Center, we are holding a mass circumcision, eye and dental examinations, and also vaccines for children," he said. According to Iyan, his party has carried out health checks on 41 of the 450 child victims of evacuees, which will not be carried out during the series of activities until August 1.

On the other hand, PSKBA has also started the construction of SDN 28 Aholeang which was affected by the earthquake.

"On the instructions of the Minister, today we are starting the construction of a school at SDN 28 Aholeang. Three classroom units will be built, each measuring 6x6 (meters). We will build 2 toilet units, right and left sides," he said.

Iyan said that the construction of the classrooms will be made permanently and resistant to earthquakes so that they can be used as multifunction rooms or temporary shelter locations in the event of a disaster.

Not only that, on the same occasion, MoSA has also distributed school equipment assistance packages to 141 children out of 450 children who have been assessed.

Furthermore, to provide fulfillment of civil rights, PSKBA facilitates the issuance of birth certificates and identity cards for disaster victims in temporary shelter locations.

"We also facilitate the making of birth certificates and child identity cards. Symbolically, there were 10 children, others will follow and the target will be completed on August 1," said Iyan.

Finally, he said that the series of HAN activities will continue until the peak event which will be held on August 1 in East Lombok.

"In total there are 700 children affected by the earthquake in Majene, which is our target, so we still have a lot of work to do until the peak event later," he said.

HAN commemoration at the Mekatta Village evacuee camp was attended directly by Majene Regent H.A Achmad Syukri, Majene Deputy Regent Aris Munandar, Regional Secretary Majene Ardiansyah, and Majene Forkopimda elements.