Ministry of Social Affairs Presents to Provide Psychological Support Services for Flood Affected Residents in Kudus

PATI (February 8, 2021) - Due to the high rainfall and overflowing water of the Wulan River and Juana River, located in Kudus Regency, Central Java, on February 4, 2021, there was a flood that submerged several areas of Kudus Regency.

Based on data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) released on Monday, 8 February 2021, there are 3 affected Districts, consisting of Jati Subdistrict, 3 villages, Undaan Subdistrict, 4 villages, and Mejobo Subdistrict 6 villages.

The flood resulted in a total of 4,420 houses being submerged and 5,747 families affected, but there were no casualties. Some evacuation posts and public kitchens have been established at several points to accommodate and protect the refugees. Most of the IDP camps are occupied by vulnerable groups consisting of the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities.

Responding to the flood disaster, the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Mental Disabilities (BRSPDM) Margo Laras Pati carried out Psychosocial Support Services (LDP) activities for flood-affected victims who were at the IDP Command Post.

The services provided include creating a happy and cheerful atmosphere for children and providing motivation and consultation for women and the elderly.

On this occasion, Jiwaningsih as the head of BRSPDM Margo Laras Pati who was overseeing this activity said that the purpose of this activity was to make the refugees happy and reduce the traumatic impact of the disaster. "I personally oversee this activity so that our Emergency Response team is more enthusiastic in providing LDP services so that they can provide benefits optimally for the refugees, he concluded.

One of the refugees in the Village Hall Karangrowo, Mrs. Kasmilah, revealed that the flooding that occurred this year was very large, different from the usual years and the last similar incident happened in 2014.

Kasmilah --evacuated with her daughter and grandchildren-- also said that in the evacuation, there needed to be adjustments because they gathered with many people, but the presence of the LDP team helped to make her grandchildren happy, and hoped that the floods would recede soon so that they could return to their activities soon.