BOGOR, WEST JAVA – The research titled “Differences in Infant and Child Mortality Before and After The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: A Large Population-Based Ecological Study” published in 2018 concluded that the child mortality rate due to disasters had increased.
“Especially for children in coastal areas. In 2011, the death rate for children under 10 years of age in areas affected by earthquakes and tsunamis increased by 40%,” the study stated.
“Areas impacted by earthquakes and tsunamis are generally poorer. These disasters significantly paralyzed medical resources and health services for infants and children,” the study continued.
Children and women are vulnerable to becoming victims of natural disasters. In 2017, there were 1,831 child fatalities aged 5–14 and 990 child fatalities under 5 years old due to natural disasters.
Baca juga: Siap Siaga Bencana di Perkotaan, Dompet Dhuafa Latih Pengemudi Ojol Tangguh Hadapi Bencana
In 2018, there were 1,580 fatalities for children aged 5–14, and 849 fatalities for children under 5 years old. In 2019, there were 977 children aged 5–14 and 558 children under 5 years old.
Given these facts, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa organized Earthquake Natural Disaster Preparedness Training and Emergency First Aid Health at two locations on Wednesday (13/9/2023).
The first location was the Student One Islamic School in Curug Village, Gn. Sindur Subdistrict, Bogor District. The second was at the Citra Alam School in Ciganjur Village, Jagakarsa Subdistrict, South Jakarta City.
Baca juga: Produktif di Akhir Pekan, DMC Gelar Pelatihan Siaga Bencana Perkotaan
“Thank you for collaborating with DMC Dompet Dhuafa. Today, thankfully, the children are enthusiastic, learning a lot about disaster mitigation and helping others. We hope we can cooperate again in providing education,” said Ade Sodikin, the Principal of Student One Islamic School.
“We have the SO (Student One) Inquiry and Discovery program, where every student from grades 1–5 gets hands-on experience directly after studying the theory in class. In grade 5, they learn the correct way to assist during earthquakes, fires, and other disasters,” he continued.
Children were enthusiastic about the preparedness training provided by DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
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“Don’t panic and always protect your head with both hands or any other object that can be used for protection, like a school bag,” added Sanadi, a staff member of the Humanitarian Academy at DMC Dompet Dhuafa.
Children learned the actions to take during an earthquake and when providing emergency first aid.
“I’m so happy to learn how to assist people. To help people (by becoming a volunteer), you need to act quickly, conserve energy, and avoid wasting it,” said Azkia, one of the participants from Class 5B.
“We also learned about earthquake disaster evacuation. I’m eager to save people; I want to become Ultraman (a fictional character from a Japanese series),” Rayya, another participant from Class 5A, added to the conversation.
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“Yes, it’s exhilarating; we now understand how to assist people affected by natural disasters,” concluded Kanza from Class 5B.
Dear friends, this initiative by DMC Dompet Dhuafa aims to foster understanding and enthusiasm for preparedness in facing natural disasters. Hopefully, children will become accustomed to and can avoid the severe impacts of natural disasters. Because We Have Only One Earth, Act Empowered Now.