IDEP Foundation

Earthquake Karangasem: Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts

An earthquake with 4.8 magnitudes destroyed East Bali at 04.18 WITA. The earthquake’s epicenter occurred on land, specifically Northwest of Karangasem, which had the most severe impact in Ban Village. Furthermore, three villages in Bangli were isolated due to the earthquake and landslide, namely Trunyan, Abangsongan, and Batudinding Villages.

Buildings that were severely damaged by the earthquake in Daye Hamlet, Ban Village (Photo: EPBPP)

According to result analysis from Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Bali, on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, in Karangasem, 1 person died, 6 were seriously injured, 69 were slightly injured, 1,841 buildings were damaged, and 3 access points were blocked by landslide material. As for the Bangli area, 2 people died, 8 injured, 19 were evacuated, and 323 buildings were damaged. From this disaster, the total loss is estimated at Rp. 64,712,600,000.

In response to this earthquake, IDEP immediately conducted a rapid assessment of the epicenter of the quake. “Today, we immediately visited Daye Hamlet, Ban Village because that’s where the epicenter of the earthquake was,” said Lingga from IDEP.

Interviewing some of the communities impacted by the earthquake

Based on IDEP’s rapid assessment on October 17, 2021, in Daye, Ban Village, there were 135 families impacted, 57 buildings badly damaged, 30 buildings slightly damaged, and some access (streets & bridges) blocked. Ban Villages also have landslide potential, so the community is expected to evacuate to safer places.

The number of badly damaged houses occurred because the building structure was still not good, and the settlements’ location was on cliffs prone to landslides. In addition, information related to disaster mitigation is still very minimal.

Information distribution is also still lacking due to network limitations. This limitation will later complicate the distribution of information if there are aftershocks or other disasters. Until now, the radio network can still be used even though it is limited.’

A temporary shelter that self-built

Aids that the affected community has received include food and other basic needs–but it is still limited. Then, for medical needs that can be obtained through the Ban Village Health Center. However, some assistance is still needed, namely sanitation areas, blankets, and mattresses, because temporary shelters are still open and unsafe.

Temporary toilet for the impacted community

In addition to conducting assessments, IDEP also distributes some assistance based on the needs of refugees delivered by IDEP’s local partners, namely the East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP). “For now, we have only distributed some mats, tarpaulins, medicines, masks, and food,” added Lingga.

First aid distribution for affected people in Ban Village

After that rapid assessment, IDEP will make several efforts based on the community affected needs. The next step is to distribute sanitation equipment and food, then build emergency sanitation and evacuee camps.

Distribution and Second Assessment

The ‘community helps community’ movement still plays a vital role. After IDEP created fundraising for families affected by the Karangasem earthquake, many people immediately donated aid in money and goods. In addition, they also help to spread this information.

Shop for fresh food to be distributed to Ban Village, Karangasem (October 21, 2021) [Photo: Galuh Sriwedari]

The actions of the ‘Community helps Community’ movement were evident when IDEP Team bought fresh food for the community impacted. One of the traders voluntarily gave three sacks of fresh cucumbers to be given to the affected community. In addition, based on the funds collected, IDEP has distributed kitchen spices (such as shallots, garlic, chilies, and tomatoes), fresh vegetables (long beans, green beans, round eggplant, large eggplant, kale, and green vegetables), then disaster education media such as comics and coloring books for children.

When arriving at the post-earthquake location, IDEP conducted a quick assessment and obtained some information, such as the condition of the community that is still living in the earthquake area, by building temporary shelters independently. They needed to take care of livestock as a source of income, so they couldn’t leave their livestock and stay in post-earthquake locations. The temporary housing they built also tends to be unsafe because it is still open and has unsteady buildings.

The condition of the community gets worse when there is no sanitation. The earthquake had destroyed buildings, including the toilets. In addition, Ban Village is a village that lacks water, so they built a water reservoir. However, during an earthquake, the reservoir cracked, leaked, and was damaged. They have not met their needs properly because they do not get enough clean water. Until now, clean water assistance is still concentrated in the village office. Seeing the access to people’s houses that are far away and damaged, the condition of this centralized water is not yet significant.

Community Helps Community: Donating Goods and Funds

Water scarcity was heard throughout Bali, including Punk Pangan in Bali. This Punk community immediately opened donations on their social media. After seeing the Situation Report (Sitrep) from IDEP, they made a list of priority needs that could be donated.

Donation from Punk Pangan [Photo: Gusti Diah]

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, Punk Pangan made a donation post. Then Monday, they immediately distributed donations in buckets, kitchen utensils, and fresh food in the IDEP office.

Discussion and open donation in “Suka Duka di Tana Bali” event (October 23, 2021) [Photo: Edward Angimoy, Gusti Diah]

On the other hand, two days ago, Balebengong–the Citizen Journalism Media–and Taman Baca Kesiman held an event that was also intended to raise donations. They also entrust these funds to IDEP. These funds will help IDEP to realize its strategy in emergency response and recovery plans for affected people. The funds collected from that event are Rp. 715,000.

Third Distribution and Education about Disaster Mitigation with Children

One day after the aid arrived from the community (Punk Pangan), IDEP immediately distributed the aid that had been distributed, plus other needs. On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, the distribution was carried out in two areas, namely the East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) office and the Ban Village Office.

Distribution of food aid at EBPP office [Photo: Made Sukadana]

To EBPP, IDEP distributed two tarpaulins to construct temporary toilets, fresh vegetables, spices, eggs, and fresh fruits. Then at the Ban Village Office, IDEP distributed rice and sweet potatoes, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, spices, eggs, kitchen utensils (Wok, Stilt, Plate, and Pan), and buckets as a water reservoir.

Aid distribution in Ban Village office (Photo: Gusti Diah)

These aids are IDEP emergency response. Besides, other problems need a long-term strategy. Disasters impact not only infrastructure but also the psychological condition of those affected. For this reason, IDEP visited children in Ban Village, especially the Bunga Mekar School, which EBPP fostered.

Starting game about disaster mitigation

As a first impression, children look cheerful and excited. However, when IDEP team arrived at the Bunga Mekar School, they had just done mental healing. IDEP team heard Kadek Sari’s–a junior high school student–story. After talking about the game, new information, and the chronology of the disaster, Kadek Sari finally shared her problem. “During the earthquake, I panicked, then got injured,” said Kadek Sari while holding her leg. She also added, “Until now, I am still afraid every night, can’t sleep, afraid that there will be another earthquake.”

 

Kadek Sari, student from Bunga Mekar School

The quiet night and joyful day slowly drifted away from Kadek Sari’s mind. But there is still little hope. “I want to learn how to deal with this situation [earthquake],” she said.

That’s why IDEP makes efforts to educate the community, especially children in Ban Village, regarding disaster mitigation and environmental sustainability. This education is not necessarily about listening and taking notes but playing while learning.

Snakes and ladders game that makes students full of question

This snake and ladder game contains information about the causes and effects of our activities, including steps when a disaster occurs. When the game starts, questions arise. “It’s nice to learn that there is a game like this, so we don’t get bored and can get new information about the environment and steps to deal with disasters,” said Kadek Sari with a smile. They laughed, cheered each other on, and said, “oh, I see,” as the IDEP team explained ‘why’ they were able to descend through the snake and climb up the ladder in some boxes.

Sharing comics and coloring books about disaster mitigation

Playing while learning makes them remember the information obtained in the middle of the game. To increase students’ knowledge about disasters, IDEP also distributed comics and coloring books with the theme of disaster mitigation. This educational media is given directly to all students at the Bunga Mekar School.

Seeing Latest Condition

Besides meeting the children, IDEP also conducted field visits to see the latest conditions. One of the places was Wayan Minggu’s house. The building was crushed to the ground, several places cracked. Therefore, he was forced to return to his parents’ house, which was not far away. Even though Wayan Minggu fled to his parent’s house, it does not mean that his parents (Wayan Duduk) were not affected.

Wayan Duduk home that badly damaged because of an earthquake

When the earthquake happened, Wayan Duduk, with his grandson, was sleeping. He could not move but tried to guard and protect his grandson as best as he could. Until the building collapsed, and luckily the roof foundation saved them. “The walls are falling to the outside, and the roof is falling, but the foundation is protecting us. It’s a miracle,” said Wayan Duduk.

 

Wayan Duduk never stopped expressing his gratitude because he and his grandson were safe, even though the building was severely damaged. He also allowed his son to build a temporary house on his land.

Wayan Duduk’s temporary shelter (Photo: Gusti Diah)

There is no safe shelter, and the rainy season is coming soon. Moreover, Bali is predicted to be affected by La Nina, which causes heavy rains. Although the village has proposed the construction of permanent houses, the community has not received certainty until now.

In these uncertain times, communities independently build temporary houses which are not safe enough. Wayan Minggu will build a house with bamboo, roofed with zinc go green, and covered with tarpaulin. Moreover, he still has twins babies who are only three months old.

Temporary housing made close to livestock as their source of income (Photo: Gusti Diah)

Wayan Minggu is one of the many communities affected by the earthquake. Until now, they have not received water and proper housing. Therefore, we still need your help to support our affected families to be guaranteed and have a sense of security. Help us distribute the aid, either as volunteers or donate goods or funds.(Gd)

Here are platforms that we use for fundraising:

Kitabisa: kitabisa.com/bantubalibangkit

Fundrazr: bit.ly/SupportBali

Your help means a lot to affected families.

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