EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Muhammadiyah has deployed its International Emergency Medical Team to help people affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara, or NTT. Agus Taufiqurrahman, Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, confirmed the deployment in an interview Saturday (22/8).
“The EMT has begun operations and has been deployed to the affected areas,” Agus said. “With aftershocks still occurring frequently in NTT, we need field hospitals, including the tent facilities operated by Muhammadiyah’s International EMT.”
Before deploying the EMT, Muhammadiyah had already sent medical teams from Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah hospitals and universities. Agus said at least four institutions had sent medical personnel: the Muhammadiyah Clinic in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara; Muhammadiyah Hospital in Bima; Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah hospitals in Java; and Muhammadiyah University of Makassar.
Muhammadiyah has also prepared a series of measures to ensure that its disaster response remains coordinated and reaches communities across affected areas.
Nine Steps for a Coordinated Response
The organization has taken nine main steps in response to the Flores earthquake.
Firstly, it established a Provincial-Level Earthquake Response Coordination Post at the Muhammadiyah Utama Clinic in Ende.
Second, it established six Regional-Level coordination posts under the Muhammadiyah regional boards affected by the earthquake: Nagekeo, East Manggarai, West Manggarai, Ende, Sikka and Manggarai.
Third, Muhammadiyah asked its East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Board to send a team from Kupang to lead the provincial coordination post in Ende.
Fourth, it established nine community service posts. One of them operates at Muhammadiyah Vocational High School in East Manggarai. The post was initially established through a collaboration among students conducting community service programs from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and Muhammadiyah University of Kupang, along with medical personnel from the Muhammadiyah Utama Clinic in Ende.
Fifth, Muhammadiyah sent support teams to assist the six regional coordination posts. The teams came from the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Disaster Management Center and its East Java Provincial Board. Muhammadiyah deployed them on August 18.
Sixth, Muhammadiyah dispatched medical teams from several provinces. The teams came from West Nusa Tenggara through Muhammadiyah Hospital Bima, as well as from Yogyakarta, Central Java and East Java, to support the six affected regional boards.
Seventh, Muhammadiyah sent humanitarian supplies, including rendang and family kits, from its East Java Provincial Board through a maritime route on August 18.
Eighth, it deployed vehicles to support mobility and aid distribution. The fleet includes two Hilux vehicles from the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Disaster Management Center and Lazismu, two Hilux vehicles from Muhammadiyah’s East Java Provincial Board, and a mobile communal kitchen from East Java.
Ninth, Muhammadiyah prepared psychosocial volunteers from Muhammadiyah University of Kupang and Muhammadiyah University of Maumere. The team will support the psychological and social recovery of affected communities.
Beyond Medical Aid
The measures reflect a response that extends beyond emergency medical care. Muhammadiyah is also addressing basic needs, logistics, transportation and psychosocial recovery.
Through coordination among the Muhammadiyah Central Board, its Disaster Management Center and its provincial and regional networks, the organization is working to strengthen the humanitarian response as NTT continues to face the threat of aftershocks.
The response also reflects Muhammadiyah’s commitment to remain alongside communities during disasters. Support will continue to be adjusted to conditions on the ground, with an emphasis on safety, health services and the recovery of affected communities. (Bhisma)
