MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Council for Social Welfare of Muhammadiyah Central Board (MPKS PP Muhammadiyah) is preparing more than 1,000 psychosocial volunteers to support flood survivors across Sumatra. The volunteers are part of the Muhammadiyah Social Volunteer Corps (KawanMu).
Chairman of MPKS PP Muhammadiyah, Mariman Darto explained that the training is provided to psychosocial volunteers who will be deployed to disaster-affected areas in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra, with a focus on restoring survivors’ emotional well-being and resilience.
“The presence of volunteers is not only meant to provide physical assistance, but also help restore hope, calmness, and motivation among survivors, especially children, the elderly and persons with difabilities,” he said.
Mariman emphasized that disasters often trigger psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Therefore, MPKS PP Muhammadiyah ensures that deployed psychosocial volunteers are well-equipped to act as mentors and motivators for disaster survivors.
During the post-disaster rehabilitation phase, MPKS PP Muhammadiyah plays a strategic role by mobilizing more than 1,000 volunteers, a number that continues to grow. “Volunteers must be able to respond to disaster situations swiftly and appropriately, as each volunteer represents the good name of Muhammadiyah in every humanitarian mission they undertake,” he asserted.
Prior to the training, all psychosocial volunteers underwent health assessments and evaluations of their capacity to interact effectively with refugees. The training sessions feature materials and expert speakers tailored to field needs.
Meanwhile, M. Arif An, Head of the Disaster Rehabilitation Team of MPKS PP Muhammadiyah and Chairperson of the KawanMu Volunteer Task Force, explained that MPKS has established a dedicated Disaster Rehabilitation Team and KawanMu Volunteers to serve as the technical implementers of the training program.
The training curriculum includes the Life Development Program and Psychosocial First Aid, covering counseling techniques, play and storytelling therapy, initial psychological assistance, and hypnotherapy. Resource persons come from MDMC, Indonesia Humanitarian Center, MPKS, Primary and Secondary Education Ministry (Kemendikdasmen), and Social Affairs Ministry (Kemensos).
Volunteers deployment will begin in early January 2026, following the conclusion of the emergency response phase and the transition into rehabilitation. This deployment will reinforce teams that have already been dispatched earlier to Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
The training program is conducted in collaboration with Kemendikdasmen and Kemensos. Phase I training took place on Tuesday–Thursday, 16–18 December 2025 in Jakarta, and Friday–Sunday, 19–21 December 2026 in Malang, with a total of 300 volunteers participating.
