GORONTALO – UNG students who are members of the Student Organization Capacity Empowerment (PPK Ormawa) program, are carrying out a community service program in Ayuhulalo Village, Tilamuta District, Boalemo Regency.

In this community service, students implemented a community service program in the form of an innovative Flood Disaster Mitigation Group (KENCANA) program, by providing education to the community in increasing preparedness and mitigation against the threat of flooding.

Field Supervisor, Zulkifli B. Pomalango, S.Kep.,Ns.,M.Kep., said that the student service program aims to increase preparedness and mitigation against the threat of flooding that often hits the area through collaboration with the local community.

"Service activities through the KENCANA program are expected to be a long-term solution based on community empowerment," said Zulkifli.

Head of the PKK Ormawa Group Desy Alimudin explained that public education through the KENCANA program includes several main programs. The program is Geli Bersama Masyarakat (Clean Environment Movement for Trash), which aims to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness, from trash that often clogs water channels which can later increase the risk of flooding.

"Next, there is the Tampan Program (Tanam Ketapang), involving the community in greening efforts by planting Ketapang trees in areas at risk of flooding. Ketapang trees were chosen because of their durability and ecological benefits in reducing the rate of water," he explained.

According to him, PPK Ormawa also implemented the 2Bio program (Biopore and Bioconversion), Making biopore holes to accelerate water absorption and processing organic waste into compost through bioconversion. In addition, there is the Jalur Tikus (Evacuation Point Route) program: Providing evacuation routes and safe points for residents as an anticipatory evacuation step in flood situations.

"While KENCANA is the core program by forming a community-based disaster mitigation group. This group is tasked with educating, as well as providing direction on steps to optimally handle flood disasters," he explained.