UNDIP, Semarang (December 17, 2025) – Universitas Diponegoro has once again deployed its third team of volunteers under the Diponegoro Disaster Assistance Response Team (D-DART) to West Sumatra. The team’s departure took place on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2025, at the courtyard of the Widya Puraya Building, as part of the D-DART UNDIP Peduli Sumatera program coordinated by the UNDIP Disaster Management Center (LPPM UNDIP).
The send-off of the third D-DART volunteer team was led by UNDIP Vice Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Public Communication, Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D. In his remarks, he stated that the deployment of the third team is a continuation of UNDIP’s commitment to ensuring the presence of higher education institutions amid communities facing emergencies. The number of volunteers continues to increase—from 10 people in the first team and 14 in the second team to 20 in this third deployment—with a more complete and solid composition of medical and psychosocial personnel. According to him, a volunteer force composed of young people with strong energy and enthusiasm is expected to provide broader, more effective services.
He emphasized that UNDIP wants the people of Sumatra to feel they are not alone, as the entire nation shares their grief. In addition to deploying volunteers, UNDIP is providing support, including water purification machines for sanitation and assistance to UNDIP students from disaster-affected areas. “On behalf of the university leadership, we express our highest appreciation to all volunteers and pray that this humanitarian mission runs smoothly, safely, in good health, and truly benefits our brothers and sisters in Sumatra,” he said.
The event was also attended by UNDIP’s Coordinator and Person in Charge (PIC) for Disaster Affairs in the Sumatra region, Prof. Dr. dr. Achmad Zulfa Juniarto has long been actively involved in strengthening UNDIP’s disaster response systems in the various areas. He explained that the third D-DART volunteer team consists of 20 personnel with a relatively complete and integrated formation, involving medical specialists and residents from multiple fields such as internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, neurology, and psychiatry, supported by mental health nursing personnel for psychosocial services, logistics, and medical nursing.
Before departure, the team coordinated with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the central post at Universitas Andalas, Universitas Negeri Padang, and local health centers, particularly in Palembayan and other hard-to-reach areas. During the five effective days of assignment, the team is scheduled to stay directly in residents’ homes to ensure 24-hour optimal service.
The third D-DART UNDIP Cares for Sumatra team will be on duty from December 17–21, 2025, with the main operational areas in the City of Padang and surrounding regions. The team lineup includes Ayubba Rizqy, S.Farm., as D-DART Field Commander; Budi Utomo (Faculty of Economics and Business); dr. Muhammad Emeraldy (Psychiatry Resident); dr. Deny Trisnajaya (Internal Medicine Resident); dr. Claudya Sephyani P.K. Siku (Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident); dr. Edward Prasetya, dr. Arrizki Azka, and dr. Devi Septiani (Neurology Residents); dr. Febri and dr. Bahtiar (Surgery Residents); dr. Pamungkas and dr. Sakti (Anesthesiology Residents); Ns. Moko Daimi Laksito (RSND); Gustitarissa Valensia and Haikal Nizam Bayhaqi (Faculty of Medicine); Ns. Umi Hani, M.Kep., Sp.Kep.Kom. (Nursing, Faculty of Medicine); Rifdhani Puruhita and Melani (Faculty of Psychology); and Hanifah Eka Rahmasari and Putri Febriyanti (Faculty of Medicine).
Upon arriving in Padang City, the third D-DART UNDIP Cares for West Sumatra team immediately held a coordination meeting with the Head of the Padang City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Hendri, as an initial step to confirm their presence and synchronize field activities. This meeting is part of efforts to ensure that all humanitarian programs align with regional needs and local disaster management systems.
On this occasion, symbolic aid was also handed over as a form of UNDIP’s care and support for affected communities. The coordination efforts are expected to enhance the effectiveness of the D-DART UNDIP humanitarian mission throughout their assignment in West Sumatra.
The deployment and activities of the third D-DART volunteer team reflect cross-faculty and cross-professional collaboration within UNDIP, while reaffirming the role of higher education institutions in delivering tangible contributions to society. Through D-DART, UNDIP continues to provide meaningful and dignified service in line with humanitarian values and a strong spirit of solidarity. (Public Communication/UNDIP/DHW)
