UNDIP, East Nusa Tenggara (28/8) – The Medical and Psychosocial Team of the Diponegoro Disaster Assistance Response Team (D-DART) arrived in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The team consists of lecturers, nurses, psychologists, physicians, and students, namely Ns. Marsha Yoke Nancy, S.Kep., M.Sc., Aldani Putri Wijayanti, S.Psi., M.Sc., M. Umar Dani, S.Kep., M. Ilham Deryan Martono, dr. Hasbullah Kasim, and dr. Ryco Giftyan Ardika.
Through this team, Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) is providing physical and mental health services in Kupang City, Ende, Aimere, Nagekeo Regency, Sikka Regency (Maumere), and Manggarai Regency for 12 days, from August 25 to September 5, 2026. The healthcare services include medical history-taking (anamnesis) and physical examinations, including head-to-toe inspections, vital signs checks, and capillary refill time assessments.
“Health screening and examinations for survivors are among the efforts to reduce morbidity rates. In addition to anesthesia and surgical services, psychosocial services are also provided, particularly for children in affected areas through storytelling and sharing sessions,” said Aldani Putri Wijayanti, S.Psi., M.Sc.
Psychosocial well-being is an important focus of the humanitarian mission because disasters affect not only physical conditions but can also cause emotional distress, anxiety, loss, and trauma among survivors. Therefore, assistance is provided through a friendly, empathetic approach that takes into account the individual needs of survivors, particularly children, older adults, women, and other vulnerable groups.
D-DART volunteers work closely with local authorities, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Navy, Gapura Angkasa, the Elementary and Secondary Education Office (Dikdasmen), and the local police. The team is deployed at several locations, including elementary schools and emergency response posts in the affected disaster areas.
Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., Rector of Universitas Diponegoro, continues to provide full support to the D-DART volunteer team, which also serves as UNDIP’s Disaster Task Force under the management of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM UNDIP), with guidance from the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Public Communication. D-DART comprises lecturers, education staff, and students from diverse medical and non-medical educational backgrounds. The team also includes volunteers from both within and outside the university.
May the survivors and volunteers always remain under the protection of Almighty God. Upholding the spirit of ‘Noble and Valuable UNDIP’, the university remains committed to carrying out the community service pillar of the Tridharma of Higher Education. May Motherland Indonesia rise and recover! (Public Communication/UNDIP/D-DART AS)
