One of Indonesia’s most popular tourist islands – Lombok, was rocked by two powerful earthquakes on July 29th and August 5th, 2018. With 563 dead and estimated 1.116 injured, the Indonesian authorities mounted a large scale rescue and evacuation operation. Residents in the affected areas of northern and western Lombok were forced to seek shelter in make shift camps as they lost their homes and were being threatened by continuous after-shocks.
While relief supplies were being distributed by aid workers; some of the more isolated rural areas were not able to access them and with each passing day, the struggle for survival became increasingly desperate. PT Ciomas Adisatwa Lombok, a subsidiary unit of Japfa Comfeed Tbk; teamed up with Japfa Peduli, the company’s Social Investment arm to bring vital relief to some of these neglected communities. On August 19th, Japfa’s aid workers handed out 300 blanket sets, 400 emergency packages, 500 cartons of milk and ready-to-eat sausages to 10 shelter posts in northern, western and eastern Lombok. They also donated and installed Gensats for power generation and military tents varying from commando to platoon size to better protect the most vulnerable members of the communities. For example, in Dusun Amor-Amor of north Lombok, Japfa’s employees were able to assist a family with a new born baby that had been stranded for days without power and vital supplies.
Working with the government’s Public Health Office and Mataram Hospital, Japfa’s relief team also provided medicine and conducted free medical examination in western and eastern Lombok. The medicine had been specially flown in by Japfa to help alleviate the acute shortage on the island.
On average, the country is struck by 2-3 major earthquakes every year, measuring 7 or higher in magnitude.
Many of the quake affected areas are cut off by mountains or the ocean with underdeveloped roads and air infrastructure that prevents aid from reaching the disaster sites quickly.
In addition, post disaster assistance is often lacking for remote or rural communities which continue to struggle with food, clothing and shelter months after the departure of first response teams.
With a corporate focus on rural education; we have rebuilt schools in some of the worst earthquake zones to help children to reclaim their academic development. Given that earthquakes are a re-occurring threat, we apply the same rigorous planning and execution to rebuilding a school as we would in our business operations. From building design to the choice of quality construction materials; quake resistance and ease of evacuation are our highest priority. With our established expertise in promoting health and hygiene; we incorporate structural features such as optimum air ventilation, modern toilets and hand washing facilities in the school design to ensure that the children will inherit a safer and better learning environment than what was destroyed.
Between 22nd September and 29th October 2017, Mount Agung, Bali’s largest active volcano threatened to erupt. As many as 2,000 tremors were registered per day which eventually led the government to declare a no-go zone within 9 Km of the volcano.
On 22 September 2017, the government ordered the evacuation of all residents within 12 Km radius of the volcano. Entire communities; totaling over 140,000 people, were moved to temporary shelters. Japfa’s CSR team and local Bali business unit joined in the relief efforts and provided emergency food and sanitation supplies to the evacuees. Taking into consideration the lack of adequate food storage and preparation facilities at the shelters; Japfa donated eggs, ready to eat sausages, milk and chicken nuggets that were high in nutrition yet requiring zero to minimum preparation.
Some of the Mount Agung evacuees were from villages where livestock farming represents a significant portion of their income. Once evacuated, the affected farmers were completely cut off from this important source of revenue. Entire populations of poultry and cattle would perish in the event of an eruption or starve on abandoned farms. Out of desperation, some farmers risked their lives and returned against government warning to tend to their animals. However, as the roads to the no-go zone had been closed, these farmers were also cut off from the regular supply of commercial livestock feed. Thus, assisting livestock farmers became the next priority for Japfa’s disaster relief strategy. When the local government set up temporary livestock shelters, Japfa stepped up to ship in commercial cattle feed. For poultry flocks trapped inside the danger zone, Japfa’s Bali staff first identified available chicken coops in designated safe areas of the island and helped transport over 30,000 birds to safety. Testimonials of Japfa’s relief activities are available in the video attached.
On 30th September 2009, a 7.6 magitude earthquake struck Padang that caused extensive damage to 3 towns and 4 regencies. The management and employees our Padang unit not only joined in the relief efforts but also raised funds to rebuild the SDN 06 primary school in Batang Anai.
While emergency relief agencies focused on the immediate survival needs of victims; nutritional and sanitation needs were woefully neglected. Our CSR team stepped in to fill the void with nutrition and hygiene campaigns targeting school children in the disaster zone. The team also conducted free health screening for the children and handed out food and nutrition supplements.
Joining the relief operation for the Bengkulu quake in September 2007, Japfa Comfeed donated 2,500 emergency packages containing food and clothing, along with 150 tents which were distributed directly to the victims in Painan-Padang and Lais-Bengkulu.
The SDN Segoroyoso primary school, located in the Segoroyoso village, Bantul, Yogyakarta; was reduced to a pile of rubble by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on 27th May, 2006. Our Japfa Comfeed unit in nearby Sragen immediately rushed to supply cartons of food, clothing, 200 tents and medicine even before electric power was restored in the stricken area. To help the local community recover from the trauma of death and destruction; our local office also began to raise funds for the rebuilding of SDN Segoroyoso primary school.
Within weeks, our architect came up with a quake resistant design using high quality building materials. The building was completed under a year and the new school was inaugurated by the Regent of Bantul to the joy of the community at large.
Throughout the construction period, our local unit also built a make shift school and provided the teaching materials that enabled children to continue their education. The construction of the new school brought hope and comfort to all the children who survived the terrible disaster and became a rallying point for the entire community.
After the re-opening, we continued to assist the school authorities to improve the quality of the children’s learning experience. The school has since participated in various JAPFA4Kids nutrition and the 5 Steps School Management programs.
