The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) officially deployed a traumatic counseling team and distributed educational assistance to disaster victims in Tanjung Pura Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The deployment was led by Vice Rector I, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Hum, at the FKIP Hall on Muchtar Basri Street No. 3, Medan, on Tuesday (16/12).
This initiative reflects the university’s social concern and moral responsibility toward communities affected by disasters, particularly children, and forms part of the ongoing UMSU Peduli (UMSU Cares) program initiated since the onset of the disaster.
Vice Rector I Prof. Arifin expressed his appreciation for the traumatic counseling initiative, emphasizing that trauma recovery is a long-term process that requires sustained efforts.
“What we are doing through this traumatic counseling program is truly meaningful. Trauma recovery cannot be achieved through a single intervention; it requires continuous support,” he stated.
He also conveyed his appreciation to the faculty leadership, study programs, and students actively involved in the initiative.
“Thank you to the faculty leaders, study programs, and students who participated in this activity. We pray that this difficult period will pass soon. This guidance and support reflect our shared responsibility,” he added.
Prof. Arifin further offered prayers for the affected communities, wishing them strength and resilience in facing the disaster.
Earlier, Vice Dean I of FKIP, Dr. Hj. Dewi Kesuma Nasution, S.Pd., M.Pd., along with Vice Dean III, Dr. Mandra Saragih, S.Pd., M.Pd., emphasized that FKIP UMSU’s presence in disaster-affected areas goes beyond material assistance, with a strong focus on psychological recovery.
“The FKIP UMSU disaster response in Tanjung Pura represents the university’s concern and moral responsibility toward affected communities. This traumatic counseling program aims to help residents—especially children—restore their sense of safety, self-confidence, and motivation to resume learning and daily activities,” she explained.
In addition to traumatic counseling, FKIP UMSU also distributed educational aid to support the continuity of children’s education following the disaster.
“We are committed not only to providing temporary assistance, but also to supporting sustainable trauma recovery for children through educational, psychosocial, and humanitarian approaches. We also hope to extend similar activities to Aceh Tamiang,” she added.
The deployed team comprised FKIP UMSU’s deans, heads of study programs, and student organization representatives.
Prior to departure, Vice Rector I Prof. Arifin and the FKIP UMSU team inspected the supplies to be delivered to the disaster site, including packages containing snacks and counseling support materials for children. The initiative is expected to help ease the burden of disaster victims while gradually restoring their psychological well-being.
