The Independent Volunteer Action of the IPB University Alumni Association (ARM HA), in collaboration with Wahana Muda Indonesia (WMI), has completed the installation of a clean water pipeline for Pantai Kera Village, Simpang Jernih District, East Aceh Regency, Aceh Province.
The installation, spanning approximately three kilometers, was officially inaugurated by the Chairman of ARM HA-IPB, Ir Ahmad Husein, MSi, and the Chairman of WMI, Handriansyah. The event was witnessed by ARM HA Board of Trustees member, Ir Fathan Kamil MM, the Disaster Management Division Coordinator, M Yusuf Salahuddin; WMI volunteers and the residents of Pantai Kera Village.
“This piping project was initiated last January by locating and clearing a spring source that had been buried by a landslide following upstream flooding in the hills of Pantai Kera,” said Ahmad Husein.
Driven by local residents with the assistance of WMI and ARM HA-IPB volunteers, the piping was installed over a distance of three kilometers, traversing hills and crossing the Kanan River, which is part of the Tamiang River Basin (DAS).
“We installed steel sling cables across the river to ensure the water reaches the survivors’ settlements,” explained WMI Chairman, Handriansyah. Residents can now access water at their homes for cooking, bathing, washing, and sanitation (MCK) purposes. Despite relying solely on natural pressure (gravity), the water flow remains strong enough to reach residential areas.
ARM HA-IPB expressed hope that residents will maintain the pipeline to ensure its long-term sustainability. The Head of Pantai Kera Hamlet, Muhammad Sabilah, committed to continuously maintaining and caring for the water piping installation built for his village.
To further meet sanitation needs, ARM HA-IPB and WMI also constructed three MCK units (comprising six stalls) in Pantai Kera Village and Batu Sumbang Village. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HNF)
