EN-ID Blog
As a testament to its commitment to ensuring everyone has access to clean water, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 6, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, in collaboration with the Kompas Humanitarian Fund Foundation (DKK), has initiated a clean water installation project for the survivors of the Cianjur earthquake.
This achievement was marked by a Clean Water Program Handover ceremony held in Kampung Karamat, Sukamulya Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency, on Wednesday (28/8).
This collaborative program began earlier this year and has benefited 921 people through 225 clean water connections in RW 008 Karamat. In addition to meeting household needs, the clean water connections supply 11 public facilities, six educational institutions, one posyandu (community health center), and four social facilities such as mosques and musallas.
The program handover was carried out directly by the Chairman of the DKK Foundation, Gesit Ariyanto, to the Cugenang Subdistrict Head, Robbi Erlangga, and witnessed by the Head of the TN Wilayah 1 Cianjur Gunung Pangrango National Park, Lana Sari, the Secretary of Sukamulya Village, and hundreds of beneficiaries of the clean water program.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the DKK Foundation, Gesit Ariyanto, said, “All these good efforts are the result of collaboration among all parties over the past nine months. We hope that the water flowing through the taps in people’s homes can provide many benefits to continue life and various other activities.”
Gesit Ariyanto also hopes that the flowing water will remain “cool,” unlike in the past when it made the residents “hot,” so that it can provide physical and spiritual refreshment and harmony for all residents.
Difficulties in Obtaining Clean Water
Hundreds of residents faced difficulties accessing clean water before the clean water supply program initiated by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and the DKK Foundation.
However, living at the foot of Mount Gede-Pangrango does not mean that clean water is easily obtained. In fact, in the Karamat area, there is no adequate water source close to the settlement.
The only water source is the Lebak Salada area, 500 meters from the settlement. However, this water source is not always beneficial to residents. During the rainy season, the water is abundant. However, the water quality is murky and unfit for consumption. Meanwhile, in the dry season, the water flow decreases drastically, forcing residents to compete for a drop of water, even though it is often mixed with waste.
Conditions became even more pitiful when a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Cianjur on November 21, 2022, causing the Lebak Salada water source to flow even less water.
Community Efforts to Build Water Facilities
The presence of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and the DKK Foundation brought a new ray of hope. Clean water infrastructure began in February 2024 and was completed in August 2024.
Dozens of residents were also involved in communal efforts to build three reservoirs and connect high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes from the treatment tank to the residents’ homes.
A total of 15 residents were also selected, and the Anugrah Kehidupan Water Committee was formed to manage and operate this clean water facility after receiving various training from facilitators from Habitat for Humanity Indonesia.
From now on, residents who receive this clean water assistance will be charged a usage and maintenance fee. It is not large, only enough to pay Rp2,100, calculated per cubic meter of usage.
Commitment of the Kompas Humanitarian Fund Foundation
The support of the DKK Foundation is not only realized by providing financial support, but volunteers from Kompas Gramedia also contributed to the workforce, directly building the clean water infrastructure in Kampung Karamat.
A total of 25 employees from various units participated in the young volunteer activity, which the DKK Foundation held for the first time on May 22, 2024. They were involved in digging channels for laying water pipes from the reservoir to the branch pipes of residents’ houses. They also helped carry, connect, and install three pipes, each 100 meters long.
New Hope for Karamat Residents
Thanks to the collaborative program between Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and the DKK Foundation, hundreds of residents who previously struggled with clean water can now live peacefully and gratefully.
There are no more arguments over clean water; all residents of RW 08 Kampung Karamat can enjoy clean water that flows directly into their home taps.
“It’s like a dream. I’m so happy now that it’s easy to get water because it flows straight from the tap. The water is clean, clear, and doesn’t smell,” said Idah, one of the residents of RW 08 Karamat when met at her residence.
