UNAND KKN Kebencanaan Supports SDG 3 and SDG 11 through Psychosocial Recovery for Children in Lambung Bukit

Padang, January 18, 2026 — Universitas Andalas (UNAND) students participating in the Disaster-Themed Community Service Program, known as KKN Kebencanaan, carried out psychosocial support and mental health recovery activities for children affected by hydrometeorological disasters in Lambung Bukit Subdistrict, Pauh District, on Saturday, January 18.

The activity was conducted by UNAND KKN Kebencanaan Group Kapalo Koto 7, chaired by Noufal Azhariyanto, a student from the Faculty of Law. The group consisted of 23 students under the supervision of field supervisor Prof. Ferdinal. Their presence in the community reflected UNAND’s commitment to supporting post-disaster response and recovery efforts.

Lambung Bukit was recorded as one of the areas affected by hydrometeorological disasters, including floods and landslides caused by high rainfall intensity. In addition to damaging infrastructure and residential environments, the disaster also affected the psychological condition of the community, particularly children as a vulnerable group.

Noufal Azhariyanto said the psychosocial support activity was designed to help children recover emotionally after experiencing the disaster. The program aimed to create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere where children could smile again, interact with others, and gradually rebuild their confidence after facing a difficult disaster situation.

To make the recovery process more natural and less stressful, the students used educational and recreational approaches. Activities such as coloring, eco-printing, and group games were introduced to give children space to express their feelings freely while restoring their enthusiasm and joy.

Prof. Ferdinal stated that the activity served not only as an important social learning experience for students, but also as a concrete contribution from the university to the community. He emphasized that KKN Kebencanaan is not merely about being present at disaster locations, but also about understanding community needs and providing appropriate interventions, including psychosocial support that is often overlooked in post-disaster recovery.

The activity involved around 100 children from Lambung Bukit. All activities were arranged by considering the children’s age, psychological needs, and post-disaster social conditions. Through this approach, the psychosocial support program is expected to become part of a sustainable recovery process while strengthening community resilience in facing potential disasters in the future.

This initiative supports SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being by addressing children’s mental health and emotional recovery after disaster. Through safe, educational, and recreational activities, UNAND students helped create a supportive environment for children to regain confidence, express emotions, and rebuild their sense of well-being.

The program also aligns with SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities because it contributes to post-disaster community recovery and resilience. By supporting vulnerable groups in an area affected by floods and landslides, the activity strengthened the social dimension of disaster response and helped communities recover in a more inclusive and sustainable way.

Through this KKN Kebencanaan activity, UNAND reaffirmed its role as a university that is present and responsive to community needs. The program showed how student community service can contribute not only to physical recovery after disaster, but also to psychosocial healing, child protection, and long-term community resilience.