Delivery process of mask and hand sanitizer from ITS in Kejawan, Surabaya

ITS Campus, ITS News – contributed to the efforts to prevent the Coronavirus Disease 19 (Covid-19), this time Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) distributed 6,300 masks to the surrounding community and ITS students still in Surabaya. Activities conducted at three points which is Keputih, Kejawan, and Gebang, this goes in a row on Tuesday (21/4).

Kegiatan ini merupakan bentuk kerjasama antara Tim Satuan Tugas (Satgas) Covid-19 ITS, Fakultas Teknologi Kelautan (FTK) ITS, Alumni FTK ITS (Alfatekelits), dan juga Direktorat Kemahasiswaan ITS. Ini merupakan salah satu bentuk sumbangsih dari sivitas akademika ITS, khususnya pada masyarakat di sekitar ITS.

Dr. Eng Trika Pitana ST. MSc, the dean of the Faculty of Marine Technology ITS reveals that there are still many people who are unable to afford a mask. “If we look on the street, there are people who do not use masks when the government has issued a policy to be obliged to use masks,” he said.

After deciding to donate those masks, the fundings are done through alumni and civitas academics at FTK which started since Thursday (2/4). “We also coordinate with the Covid-19 Task Force which also provides 400 bottles of 100 ml hand sanitizer, so we are not just donating masks” added the lecturer of the Departement of Marine Engineering.

The delivery of masks and hand sanitizer in Keputih, Surabaya which was attended by Dr. Eng Trika Pitana ST. MSc, representative of the Directorate of Student Affairs, the Alumni of the FTK (Alfatekelits), and ITS staff

Trika explained, the mask that is shared with the majority of cotton fabric so that it can be washed and reused. The cloth masks were produced by several selected tailors. Nowadays many tailors are not getting orders, they don’t get any income. “So we can donate masks and help the tailors to get income,” he explained.

The delivery activities took place from 09.00 and started from Keputih, continued to Gebang, and lastly Kejawan. Masks were handed directly to the village. “The village that will later distribute it to the local RW or RT, because they know more data on people who need more assistance,” he said.

Trika admitted they are very pleased with the help that has been given, although the government of Surabaya already helps, the number is limited. “So they hope other community in Surabaya to donate a mask like this,” said Trika regarding the response of the people.

This Ubaya lecturer was grateful that the activities went smoothly thanks to the help of various parties. “There are still about 800 masks that are yet to come and will be directly distributed to the needy community,” he explained. So, later the total masks that were distributed to the community was 7,100 cloth masks.

Do not stop here, Trika reveals, in the future will be held other social activities. Not only masks for health but also from the economic side such as food and other basic goods. “I hope that in the future, the Covid-19 pandemic can be over soon, so the economy improves, the academic activities run smoothly and can do the activity like usually again,” said Trika with full of hope. (meg/rev/ITS Public Relations)