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This activity was motivated by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake in the Flores Sea on December 14, 2021, which shook the islands in Pasilambena District. Disaster preparedness education has become crucial, considering that Pasilambena is the farthest district from the regency capital, located about 193 km away, with six villages all situated along the coast. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Selayar Islands Regency, Pasilambena District has not yet been equipped with an earthquake or tsunami early warning system, despite its vulnerability to seismic events that could strike at any time.

The implementation of this community service program was initiated by Dr.rer.nat. Rima Rachmayani as the lead coordinator, together with Karina Aprilia Sujatmiko, Ph.D., and Dr.Eng. Faruq Khadami from the Oceanography Study Program, ITB. The team also included members from the Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering Study Program, ITB, namely Brian Bramanto, Ph.D. and Gabriella Alodia, Ph.D., the latter also serving as the lead coordinator of the community service program titled SADAR Bencana (Preparedness and Anticipation for Disaster-Prone Areas). The program further involved the local government, represented by Hasriani, S.Pi. from the Fisheries Office of Selayar Islands Regency and Sulviana from the local community. In addition, the activity also engaged the International Relations Study Program, Universitas Brawijaya, with Dewa Ayu Putu Eva Wishanti, Ph.D. as a resource person.

This program also involved several students from the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology (FITB) ITB, namely Nabilah Shafira Milennianti, Shifa Putri Utami, and Daffa Zettira Mazdhania, who were responsible for mapping the potential of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass in Kalaotoa, Karumpa, and Madu Islands. Meanwhile, Riyadi Zakia Syahrulloh and Sri Wulandari developed tsunami evacuation route recommendation maps for the villages in Pasilambena District. In addition, Luqmannul Hakim and Syafrizal Hidayat designed a sea-level detection device, which was then tested on Kalaotoa Island.

At the beginning of the program, on Saturday (September 6, 2025), the team arrived at Kawawu Pier and installed the sea-level detection device “VARUNA WATCH.” This instrument was developed as a prototype project from the Introduction to Oceanographic Instruments course. Equipped with an MS5803 pressure sensor, the device functions to measure sea surface height. Powered by solar energy, “VARUNA WATCH” is expected to operate sustainably on small islands with limited electricity supply.

The program then continued with marine resource potential education for elementary and junior high school students through interactive learning on ocean phenomena such as coral bleaching, coastal erosion-sedimentation, and sea-level rise. Following this, participants were also introduced to mitigation efforts and disaster evacuation measures.

Similar education was also provided to village officials and local communities with the aim of raising awareness to both preserve and develop marine resources, delivered by Dr.rer.nat. Rima Rachmayani. Subsequently, Karina Aprilia Sujatmiko, Ph.D. presented tsunami mitigation and evacuation plans while handing over evacuation route maps to village officials. The program continued with a workshop on establishing community-based disaster preparedness teams, facilitated by Dewa Ayu Putu Eva Wishanti, Ph.D.

"Pasilambena District, which still faces infrastructure limitations and even struggles with electricity and freshwater access, highlights the importance of continuous support for the local community," said Karina Aprilia Sujatmiko, Ph.D.

Through this ITB community service program, the GUARDIAN and RESCUE teams hope that the marine resource potential and disaster preparedness education activities can serve as a concrete first step. By recognizing and managing local potential, communities are expected to protect their regions and improve their livelihoods. At the same time, disaster preparedness education is expected to foster awareness and resilience among the people in facing potential disasters that may occur at any time.