Spatial Data to Enhance The Logistic Distribution for Victims in Palu Earthquake

On 28th September 2018, a 7.4 Richter Scale of earthquake caused a devastating effect in Palu, Sigi, and Donggala, Central Sulawesi. This major earthquake triggered a tsunami and soil liquefaction. Reported on 2nd October 2018, 1234 victims had been identified based on National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB). Strategic infrastructure such as the iconic Ponulele Bridge, hospitals, schools, malls, and houses was severely damaged and destroyed. Electricity tower was crumbled and communication tower of Mutiara Sis-Aljufri airport has been deteriorated. This 10km depth of earthquake made the entire city trapped in a blackout and commercial flights are temporarily disabled. Thousands of victims are homeless, countless families were separated. People were in desperate need of food and they hoped that the distribution of food can be made as fast as possible.

Based on those needs, Faculty of Geography Universitas Gadjah Mada acted on the emergency response by creating Task Force to provide spatial data to assist the volunteers in distributing the logistics. First, data-gathering was conducted. A Google Form was voluntarily initiated by the 6th batch of SMA Madani Palu on 30th September to list down the shelters in the affected area. It started from a group chat of the local Palu students that currently live outside Palu that ask “What can we do to help our hometown?” Then the idea to create a Google Form pops out and directly shared to all of our social media…