Yayasan Dana Kekemanusiaan Kompas (YDKK) in collaboration with Forum Tembang Tidar (FTT) continued the second phase of the Family Safe Latrine Program in Magelang City, Central Java. In this second phase, the Family Safe Latrine Development Program was carried out in Sidotopo Hamlet, Kedungsari Village, North Magelang District.

YDKK and FTT agreed on the Family Safe Program in 11 villages in Magelang City by building at least 83 individual latrines and 56 house channels (SR) to the Magelang City Domestic WWTP system. The first phase of the program has been completed in Kelurahan Panjang, Central Magelang District, which includes the construction of 18 individual latrines and 24 housing channels (SR) to the Magelang City Domestic WWTP system. This program is funded by donations from Kompas Daily readers managed by YDKK.

The implementation of the second phase of the Family Safe Latrine Program was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between YDKK and FTT on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Sidotopo Hamlet, Kedungsari Village. The signing was carried out by YDKK Chairman Gesit Ariyanto and FTT Chairman Untung Argo. Also signing the MoU was the Chairman of Magelang City Bappeda Handini Rahayu and the Regional Manager of USAID IUWASH Tangguh Central Java Jeffry Budiman as supporting parties.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by, among others, Magelang Deputy Mayor M Mansyur, a number of heads of agencies, sub-districts, sub-districts in the Magelang City environment, FTT volunteers, and a number of residents.

Magelang Deputy Mayor M Mansyur expressed his gratitude for the running of the Family Safe Latrine Program. "We hope that this collaboration can overcome some of the problems in Magelang City, especially related to safe sanitation," he said.

He added that the Magelang City government strives for all residents to have good sanitation. Therefore, YDKK's assistance is expected to motivate the ranks of the Magelang City Government, private parties, and residents to collaborate to improve sanitation in Magelang City. Good sanitation will prevent disease, prevent malnutrition in children, restore groundwater conditions, reduce domestic waste pollution, and overcome stunting.

Meanwhile, YDKK Chairman Gesit Ariyanto said that sanitation issues have actually been a concern for the government and other parties for a long time. However, until now this problem has not been completely resolved. Open defecation behavior still exists and occurs in many places.

"We are pleased to see the government and residents of Magelang City pay attention to the issue of safe sanitation and invite various parties to overcome this problem together with a spirit of collaboration," said Gesit.

In the last three years, Gesit added, YDKK has also paid attention to health issues, especially sanitation because this has a serious impact on public health. Adequate sanitation will create a better and healthier environment. Children are also free from various diseases caused by poor sanitation, such as malnutrition which triggers stunting.

So far, in the period 2021-2023, YDKK has carried out environmental sanitation improvement programs in the form of building access to drinking water and healthy family latrines in several areas, including Pucungrejo Village, Magelang Regency; Sukun and Tunjungsekar Villages, Malang City; Mojo Village, Surakarta City; and Magelang City.