On Saturday, January 10, 2026, 110 students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) along with students from partner universities were deployed in the Collaborative Humanitarian Community Service Program (KKN Kemanusiaan) in Aceh Tamiang Regency. The send-off ceremony at the Manyak Payed Subdistrict Office marked the official start of their service to help support communities in recovery after floods and landslides.

This activity is a collaboration between UNY, Universitas Samudra (Unsam), Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (Untirta), and Universitas Bangka Belitung. Besides Manyak Payed, students will also work in Bendahara District and Karang Baru District, focusing on strengthening education, economic empowerment, and social recovery.

Dr. Iswahyudi, Chair of LPPM Unsam, said that thorough preparations were done, including arranging housing and communication with village officials, and encouraged students from various universities to work together.

The representative of the Manyak Payed Subdistrict Head, Zaini Has, S.E., expressed hope that students’ presence could accelerate recovery in areas still affected by floods, and reminded them to stay focused on their mission and maintain neutrality.

Dr. Banu Setyo Adi, Head of the KKN, PK, PI, and Internship Unit at UNY, emphasized the students’ important role in filling the education gap caused by the disaster — especially for children who have been out of school for more than two months.

One participant, Amelia Sandi, a student in Special Education at UNY, shared that she joined the program to help the Acehnese community, gain valuable experience, and foster gratitude and empathy.

This one-month collaborative Humanitarian KKN aims to create real synergy between universities and local government to help restore social conditions in Aceh Tamiang and to cultivate leadership and empathy among young people.