Yogyakarta Malioboro Street Vendor Solidarity Raise Funds For Semeru Eruption Victims

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

YOGYAKARTA - Street vendors in the Malioboro area of Yogyakarta who are members of four associations held a fundraising event to be distributed to victims of the hot cloud fall from Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java.

"We, as street vendors (PKL) in Malioboro, feel compelled to raise funds which will later be donated to victims of Mount Semeru in Lumajang," said Yati Dimanto, chairman of the Padma Malioboro Angkringan Association, in Yogyakarta, quoted by Antara, Friday, December 10.

According to him, fundraising for victims of natural disasters is not only done once, but is routinely carried out by street vendors for other disasters, such as during the eruption of Mount Merapi to the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

"There is no target fund that can be collected, because our current condition has not yet improved. However, this is all based on the sincerity of the traders to help other residents who are being afflicted by disaster," he said.

The fundraising will be carried out for about five days to a week, then distributed to victims of the Mount Semeru eruption disaster.

"Hopefully, our assistance can slightly ease the burden on residents who are in trouble," he said.

The Paguyuban chose to collect cash funds, so that later they could be used according to the needs of residents affected by the eruption.

The same thing was conveyed by the Chairperson of the DPD Street Vendors Association (APKLI) of Yogyakarta City, Wawan Suhendra. He said the fundraising was solely based on caring for others.

"We understand very well the meaning of the difficulties and difficulties that are being experienced by residents in Lumajang, because we are also familiar with the difficulties of life, one of which is because of the pandemic that does not end," he said.

Residents who are experiencing difficulties, he continued, need help, so street vendors in Malioboro also try to help by raising funds.

"We pray that the sins of the victims who have passed away will be forgiven, those who are sick will be healed immediately and for other affected communities to be sincere and patient," he said.

On the sidelines of raising aid funds, street vendors also issued a "Malioboro Indah Without Moving" pin as a form of traders' attitude regarding the plan to relocate traders in Malioboro.

According to them, the Malioboro area can still be beautifully arranged without having to move the street vendors who have been selling for decades along Jalan Malioboro.