Malaysian NGO volunteers provide psychosocial support and essential aid to Aceh flood victims, addressing trauma and infrastructure challenges in the hardest-hit districts.
DUNGUN: A team of Malaysian volunteers has concluded a mission providing critical psychosocial support to communities in Aceh, Indonesia, still reeling from devastating floods two months ago.
The mission, led by the Flood Disaster Relief Mission in Aceh, involved 10 youth volunteers from various Malaysian non-governmental organisations.
They operated in Batang Ara, Aceh Tamiang district, from December 31 until January 3.
Mission head Faiz Qayyuum Abd Majid said the focus was on supporting traumatised victims as global attention wanes.
“Our presence here is also to ensure that the victims know they are not alone in facing this crisis,” he told Bernama.
He described the post-disaster phase as the most challenging for victims, who face decreasing assistance.
The mission’s main obstacle was paralysed infrastructure, including a lack of clean water and electricity in most affected areas.
This situation complicated daily life for victims and demanded high resilience from volunteers operating with minimal facilities.
Rainy weather further disrupted logistics and required the team to remain on high alert.
Throughout the mission, volunteers distributed baby kits and women’s hygiene kits at evacuation centres.
They also ran a community kitchen serving ready-to-eat meals to approximately 500 victims.
Activities included sports to help treat children’s trauma and a free haircut service to boost resident morale.
Volunteer Syafiqah Nabihah Shamsul Bahri said her first international mission was a deeply moving experience.
“A feeling of sadness overwhelmed me when I saw the suffering of our brothers and sisters,” she said. She was determined to ensure every aid delivery brought a “little ray of hope” to those living in darkness without basic utilities.
The floods and landslides that hit Sumatra in late November claimed over 1,000 lives, with 165 people still missing. More than 250,000 residents were forced to evacuate.
According to Indonesia’s disaster agency, Aceh Tamiang recorded about 115,000 displaced people. This is the second-highest number after North Aceh, which recorded 166,900 displaced persons.
