ACEH TAMIANG – Amid the ruins of houses and piles of mud left by flash floods, the most heartwarming sight was seen on village streets: small children standing holding plastic containers, hoping every passing vehicle would stop to give them drinking water or food. This heartbreaking situation prompted Rotary Indonesia, specifically Rotary District 3410, to go directly to the affected areas in Aceh and North Sumatra.
Past President Kenny, as Rotary Chair for Disaster Relief, was on the front lines helping the victims, including providing assistance to children who approached vehicles on the side of the road. In his report, Kenny described the extremely difficult conditions, with many points still cut off and reports of victims who had not been evacuated from vehicles swept away by the flood. “Yeah… I cried, bro,” he said, describing the difficult situation on the ground.
This humanitarian action was made even more touching by the fact that the elderly volunteers persisted in their presence in the inhospitable terrain. PDG Sumantoro, 72, and Pak Bibi, 78, from RC Medan Deli, walked through rubble and mud to distribute aid. Their presence testified to the strong resolve of Rotarians to serve, regardless of age or circumstance.
At the temporary evacuation site, under simple makeshift tents, mothers and children received assistance from the Rotary team. The bitter smiles of the homeless women, mixed with the tears of still-traumatized children, demonstrated the great need for emotional support. Rotary volunteers not only brought food and water, but also provided hugs, entertainment, and time to comfort the victims, especially the children.
This humanitarian effort involved more than 1,120 Rotarians from various clubs in District 3410. Support poured in from the president and past president of RC Medan Talenta, PDGs like PDG Eva Kurniati, and the attention of District 3420 through District Governor Dyah Anggraini. Everyone acted with one heart: helping those who lost everything in a matter of minutes.
District Governor 3410, Sanny Suharli, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers and to Radar Jakarta’s leader, Faisal, for continuing to highlight Rotary’s compassionate actions during this disaster. He believes the public should understand that the most vulnerable victims of this disaster are children, women, and the elderly, who desperately need attention and support.
As night falls on Aceh Tamiang, Rotary volunteers can still be seen standing amidst the rubble, surrounded by children holding the light of small devices. Amidst the darkness of the disaster, their helping hands are a beacon of light and proof that hope can always be found, even from a small smile emerging from under a makeshift tent.***
