TANAH DATAR, WEST SUMATRA — It has been more than a week since the cold lava flood or commonly called Galodo by the Minangkabau people, hit a number of areas in the Mount Marapi area of West Sumatra, but the remnants of the disaster that occurred on Saturday (11/5/2024) are still clearly visible. Based on the Situation Report of Dompet Dhuafa’s Disaster Management Center (DMC), the West Sumatra flash flood disaster has claimed 62 victims, while 10 people are still being searched by the Joint SAR Team.
As a humanitarian organization, Dompet Dhuafa strives to be present with various programs to help ease the burden on survivors, including in emergency situations such as flash floods that hit West Sumatra.
In the midst of the struggle, the atmosphere of the upcoming Eid al-Adha celebration will be different from previous years. People affected by the disaster are now struggling to fulfill their daily needs due to the West Sumatra flash floods. For this reason, Dompet Dhuafa strives to be a solution to the difficulties experienced by the community.
On Saturday (5/18/2024), Dompet Dhuafa invited one of its Super Volunteers, Aiman Ricky, to visit the location of the distribution of qurbani meat, one of which will be distributed in the Galodo affected area.
This year, Dompet Dhuafa will distribute qurbani to disaster-hit areas in West Sumatra, precisely in Tanah Datar Regency and Agam Regency. This initiative aims to not only fulfill the nutritional needs of affected communities, but also provide moral support and encouragement in the midst of difficult situations.
In the implementation of the 1445 H Qurbani Animal Distribution (THK) Program, Dompet Dhuafa carries the tagline Kurban 3 Pasti. First, it must be male, which means that Dompet Dhuafa ensures that the sex of the sacrificial animals to be slaughtered is male. This is related to the sustainability of the animal itself, so as not to slaughter those who are breastfeeding. Second, it must pass Quality Control, meaning that the sacrificial animals selected for slaughter have gone through a health check process and in accordance with Sharia law. Third, it must be distributed to remote areas, as a form of Dompet Dhuafa’s commitment to pay more attention to the Disadvantaged, Frontier, Outermost (3T) areas that rarely get to consume qurbani meat.
Read also: Memories flooded, Kartini’s testimony of seeing her house hit by Galodo
“The qurbani in Dompet Dhuafa is threefold: It must be male, it must pass the QC stage, and it must be distributed in 3T areas or in remote areas of the country. Especially now that West Sumatra is experiencing the Galodo disaster. One of the targets of our distribution will be at the point in Tanah Datar and Agam Regency later,” said Novil Oksan Putra as PLT Branch Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Singgalang.
In every distribution, Dompet Dhuafa strives to ensure that the qurbani meat is received by those who need it most, especially natural disaster survivors. With the hope that it can ease their burden and give them a glimmer of happiness on the upcoming Eid al-Adha. The Dompet Dhuafa team had to go through steep terrain to distribute the qurbani meat to the disaster-hit locations.
When visiting the disaster site, various obstacles were encountered by the Dompet Dhuafa Team. The Galodo that hit the Sungai Jambu Nagari area, Tanah Datar, knocked down three bridges connecting to Nagari Sungai Jambu, making the team or anyone who wanted to cross had to pass through the swift river water.
The river, which was originally only 3 meters wide, has now turned into a sea of rocks. Cold lava floods are caused by lahars from volcanic eruptions or eruptions that carry volcanic and other materials along the flow. The material carried by the flood, mainly sand and mud, can cause siltation of the river, resulting in widespread flooding. This widespread flooding can damage houses, bridges and agricultural land.
In addition to passing through large rocks, the Dompet Dhuafa Team also repeatedly got stuck in knee-deep mud flows that had not yet dried up. The continuous rain made the mud wet Tanah Datar again.
“Alhamdulillah, Dompet Dhuafa and I have arrived at one of the places affected by Galodo, namely Sungai Jambu, Tanah Datar. From the trip, it was quite a steep journey, we had to pass through a fairly swift river flow, then what was a bit worrying about this road because this was the impact of the cold lava eruption. So, the flowing water is in the form of mud, so we have to be careful. Earlier, we had entered the mud several times, then there were also rocks. We have to pass through the rocks as much as possible, so the terrain is quite difficult,” said Aiman Ricky.
Ahead of Eid al-Adha 1445 H, one of Dompet Dhuafa’s THK distribution targets is locations affected by the West Sumatra flash flood disaster. This is a ray of hope in the midst of the sadness that has hit. In difficult moments like this, Dompet Dhuafa’s presence is a sign that help and kindness are always available to those who need it.
“My presence here helps ensure that the mandate received by Dompet Dhuafa will be properly distributed to the victims. Insha Allah, sacrificial animals from the Dompet Dhuafa Qurban Animal Stocking Program will be distributed to the Sungai Jambu area. So for the Friends, let’s together help what we have to donate or channel their sacrificial animals to be distributed to residents in the Sungai Jambu area, “added Aiman Ricky. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini
Editor: Dhika Prabowo