Konawe Flood: Direct Assistance for the Refugees

Doctors and nurses from TIMA Indonesia are giving medical assistance for the flood refugees in Pondidaha, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.

More than a week in refugee camps due to flooding that occurred in Konawe District, Southeast Sulawesi, many residents of Pondidaha experienced health problems. Many of them suffer from coughing, itching, diarrhea, flu, back pain, high blood pressure, and asthma. Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Indonesia also responded by providing health assistance as soon as they arrived in the Konawe area on Monday morning, June 17, 2019.

Arriving in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi, Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) and Tzu Chi Emergency Response Team (TTD) soon coordinated with one of Tzu Chi Indonesia's volunteers, Ricky Budiman, who had been in Konawe District for several days and had conducted surveys on several flooded areas and refuge points.

One of the refugee, Ratemanik (50) is waiting for medical prescription from TIMA Indonesia’s doctor.

Tzu Chi Jakarta volunteer, Agus Djohan is discussing with head of Pondidaha District, H. Muhammad Nur.

Tzu Chi Indonesia's activities in Konawe began by traveling for 1.5 hours to the north of Kendari City to provide health assistance to the evacuation site in the Pondidaha District Office with 375 refugees. Previously, Pondidaha was flooded due to high rainfall and overflowing of the Konaweha River and Lahumbuti River. The position of Pondidaha which passed by the two rivers did not escape the overflowing water that the rivers could not accommodate. As a result, residents' houses were submerged by more than 2 meters.

The presence of the Tzu Chi Indonesian TTD and TIMA at the location of the refugee camp in Pondidaha was also welcomed by the district government apparatus. After coordinating, volunteers immediately set up tents to provide health assistance for refugees. After being examined carefully by the team of doctors and nurses of TIMA Indonesia, they were immediately given medicine and guidance to continue to maintain health while in refugee camps.

This was also welcomed by the Head of Pondidaha who also in charge as the Field Coordinator monitored Tzu Chi Indonesia's activities directly in his area. "Alhamdulillah, I, as the refugeefield coordinator in Pondidaha, was very grateful for the presence of Tzu Chi. "The health facilities in this district have already sunk and the Indonesian Tzu Chi Medical Team is very helpful at this post to serve our community," said H. Muhammad Nur, Head of Pondidaha Sub-District.

One of the flooded area in Pondidaha, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.  The flood come from rivers overflowed and high rainfall in the area.

Front of Pondidaha District Office, Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD are distributing aid package coupons for the refugees

This health assistance also received a positive response from refugees, one of which was Ratemanik (50). Together with her husband and 4 children, she lives in a refugee camp in the Pondidaha District Office because their home in Mondohu Village, Pondidaha is submerged by 2 meters of water. In, refugee camps, Ratemanik and her families sleep with makeshift conditions. "We live with what is left here, rather than at our submerged home. We got a sore waist and cramps, also itchy skin," Ratemanik said. The treatment from Tzu Chi Indonesia greatly helped her who still survived in the refugee camp. "Thank Lord Jesus for getting this treatment," she added. The health service activities provided by the Tzu Chi Indonesia Medical Team managed to handle 119 patients consisting of elderly, adult and children refugees.

Answer to the Urgent Needs
In addition to providing health services, the Tzu Chi Indonesia Emergency Response Team (TTD) also provided assistance packages for residents in refugee camps. After learning about the needs of the refugees, the Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD immediately sought out the relief items in Kendari City.

The distribution of the packages begin with the handing out coupons to refugees according to the data provided by the apparatus of the Pondidaha District. Towards the afternoon, the relief items purchased in Kendari City arrived in Pondidaha and Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD volunteers assisted by several sub-district officials immediately prepared the distribution. The items distributed were in the form of buckets, mineral water, towels, sarongs, women's underwear, and sleeping mats for the refugee camps.

Symbolically, this aid packages are handed over by Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD volunteers and Pondidaha government apparatus.

Chairman of Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD introducing Tzu Chi Indonesia Buddhist Foundation for the refugees.

Symbolically the package distribution for the refugees was carried out by Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD volunteers and the Pondidaha apparatus. "We are very grateful that Tzu Chi Indonesia has set aside its provision to help all of us here regardless of religion and others. Because (their sense of) humanity they care for the community, especially in Pondidaha " said District Head H. Muhammad Nur after symbolizing the delivery of the aid package.

The Chairman of the Tzu Chi Indonesia TTD, Joe Riyadi, also responded to the activities carried out by Tzu Chi Indonesia on the first day when he arrived in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi. "Hopefully this disaster will not drag on. We hope that this assistance can ease the burden of those who are being displaced, "he explained on the sidelines of the distribution of aid packages for refugees.

Evi happiness when receiving assistance from Tzu Chi Indonesia

Happiness was also felt by Evi (22), one of the refugees who received an aid package from Tzu Chi Indonesia. "I’m really grateful, to be used because the clothes are also as simple as here," Evi said. Together with her husband and two children who are still toddlers she lives in refugee camps for more than a week. They also sleep on makeshift beds. "Thank you for this assistance from Tzu Chi," Evi said.

In this aid package distribution, TTD Tzu Chi Indonesia managed to distribute 117 packages for each family for refugees. "We are here so that the refugees do not feel alone and to give them encouragement," concluded Joe Riyadi, ending the first day of Tzu Chi Indonesia's activities in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.

Translate by Alwing Low (Tzu Chi School)