Recovering the Small Heaven at the Foot of Mount Rinjani

Journalist : Arimami Suryo A., Photographer : Arimami Suryo A.

The happiness of Sembalun Village people, East Lombok after receiving logistic support from Tzu Chi Indonesia.

Located at an altitude of 800 to 1.200 meters above sea level, Sembalun district, East Lombok, NTB has become the hardest affected location to be reached. In this location, the heavy machines were not able to reach and clean the people’s houses that were damaged and collapsed due to the earthquake. Therefore, the locals worked together to clear up the ruins themselves.

This region that has a beautiful and eye-catching landscape is located right at the eastern slope of Mount Rinjani and has cold temperature. People who usually stayed at their houses, now had to stay at the emergency tents due to the earthquake with cold gust of wind from the mountain. Friday, August 31, 2018, Tzu Chi Indonesia who were focusing at East Lombok area for the distribution of the third wave of aid, also delivered assistance to Sembalun district.

After passing the uphill road for 2.5 hours from West Lombok where Tzu Chi Indonesia had put up a relief post, volunteers arrived at Sembalun Village office, Sembalun district. The arrival of the volunteers from Tzu Chi Indonesia was immediately welcomed by the village apparatus and Sembalun Koramil, East Lombok. Without wasting much time, the volunteers coordinated to hand out coupons to the people of Sembalun Village through the Village Head as well as the Village Chief of that region.

“We had surveyed the area beforehand, because Sembalun is the farthest and the most difficult area to get to. And we (Tzu Chi) were expected to help remote areas and be right on target for people who really need help,” said Joe Riadi, Head of Emergency Response Team of Tzu Chi Indonesia. The aid was prioritized for mother with children, other than that, because of the cold air around the village, Tzu Chi also prioritized sarongs, tarpaulins, and blankets. “We hope these, can support their lives during recovery,” Joe Riadi added.

Enthusiastic locals from the 6 hamlets in Sembalun Village upon receiving the coupons from Tzu Chi Indonesia at courtyard of Sembalun Village office.

Joe Riadi, Head of Tim Tanggap Darurat (TTD) Tzu Chi Indonesia was introducing to Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation to the people of Sembalun Village.

Sembalun district consists of 6 villages with 7.400 family heads. Tzu Chi gave out support in this region for two days (August 31 – September 1, 2018). “Today, we first gave 2.400 aid packages for 2 villages in Sembalun district because of the limited time and we will continue tomorrow,” said Joe Riadi. Both villages consist of 6 hamlets, which are Dusun Mentagi, Dusun Dasan Tengah, Dusun Ledang Luar, Dusun Berugak Mujur, Dusun Dasan Bantek, and Dusun Tegak Timur.

The supports that were given by Tzu Chi in Sembalun region also received an appreciation from the village apparatus who welcomed Tzu Chi, who was willing to meet the locals directly. “We, in the name of Sembalun Village Officials, would like to thank Tzu Chi who still cares for the people in this remote area,” said Harmini (38), Head of Sembalun village.

Harmini (left), Head of Sembalun Village led the people to queue when they were about to receive help from Tzu Chi.

The volunteers from Tzu Chi Padang participated in distributing aid as well as interacting warmly with the people of Sembalun Village.

According to Harmini, the impact from the earthquake was quite visible in Sembalun Village such as in terms of economy and community activities that were paralyzed. “Generally, the people are still in trauma and live outside the house. They are still afraid to continue with their daily activities,” said Harmini. Other than logistic support for daily needs, Tzu Chi also gave lorries (small cart) as means of transporting building debris due to the absence of heavy equipment.

The earthquake which repeatedly shook Lombok had inflicted fear upon the people, one of which is Inajani (40). At the time of the incident, precisely during the second big earthquake measuring 7 SR, she was at home with her 7 family members. “During the big earthquake, I was praying, when the ground trembled, I immediately ran away and recited takbir loudly and called other residents to come out from their houses,” said Inajani. Since then, she and her family decided to stay outside because her house was damaged and she was afraid that her child would be hit by building materials.

Inajani brought her two-year-old child to get logistic support from Tzu Chi Indonesia.

The help given by Tzu Chi was also felt directly by Inajani whose husband worked as a farmer. With her two-year-old child, she patiently queued to receive the aid. “Alhamdulillah, we all get this support, because in this place, it is difficult to make money. So, these things are very helpful,” said Inajani during the aid distribution located on the field in front of Sembalun village office.

In addition to providing logistic support, Tzu Chi also plans to bring medical team from TIMA Indonesia to Sembalun district for the second day activity (September 1, 2018) because previously the medical team from TIMA Indonesia was split to provide health services to the people in North Lombok region.

Translated by Stefanny Doddy

Edited by Wida Maryani (Tzu Chi School)