Relieve the Grief of Earthquake Victims in Pasaman, West Sumatra
Journalist : Monica (Tzu Chi Padang) , Photographer : Monica (Tzu Chi Padang)
The day after the earthquake in West Pasaman, Tzu Chi volunteers immediately provided assistance to the earthquake victims. Until now, the assistance has been given in 3 stages: 26 and 27 February, and 3 March 2022.
A 6.2 magnitude earthquake that struck West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra Province on Friday, February 25, 2022, at 08.35 WIB, shocked us all. The earthquake, which impacted at 3 points in Nagari Ladang Panjang, Binjai, and Malampah, caused very concerning damages; many houses were destroyed (lightly or heavily) due to this severe shaking.
The day after the earthquake (February 26, 2022), Tzu Chi Padang volunteers moved quickly to provide assistance to earthquake victims in Pasaman, West Sumatra. Led by the Head of the Tzu Chi Padang Emergency Response Team, Irwan Tjioe and in direct coordination with Tzu Chi Padang Chair Widya Kasuma Laurenzi, the volunteers immediately went to the earthquake-affected areas. At 7 AM, Tzu Chi volunteers headed to the Kajai and Talu areas, which were the areas most affected by the earthquake. Volunteers traveled about 4 hours with assistance in the form of 500 kg of rice, 50 boxes of instant noodles, 5 boxes of biscuits, and 5 boxes of milk.
Tzu Chi Padang volunteers worked hand in hand with residents to unload relief items.
In addition to providing assistance, Tzu Chi volunteers also paid attention to the earthquake victims in the refugee camps, especially children.
Accompanied by TNI officers (Koramil 0305 Simpang Ampat Pasaman), volunteers headed to the area worst affected by the earthquake, the Simpang Timbo Abu Kajai area. Assistance was given to the Wali Nagari Simpang Timbo Abu Kajai, Mulyadi to distribute the (emergency) food needs of the residents in the refugee camp.
The aid brought by Tzu Chi volunteers was given at the evacuation post as the residents cooked together in the tent. However, in addition to basic needs, the needs of infants and toddlers were also at high demand. Residents were hoping that Tzu Chi volunteers could provide diapers, milk, medicated oil and tissue due to clean water scarcity during the difficult time.
Tzu Chi volunteers with Pasaman Regent Benny Utama at the Refugee Main Command Post, Simpang Tigo District.
The residents’ wishes in the refugee camp were then conveyed by volunteers to the Chair of Tzu Chi Padang, Widya Kusumsa, who immediately agreed to the provision of this additional assistance. In an instant, the standby volunteers at the Tzu Chi Padang Office prepared additional relief items which would be delivered then to the refugee camp by another team.
At 8 AM on Sunday, February 27, 2022, as many as 13 Tzu Chi Padang volunteers left for the earthquake site taking the second relief items the residents had hoped for. They brought 200 packs of diapers, 200 boxes of toddler milk, 200 eucalyptus oil, and 200 wet wipes. At 1 PM, volunteers arrived at the evacuation site and immediately distributed the supplies.
Caring For Earthquake Victims in Refugee Camps
Tzu Chi volunteers also distributed snacks to the children. Happiness and joy were captured on the faces of the children who had lived in the refugee camps for 5 days.
Tzu Chi Padang volunteers continued to show good care for the earthquake victims. In this third phase of assistance, Thursday 3 March 2022, Tzu Chi Padang volunteers aimed for Guguang Jorong Siparayo Nagari Malampah area. At 7 AM the volunteers started off the 3-hour trip to the location. At 09.30 the volunteers arrived at the main post for the refugees in Simpang Tigo District. After coordinating with the Regent of Pasaman, Beny Utama, Tzu Chi volunteers could not move on to the location since the bridge connecting to the Nagari Malampah was cut off due to the earthquake.
After discussion, Tzu Chi volunteers then decided to drop the relief items at the main post and handed them over to the people who had fled in tents. Rice (600 kgs), formula milk (50 boxes), diapers (100 packs), milk (9 boxes) as well as bread, blankets, sarongs, medicated oil, and other daily necessities from other volunteers were distributed.
The attention shared by volunteers was meant to lighten the burden of the earthquake victims.
Tzu Chi volunteers also distributed snacks such as bread and milk to the children. Happiness and joy were seen on the faces of the children who had been living in the refugee camps for 5 days. The volunteers felt deeply touched by the children’s laughter and sincerity despite the difficult situation and condition.
One of the earthquake victims was the Mafriwanto couple (56) and his wife, Yunita (45). Mafriwanto recounted the incident during the earthquake that shook the area where he lived. That morning, around 8 AM, as usual Mafriwanto went to work on the field. Right after he arrived, at the foot of the hill, the first earthquake rocked the Nagari Malampah area.
Mafriwanto, one of the residents, told how he and his family tried to escape from the earthquake. Mafriwanto's own family survived, but his brother-in-law's family (son and wife) died in the landslide.
Mafriwanto immediately ran to the house to look for his wife and children. When he got home, a second earthquake with higher magnitude happened; it caused destruction of people's houses as large stones and trees fell from the hills, sweeping the ground and the villages below. Immediately, Mafriwanto took his wife and children to move to. "We are grateful that all of our families are safe," said Mafriwanto. Unfortunately, Mafriwanto's brother-in-law and his family (his wife and two children) could not survive, and Yunita was devastated. His own body was only found 4 days later (March 1, 2022) under a 2-meter of debris landslide.
In the midst of the calamity, Mafriwanto and Yunita felt grateful that there were a lot of parties who showed care, concern and support including the Indonesian Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. "We are very grateful for your help and concern. All of you have come all the way here to support us,” said Mafriwanto movingly.
Translator: Vissia Budi Apriliana, Sweete (Tzu Chi School)
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