Tzu Chi's Love and Compassion for Aceh, Then and Now

Journalist : Rahma Mandasari (DAAI TV Medan), Photographer : Liani (Tzu Chi Medan)

Sri Wahyuni and Tzu Chi volunteers in Meulaboh worked together to distribute rice to residents of the Cinta Kasih Meulaboh Housing on June 9, 2024.

Meulaboh is the capital of West Aceh Regency, located approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes' drive from Banda Aceh. During the earthquake and tsunami on Sunday, December 26, 2004, Meulaboh was among the hardest-hit areas after Banda Aceh. The city was devastated, with the death toll from the disaster exceeding 5,000 people.

After the disaster, Tzu Chi volunteers provided short-term, medium-term, and long-term assistance to the survivors. One form of long-term assistance given is permanent housing, specifically the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing, which is spread across Panteriek Banda Aceh, Neuheun Aceh Besar, and the Meurebo Subdistrict in Meulaboh, West Aceh.

Sri Wahyuni is one of the beneficiaries of the Cinta Kasih housing assistance. An honorary employee at the Banda Aceh City Environmental and Sanitation Office, she survived the tsunami and now resides in a permanent home within the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing Complex in Panteriek, Banda Aceh. She became acquainted with Tzu Chi volunteers while staying in a temporary shelter after the tsunami, and in 2006, she received a housing unit from Tzu Chi, which she has lived in ever since.

A total of 1,000 rice packages were distributed to residents of the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing in Meulaboh.

The village head (Keucik) of Paya Peunaga Meureubo and Yantis signed the minutes of the social service event for rice distribution.

Not only did Sri receive housing assistance, but she also joined Tzu Chi as a volunteer and was officially inaugurated last April. She actively participates in various humanitarian activities with Tzu Chi Banda Aceh and has even recruited 15 housewives from the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing Complex in Panteriek to become Tzu Chi gray-and-white uniform volunteers.

"This is my destiny with Tzu Chi. After receiving help from Tzu Chi, I wondered when else I could offer help to others. This is what deeply motivates me to volunteer," Sri expressed during the social service rice distribution event for residents of Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing in Meulaboh on June 9, 2024.

The social service event was centered at SD Negeri Paya Peulaga in the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing, Meureubo District, Meulaboh, West Aceh. Since morning, Sri and Tzu Chi volunteers from Meulaboh and Banda Aceh had prepared 1,000 rice packages weighing 5 kilograms each. Earlier, 100 rice packages had already been distributed to residents of Meulaboh by Tzu Chi volunteers.

Residents of the Tzu Chi Cinta Kasih Housing in Meulaboh also contributed through Tzu Chi.

Tzu Chi volunteers were prepared to guide elderly residents while they collected their rice aid.

This social service initiative also marks a commemoration leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami, strengthening bonds between volunteers and recipients who have largely stayed in their homes since receiving aid after the disaster. Yanti, a Tzu Chi volunteer from Meulaboh, mentioned, "We distributed rice to residents here, many of whom are farmers, fishermen, and construction workers."

The rice distribution was warmly welcomed by Mahyudin, the Village Head (Keucik Gampong) of Paya Peunaga. "Alhamdulillah, nearly 19 years since the tsunami, Tzu Chi volunteers continue to show remarkable care and concern for us residents here," he remarked appreciatively.

Wherever there is suffering, Tzu Chi volunteers stand ready to help. From the aftermath of the 2004 disaster to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Aceh tsunami in December, Tzu Chi volunteers revisit Meulaboh to share love and kindness with the residents, hoping to extend the cycle of goodwill and the Tzu Chi volunteer community in the land of Aceh Darussalam.

Translator: Vissia (Tzu Chi School)