Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian National Alms Agency (Baznas) has established assistance posts in 32 locations across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Provinces in response to recent floods and landslides.
Head of the Baznas Distribution and Utilization Division Saidah Sakwan said in a statement on Wednesday that the agency will continue supporting disaster-hit residents by providing essential logistics and services to help ease their hardship and restore normalcy.
“Through the Islamic philanthropic funds donated by the public, we at Baznas remain committed to being present among the survivors and helping them through the recovery process,” she said.
Sakwan noted that Baznas has deployed its disaster response (BTB) team to distribute clean water to residents affected by flooding in Lambung Bukit Village, Padang City, West Sumatra.
“Our BTB team had to endure a long and challenging journey to reach the area, as the main road was covered with mud and wood debris and further hampered by limited lighting. Thank God, we managed to overcome all obstacles with strong faith,” she said.
She described the effort as part of the central government's rapid emergency response to the hydrometeorological disasters, which were believed to be partly triggered by Cyclone Senyar.
“Clean water is a basic human need. At Baznas, we consider it crucial to help disaster-hit residents access clean water,” she said, adding that the agency supplied clean water to 150 families in Lambung Bukit Village.
Sakwan explained that flooding had deprived residents of clean water after their sources were contaminated by mud, waste, and harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that can cause diarrhea and leptospirosis.
The clean water supply, she added, is expected to prevent survivors from consuming unsafe water and reduce the risk of illness.
She also noted that Baznas has distributed food aid to 380 people from 276 households in the area.
