Community and Volunteers Strengthen Recovery in Agusen

Blangkejeren, Gayo Lues (ANTARA) - The presence of volunteers from various regions has become an important part in strengthening the recovery process for residents of Agusen Village, Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, following the flash floods that struck the area at the end of November 2025.

Sabri, a resident and flood survivor in Agusen Village, Blangkejeren Sub-district, when met at his home on Friday, said that his house was used as accommodation for volunteers for about one month since the emergency response period.

Houses of residents not affected by the flood were utilised as gathering points and activity posts, including Sabri’s house.

He explained that from that location, volunteers distributed logistical aid, shared basic necessities, and coordinated social activities within the community.

In addition, the presence of volunteers also provided health services support for affected residents.

Health checks were carried out directly in the residential areas, making it easier for residents to receive treatment without having to travel far to Blangkejeren, the capital of Gayo Lues Regency.

“I was also treated by the volunteers; they treated me like their own child. My illness is rheumatism. This swelling like this (pointing to his hand), they treated all of it. It was all swollen before. Now it’s healed, insya Allah, no more pain, I can walk around with him,” said Sabri.

He recounted that in the early post-disaster period, such aid was very important because the community’s conditions were still limited, both in terms of access and availability of basic needs. Volunteers helped provide food, clean water, and other daily necessities.

The interactions between the volunteers and Sabri’s family were intimate. They not only worked but also lived together, sharing space, food, and carrying out daily activities side by side.

“Cleaning the land. My rice field land is gone, my sibling’s land, everyone’s land is gone, there are four plots (about 1 hectare). The remaining ones, they helped us maintain,” he said.

The presence of volunteers from student groups, Baitulmal, and professional medical circles, according to Sabri, also had a social impact on residents, including children who received learning support and religious activities in the village environment.

He hopes that support from volunteers and various parties can continue, as the infrastructure and community economic recovery process in Agusen Village is still ongoing.

“We miss them; yesterday they said goodbye to go back for Eid. I don’t know if they’ll come back or not, we miss them,” said Sabri, accompanied by his wife.

Agusen Village is one of the areas that experienced significant impacts from the flash floods. The village has 279 families, all of whom became victims.

Of that number, there are 155 household heads (KK) who occupy temporary shelters because their houses were damaged, even completely destroyed and swept away by the strong currents. The rest chose to stay and repair their old houses using leftover materials from the flood.