Ramadan in Simplicity: Celebrating the Holy Month in Displacement Tents

East Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) — Those who have lost everything continue, without hesitation, to share what they have with others — whether it be a portion of food, a bunch of fruit, or a glass of drinking water that has become scarce in the aftermath of disaster.

As best they can, they strive to keep giving. Even in conditions of severe deprivation, the desire to give charity remains alive within them.

They are the survivors of the flash floods and landslides that struck Aceh in November 2025.

The sight of the holy month of Ramadan being observed in displacement tents brings a suffocating warmth to the soul of anyone who witnesses it.

One’s feelings are torn: on one side, these people demonstrate the true meaning of sharing; on the other, there is a heart-wrenching sorrow.

Rather than sheltering within four sturdy walls of a home, the disaster victims are spending Ramadan beneath orange tents bearing the letters BNPB.

Rather than banners reading “Marhaban ya Ramadhan” — the traditional welcome greeting for the holy month — the signs displayed at their shelter read “Emergency Housing”.

“When people give charity to us, we give charity to others in turn. Surely, that is better,” one resident said.

Sharing with one another

“We miss so much. We used to gather together, now we are in tents. We hardly know what to say, but alhamdulillah, we are still safe,” said Firmadi, the head of Lhok Pungki hamlet.

Firmadi is a survivor of the floods and landslides who has been living in a BNPB tent since the disaster struck Lhok Pungki hamlet, located in Gunci village, Sawang subdistrict, North Aceh regency, Aceh.