Some Aceh Disaster Survivors Return Home Ahead of Ramadan

Central Aceh (ANTARA) — Some disaster survivors in Lut Tawar subdistrict, Central Aceh regency, have returned to their respective homes to observe the holy month of Ramadan at their residences.

One survivor, Khadijah, said the decision to return home was driven by a sense that conditions were now safe and a desire to carry out the Ramadan fast at her own home, even though it remains buried in knee-deep mud.

“I only moved back three nights ago. Last night the rain came and I felt anxious, but what can you do — we just sheltered there,” Khadijah told ANTARA on Tuesday.

“We’re about to enter the fasting month. Being at the evacuation centre just doesn’t feel comfortable,” said Khadijah, who had been displaced for the past three months.

Khadijah and a number of other residents returned home despite having no functioning bathrooms or wells due to the mud deposits. Nevertheless, she said they receive a daily supply of clean water from the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).

Toweren village head Sirwan expressed hope that his residents would receive government assistance to clear the mud sediment that still covers parts of their homes.

Sirwan explained that the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police had previously helped clear roads blocked by mud and logs.

“From our side, as village head, I can only propose to the district government that they help clean the homes of our fellow villagers who still cannot return or remain in evacuation shelters,” Sirwan said.

Data from the Aceh Flood and Landslide Response Command Post recorded that 11,657 people were affected by flooding, spread across one subdistrict and 26 villages. Damage to homes was reported at 4,426 houses.