Kuala lumpur: Pertubuhan Himpunan Lepasan Institusi Pendidikan Malaysia (Haluan Malaysia) has sent its first team of volunteers to Aceh, Indonesia, bringing much-needed relief to victims of the recent floods, with a focus on distributing essential food aid. The team, led by Haluan Malaysia Welfare and Humanitarian Cluster vice president Dr Baharudin Suri, departed from Penang International Airport (LTAPP) today, carrying essential food supplies and medicines.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Haluan Malaysia Welfare Bureau head Abdul Halim Kudri stated that the volunteers would first assess the situation on the ground before providing emergency assistance, including medical aid and initial funds to support field operations. As an initial effort, three volunteers have been dispatched to Aceh to assist those affected by the floods, which have claimed over 1,000 lives, with many others still missing.
Abdul Halim emphasized that this is Haluan Malaysia’s third mission to assist people in disaster-stricken areas in Indonesia, following previous relief efforts during the tsunami and earthquake. He mentioned that the initial focus would be on providing food supplies and medical aid, including deploying medical volunteers, and noted that Haluan Malaysia also plans to purchase additional essential goods locally in Aceh due to transportation constraints.
The relief team has a lorry and two cars transporting essential goods worth about RM10,000 to be distributed to flood victims. It is reported that food supplies in the area have run out, and the volunteers and the aid they bring are expected to provide some relief. The team will carry out coordinated operations from the Haluan Barakah Learning Centre in PD Jaya, Aceh, which survived the disaster but is surrounded by heavily affected communities.
Abdul Halim stated that Haluan Malaysia is expected to send between 40 and 50 volunteers in stages to help flood victims in Aceh. During the 2004 tsunami, the NGO had sent 14 teams, each consisting of seven to 12 volunteers.
Meanwhile, Penang Haluan Malaysia advisor Ahmad Shukri Nordin highlighted that the situation remains critical, with reports indicating more victims have died from starvation than from the initial impact of the floods. He called on Malaysians to contribute by channeling funds through Haluan Malaysia to demonstrate concern for the people of Aceh.
Marwansyah Ismail, a volunteer from PD Jaya, described the situation in Aceh as extremely distressing, with mud floods burying numerous villages under thick mud. Although his parents’ house was safe, several of his relatives, including his cousin with his wife and three children, remain out of contact since the disaster. He expressed hope that they can be found soon and emphasized the mission’s focus on providing victims’ main needs, including food and essentials, before rebuilding their settlements.
He added that his family in Aceh reported the situation as still critical and mentioned that authorities have urged the disaster to be declared both a national and international emergency to enable global assistance.