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Flood victims in Aceh, Indonesia continue to need support, especially in terms of psychosocial assistance, following the worst disaster to hit the region two months ago. The head of the Flood Disaster Relief Mission in Aceh, Faiz Qayyuum Abd Majid, stated that in an effort to support the victims who are still traumatised, 10 volunteer members representing non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Malaysia were in Batang Ara, Aceh Tamiang district from Dec 31 until Jan 3.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the youth volunteers involved in the aid mission were the result of a strategic collaboration among various NGOs, including the Volunteering Trip Malaysia (VTM), Pertubuhan Jiwa Amal Malaysia (JIWA), IMPAK Malaysia, Satria MIVEC, Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Amanah Prihatin (PKAP), Kelab Belia Tinagayan (KEBAT) and The Helmis Warrior. Faiz Qayyuum highlighted the importance of their presence in ensuring that the victims know they are not alo ne in facing the crisis.

Faiz Qayyuum explained that the month following a disaster is typically the most challenging phase for victims as global attention begins to wane and they are forced to face the crisis with decreasing assistance. The main challenge of the mission is the completely paralysed infrastructure in most affected areas, including access to clean water and electricity, which has not yet been restored.

The lack of infrastructure complicates the daily lives of the victims and demands high physical and mental resilience from the volunteers operating with minimal facilities. The still rainy weather conditions further forced the team to remain on high alert and disrupted the smooth management of logistics, entering and exiting the affected villages.

Throughout the mission, the volunteer team carried out comprehensive work at the evacuation centre, distributing baby kits and women's hygiene kits. The mission was also strengthened by the provision of ready-to-eat meals through a community kitchen for approximately 500 victims, sports activities to treat children's trauma, and a free haircut service to boost the morale of the residents.

One of the youth volunteers from Dungun, Syafiqah Nabihah Shamsul Bahri, shared her experience of participating in her first mission abroad. She expressed a feeling of sadness when witnessing the suffering of the victims living in darkness without electricity and with a shortage of clean water. Despite her initial nervousness about facing challenges on the ground, she was determined to ensure that aid reached the victims, bringing a glimmer of hope.

The media reported that the floods and landslides in Sumatra in late November claimed over 1,000 lives, with 165 people still missing, while over 250,000 residents were forced to evacuate. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Aceh Tamiang recorded the second-highest number of people displaced, approximately 1 15,000, after North Aceh, which recorded 166,900 people.