Zaskia Adya Mecca Reveals the Suffering of Flood Victims in Sumatra, Heartbroken by Minimal Aid

Zaskia recounts that at every step, there is always a heart-wrenching story from the refugees she encounters. 

"Don't ask how my heart feels right now. What it feels like to see our brothers and sisters struck by disaster, everything they have fought for gone in an instant. The home that has always been their comfortable place to return to, to seek shelter. The grocery store business that has supported a family with 3 children, buried in an instant. Leaving nothing behind, not even a roof over their heads," Zaskia expressed in her post. 

"This is just a snippet of the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of stories from those affected by the floods in Sumatra right now. Every step I take, I meet other refugees, and there is always a story that tightens the chest," she continued. 

Zaskia's journey to the Pidie Jaya region opened her eyes to the fact that this disaster is not a small matter. She referred to this flood as a major disaster with very limited handling conditions.

"The aid is extremely minimal (even though the area is not cut off and is close to the main road), the government's response feels slow, and the residents are holding on as best as they can independently. There is no electricity, no clean water, food supplies are running low, and there is mud as high as the roof of their houses," she stated.

I don't know how many mothers, when I looked into their eyes and held their hands, immediately broke down in tears saying, 'I'm tired... I can't hold on but I have to be strong... I don't know what will happen next. Please help us, we need assistance,'" Zaskia recalled when interacting with the flood victims.

In her message, Zaskia emphasized that this is not the time to criticize how others help, but rather to move together as much as we can. 

She urged everyone to take part, starting from spreading information, collecting funds, to getting directly involved if possible.