Wanda Hamidah's Struggle Waiting for a Ship to Gaza, Lying in the Port of Tunisia

Kapanlagi.com - Wanda Hamidah and a group of Global Sumud Flotilla volunteers have been staying at the port of Tunisia for over a dozen days for a humanitarian mission to Gaza. They endure the uncertainty of the ship's departure schedule that could take them across the Mediterranean Sea.

With strong determination, they risk their comfort, health, and financial conditions to help others. This long struggle is a tangible proof of the boundless solidarity spirit of the volunteers.

Read more news about Wanda Hamidah at Liputan6.com, come on! If not now, when?

1. Camping at the Port

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

Wanda Hamidah recounted that the volunteers were ready to carry backpacks filled with food and basic necessities for the round-trip sea journey lasting 15 days.

"And if you see on the day of departure, we are all so ready to go. We are all really prepared. You see, we are already carrying heavy backpacks. We have brought food for supplies on the ship. And we were really there at the port. And all the boats were like in front of our eyes. It was really right in front of us, and we were just about to depart. We couldn't because we just found out that the ships were not ready to transport all of us," she expressed.

2. Volunteers Running Out of Funds

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

In reality, the volunteers were not just camping around the port waiting for the ships; many even ended up sleeping there because they ran out of funds.

"If you also see, many participants were sleeping at the port. It's so sad. Oh my god, I'm so sad to see all those people, hundreds of people. They no longer have money for hotels. If you think hotels are free, they are not! So it's like, we're risking our lives, we're risking our money," said Wanda Hamidah.

3. Limitations of the Ship Fleet

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

The available ships are very limited and some need repairs after returning from Gaza, so volunteers have to wait their turn patiently without certainty of the departure date.

"Many of the ships in Tunisia are indeed in a state and condition unprepared. So many are still damaged. They need to be serviced and repaired because the journey to Gaza goes through the Mediterranean Sea, which is quite fierce as well. So if the ship is not ready, it's better to decide not to go. It's a good decision," he emphasized.

4. Challenges of Sailing to Gaza

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

Besides the ferocity of the Mediterranean Sea being a major challenge, the uncertain security situation in Gaza is another reason for the minimal fleet of ships that can depart there.

"It's not easy to find a ship willing to go to Gaza. What does that mean? We haven't even talked about lives yet, we're just talking about ships. It's not easy to find a ship to rent to Gaza. Renting is already impossible. Because the risk of a ship going to Gaza will face the most advanced weapons from America," said Wanda Hamidah.

5. Volunteers Returning to Their Home Country

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

Due to this uncertainty, many volunteers have chosen to return to their home countries, including Indonesia. Although their hearts want to help, time and financial constraints force them to go back.

"Many delegations have already returned to their homeland, including those from Indonesia. And it's not just those from Indonesia who have returned home; there are many delegations from France, South Africa, Germany, and from all over the world. Almost all of them have gone back to their respective countries. The question is, why did they return? Because I hope my friends can think positively in this matter, have good assumptions. Because frankly, the challenges here are really tough. It's indeed very difficult for us to endure," he explained.

6. A Heavy Humanitarian Journey

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

Through her Instagram post, Wanda Hamidah urged the public not to underestimate the volunteers who were forced to return due to the heavy challenges of this humanitarian journey.

"I want friends not to underestimate or mock the delegates who returned. Because you don't know how difficult the journey to Gaza is. Not even to Gaza yet, just in Tunisia, it’s already very tough. And you don't understand how heavy this journey is. So please, please, do not mock the return of the Indonesian delegates who have bravely risked their lives for Palestine. Not only for Palestine, but to stand for humanity, to stand for the truth," said Wanda Hamidah.

7. Hope to Depart for Gaza

© instagram.com/wandahamidahbsa

Even though it is not certain that she can depart for Gaza by the deadline of her capacity, Wanda emphasized that the struggle for humanity and truth will not stop here.

"Today is basically my last day trying to board the ship to Gaza, God willing. Pray that I depart today, on the Alma ship. Just an hour ago, I received a call to depart on the Yemen ship. And God willing, tomorrow, I want to board the Kaiser ship. Hopefully, God willing, pray that I can get on the Kaiser ship. If not, then it’s okay. It means I really have to return to Indonesia. And of course, I won’t stop fighting," she said.

(kpl/rsp)