KENDARI, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI -– Floods that hit several areas in Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi, on Sunday (June 29, 2025) were immediately responded to by Dompet Dhuafa, which deployed a team from its Disaster Management Center (DMC).
There, they swiftly provided assistance, including evacuating residents, setting up Warm Shelters, and providing medical services for flood survivors. The DMC team from Dompet Dhuafa was immediately deployed to one of the hardest-hit areas, namely Lepo-Lepo in Baruga District, Kendari City.
Hasan Zulhida, one of the DMC team members at the location, reported that the team arrived at 1:00 p.m. local time and immediately coordinated with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Kendari City, Basarnas, and the Social Affairs Office of Southeast Sulawesi to accelerate disaster response efforts.
“Upon arriving at the flood site, our team was divided into several groups to provide various types of assistance,” said Hasan. “Some focused on evacuating residents trapped in their homes to safe areas, while others helped set up communal kitchens, warming stations, and evacuation tents,” explained Hasan.
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Hasan also explained that the water level began to recede as rainfall intensity decreased, allowing some residents to start returning to their homes.
Amid the challenging conditions caused by disrupted daily activities, DMC Dompet Dhuafa is striving to alleviate the burden on survivors by providing food and beverages through its Warm Pos service. Moving forward, DMC Dompet Dhuafa also plans to establish a Psychological First Aid (PFA) service specifically for survivors, particularly children, to assist in post-disaster trauma recovery. Additionally, a community kitchen will be established to meet the survivors’ needs for substantial meals.
The DMC Dompet Dhuafa team is also conducting assessments in the affected areas to identify the residents’ basic needs. Initial reports indicate that urgent requirements include medications, clean water, logistics, tarpaulins, and school supplies.
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The flooding, which submerged at least 150 houses, was caused by heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers. According to the head of the Kendari City Disaster Management Agency, Cornelius Padang, as reported by Antara News, heavy rainfall over the past three days was the main cause of flooding in six areas in Kendari, including Lepo-Lepo Village, Kampung Salo, Punggaloba Village, and Tipulu Village.
“Due to the heavy and continuous rainfall, several areas in this region have been hit by flooding, landslides, and fallen trees, according to reports from residents,” added Cornelius.
Dompet Dhuafa hopes the floods will subside soon and all survivors in Kendari can endure these difficult conditions. Join us in helping them through EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Food Packages for Disaster Survivors. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Muhammad Afriza Adha, DMC
Editor: Dhika