PIDIE JAYA, ACEH —-— Ahead of Eid al-Adha 1447 H, Dompet Dhuafa Aceh held a Meugang Berbagi event for residents affected by flash floods in Gampong Dayah Usen, Pidie Jaya, on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) afternoon. A total of 150 households gathered to enjoy beef curry and watermelon ice, while breaking their Arafah fast together. This year’s Meugang felt particularly meaningful, as it took place amidst a community recovering from disaster.
“Alhamdulillah, the Meugang event at our location went very well. Meugang itself is a tradition for the people of Aceh in welcoming religious holidays, particularly the upcoming Eid al-Adha. The aromatic, spiced, and broth-based dish, featuring 30 kg of meat, was simmered for two hours. As for the cooking, we let the men here handle it,” said Zulbahri, Village Head of Dayah Usen, Pidie Jaya.
Pidie Jaya itself is an area severely affected by flash floods. Many public facilities in this region are still not operating optimally; the roads are still muddy, and logs and debris still litter several road sections. Although the terrain is difficult to navigate, Dompet Dhuafa continues to implement various programs, ranging from temporary housing (rumtara), school renovations, to repairs of auxiliary health centers in the area.
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“Hopefully, this ‘Meugang Berbagi’ event can boost the spirits of the people of Gampong Dayah Usen as they prepare to celebrate Eid al-Adha 1447 H, even under these challenging circumstances. For disaster-affected communities, the Meugang tradition is a heavy burden given that the economy has not yet fully recovered, while on the other hand, meat prices have reached Rp200,000 per kilogram in Aceh,” said Benu Buloe during his visit to the location.
The economy is beginning to recover, and the government continues to pursue improvements to infrastructure and public facilities, which are expected to lift the lives of the community in the aftermath of the disaster that occurred at the end of 2025.
“Meugang Berbagi is an initiative by Dompet Dhuafa Aceh to enliven the Eid al-Adha 1447 H celebrations following the flash floods that struck the region. Additionally, this activity aims to preserve Aceh’s traditions, which continue to be held, and to provide relief to affected communities. Thus, all segments of society can experience the spirit of Meugang,” said Rizki Fauzan, Branch Head of Dompet Dhuafa Aceh. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Bani K
Editor: Ronna