WEST JAVA — The high intensity of rain is a major obstacle for the volunteers of the Dompet Dhuafa Disaster Management Center (DMC) in the process of evacuating and distributing aid in areas affected by floods and landslides in Sukabumi. This condition raises concerns about landslides or subsequent floods, so the team must be extra careful in every movement.
“We have to be extra vigilant because high rainfall still has the potential to cause subsequent landslides. In addition, difficult road access and limited communication networks are also challenges that we have to face,” said Ahmad Yamin, PIC of Dompet Dhuafa’s response to this disaster, Tuesday (11/03/2025).
Despite facing various obstacles, DMC Dompet Dhuafa volunteers continued to move quickly to provide assistance to survivors. On Monday (10/03/2025), DMC Dompet Dhuafa coordinated with a joint team to hold a SAR operation meeting. This activity aims to develop strategies in an effort to help and search for victims who are thought to have been buried in a landslide. In addition, DMC Dompet Dhuafa has also distributed 100 food packages to survivors and held a Warm Post service in the Langkapjaya Village Hall, which provided iftar food and drinks for 224 beneficiaries.
Yamin reported that the team of volunteers had carried out various humanitarian actions to help the survivors. He also said that the conditions on the ground were quite challenging.
“We are doing our utmost to provide assistance to the flood and landslide survivors in Sukabumi. Our team has been on the move since the first day of the incident, coordinating with various parties to ensure that assistance can be channeled properly,” he said.
In emergency response efforts, volunteers also face the challenge of accessing affected locations that cannot be traversed by four-wheeled vehicles. In addition, limited internet networks hamper team communication in the field, so they use field radios as the main means of communication.
“We have to be extra careful because there is a possibility of subsequent landslides. In addition, difficult road access and limited communication networks are also challenges that must be faced,” he explained.
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On Tuesday (03/11/2025), response personnel from the Dompet Dhuafa Community Development Center continued the search for missing victims who were allegedly buried in a landslide in Cicau 1 Hamlet, RT 13, RW 04, Langkapjaya Village, Lengkong District, Sukabumi Regency. The search is taking place using two methods, namely manual searches by teams of volunteers and the assistance of excavators to clear the landslide material. In addition, the team also continues to provide assistance to the evacuees in the Langkapjaya Village Hall and to continue the Warm Post service for the affected residents.
“We hope to find the missing victims as soon as possible. Our team will work to the maximum, both manually and with the available heavy equipment. We also continue to coordinate with related parties to optimize this search,” said Yamin.
As another emergency response effort, DMC Dompet Dhuafa has summarized a number of urgent needs that are still required, including ready-to-eat food, tarpaulins, clean water, mineral water, mats, and blankets.
Dompet Dhuafa appeals to the public to participate in helping to fulfill these needs. In addition, Dompet Dhuafa also invites the public to participate in helping survivors by channeling donations and logistical support through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/siapsiagabencana. The assistance provided will be very meaningful for those affected by this disaster. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar, DMC
Editor: Dedi Fadil