SAREE, ACEH — The Dompet Dhuafa team had to struggle not only with difficult terrain, but also with a vital logistics crisis on their way to the flood disaster site in Bireuen, Aceh. The latest report from the team in the field said that they faced a bitter reality in the affected area, namely uncertainty over fuel supplies, which triggered panic buying and long queues that wasted time.
The humanitarian team’s journey began in Banda Aceh at around 3:00 p.m. With an estimated travel time of four hours, the team hoped to arrive in Bireuen before nightfall. However, their plans were delayed in Saree, a point considered important for filling up their vehicles’ tanks before entering an area that was expected to be more difficult to reach.
“There was no signal, the electricity was out, and residents were panic buying,” said Riza Muthohar, a Dompet Dhuafa reporter, describing the situation in Saree.
Amidst the power outage and communication breakdown, the need for fuel became an urgent priority for both residents and the aid team. This led to an unavoidable sight: long queues at the public fuel station (SPBU).
“We waited in line at the gas station from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. before we could get our turn for gasoline,” Riza added.
This means that the volunteer team had to spend around 4.5 hours just to get fuel. This is a very crucial time to immediately distribute aid to the affected locations. This long waiting time is a clear symbol of how disrupted the basic logistics chain is after a disaster, where every drop of fuel determines mobility and response speed.
After a long struggle at the Saree gas station, the team continued their journey to Bireuen. This full refueling provided some relief, although challenges ahead—including road conditions and logistics availability at the location—still awaited.
Currently, difficulty in finding a signal is a major obstacle to reporting and coordination needs. To overcome this vital problem, the team has prepared an emergency plan.
“To send data, we brought a network modem and media center,” added Riza.
Upon arrival in Bireuen, the Dompet Dhuafa team plans to immediately interact with survivors by “staying” at residents’ emergency posts. This is part of an effort to deeply understand the real needs of the community and plan to continue aid distribution activities the following day.
Read also: Aid Post and Public Kitchen Set Up for Flood Survivors in Pidie, Aceh
The team’s journey provides a clear picture of humanitarian efforts at the disaster site. It is not only about evacuation and logistics distribution, but also the silent struggle against crippled infrastructure challenges, from power outages to the scarcity of fuel, which has caused panic among residents.
At the same time, we can reignite the spirit of solidarity and mutual aid by donating or supporting humanitarian actions through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika, Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dedi Fadlil