ACEH TAMIANG, ACEH —-— Broad smiles lit up the faces of the children who survived the disaster in Lubuk Sidup Village, Sekerak District, Aceh Tamiang Regency. One of them was M Nazril (15). Although he now has to live in a refugee tent because his house was washed away by the flash flood in November 2025, that day Nazril had a reason to be optimistic about the future again.
Through the Dompet Dhuafa Disaster Management Center (DMC) team, aid from the music group Mocca reached the children who survived the disaster in Sumatra. The aid, in the form of school kits, was an oasis in the midst of the difficult post-disaster recovery process.
For Nazril, this aid is more than just stationery. It is a form of care he had never experienced before.
“I’m so happy to receive this school kit. I’ve never received this much before,” said the third-grade middle school student who enjoys religious history lessons.
Read also: Dozens of School Kits to Boost Learning Enthusiasm Among Students in Bireuen After Floods
Nazril’s story reflects the severity of the impact of the disaster in Aceh Tamiang. He is separated from his older brother, who is now taking refuge in Medan due to deep trauma. At school, the atmosphere has not yet returned to normal. Nazril said that many of his friends’ desks are still empty because they still have to help their families clean up the mud and debris in their homes.
This assistance was made possible thanks to the solidarity and compassion of the indie pop music group from Bandung, Mocca. Through live streaming events and the sale of special merchandise, Arina Ephipania (Mocca’s vocalist) and her friends successfully raised Rp41 million.
Previously, the donation was symbolically handed over at the Philanthropy Building, South Jakarta, on Monday (01/26/2026). A representative from Mocca explained that all proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts would be allocated to help those affected by the disaster in Sumatra.
This fundraising process also presented its own challenges for Mocca. The pre-order system: production had to be completed within two weeks. Time constraints: the distribution process coincided with national holidays. Humanitarian mission: Mocca is committed to helping survivors rise from their lowest point.
“What is seen in the media may only be a small part. The most difficult part is rising from adversity to continue life as before,” said a representative of Mocca Band.
Dompet Dhuafa welcomes this collaboration as a tangible form of synergy between artists and humanitarian organizations. The provision of school kits was chosen because the education sector is often the slowest to recover after a disaster, even though it is crucial for the psychological well-being of children.
With these new supplies, it is hoped that the enthusiasm for learning among children like Nazril will remain strong even though their school buildings and homes have not yet been fully restored. The aid we provide is very meaningful to them there. Continue to support them through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil