BIREUEN, ACEH —-— Residents of Krueng Simpo Village, Juli Subdistrict, and Salah Sirong Village, Jeumpa Subdistrict, Bireuen, are once again isolated and cut off from access. The main bridge remains destroyed following the flash floods and landslides that occurred in November 2025, and the temporary bridge connecting the subdistricts was recently damaged by high river currents during heavy rains on Sunday (February 15, 2026).
To carry out activities and cross the river, they are now using an emergency sling bridge, a community initiative where residents pull on both sides of the bridge. If using an alternative route, it takes about two hours to go around the palm oil plantations and extreme land routes.
In addition to hitting the bridge, flash floods and landslides there also washed away 30 houses in Bivak Hamlet, Krueng Simpo Village, and 64 houses in Salah Sirong Village. Mr. Nur and Mrs. Sivia are elderly survivors who survived even though their house was washed away by the hydrometeorological disaster.
“We had lived in that house for 30 years, but now it is gone, and we only have our bodies left. It happened the night after maghrib, when the water was getting higher, so we immediately ran to our son-in-law’s house,” recalled Mrs. Sivia.
“The flood was huge, and the bridge was damaged. The residents built a temporary bridge, but it was damaged again just two days ago. I used to sell goods at a grocery store, but since the disaster, I haven’t been able to open it again. The electricity is out and access is cut off,” explained Mrs. Yusnidar, the daughter-in-law of Mr. Nur and Mrs. Sivia.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Receives 1,000 Mowilex Kits for Disaster Response in Sumatra
Dompet Dhuafa, in collaboration with Mowilex—a premium paint brand from PT Mowilex Indonesia—ventured into the difficult terrain of the oil palm forest, visiting the hamlets of Bivak and Gampong Salah Sirong on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). They sought to fulfill their mandate to distribute aid to disaster survivors who are still in need nearly three months after the disaster.
The response was positive. Despite the rain and light fog that had been falling since morning, the residents remained enthusiastic about welcoming the arrival of the Dompet Dhuafa and Mowilex Disaster Management Center (DMC) team.
“The reality after the Sumatra disaster is that conditions have not yet fully recovered. There are still many residents affected by the disaster who are living in vulnerable conditions, with limited access, no electricity, and far from any assistance, especially those who live in remote areas. This is what we need to know together so that solidarity continues to exist among those who care about Sumatra,” said the Head of DMC Dompet Dhuafa, Shofa Qudus.
“Alhamdulillah, this humanitarian aid from Mowilex can continue to strengthen the humanitarian response for survivors who are still in need,” he continued.
Read also: Welcoming Ramadan, Dompet Dhuafa Holds Meugang with Residents at Flood Evacuation Points in Aceh
A humanitarian donation of 1,000 Mowilex Kits was distributed to support the humanitarian response to the floods in Sumatra. The aid, consisting of food and hygiene kits, was distributed in the Bireuen and Aceh Tamiang areas.
In addition, Mowilex ESG Specialist Matthew Nathanael also participated in the distribution of aid in the Bireuen region. He was directly involved in the distribution of aid in Bivak Hamlet, crossing the river using an emergency sling bridge while carrying aid to Gampong Salah Sirong.
He admitted that he carried out this heroic act for the first time without hesitation, as if driven by a strong feeling. “Seeing the situation here, interacting, and hearing stories from survivors, moved me to get involved in distributing the aid directly,” said Matthew.
“I was touched but happy to see the residents who were also happy to receive the Mowilex Kit aid. It feels very appropriate for Mowilex to collaborate with Dompet Dhuafa in this humanitarian response,” he added.
“This assistance is very useful to supplement our supplies for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. We are very grateful that this assistance has reached our village in this remote area,” said Mrs. Yusnidar.
It is hoped that this assistance can meet the basic needs of the affected communities. The trust placed in the assistance we provide is deeply meaningful to them. Continue to support them through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil