TAMIANG, ACEH —-— Thin smoke billowed from the Dompet Dhuafa Public Kitchen Post in Kampung Menang Gini, Karang Baru District, Aceh Tamiang. Behind the large pots that were constantly being stirred, Zainab (55) and several other volunteers were busy preparing food. The menu for that day, Saturday (12/13/2025) afternoon, was simple, consisting of rice, tempeh, and sardines. However, the amount was not small. About 500 portions were prepared to be distributed to survivors of flash floods and landslides in Tamiang.
Behind the public kitchen, a building was used as a shelter. There were about 60 residents of Kampung Menang Gini staying there. They were waiting for the water to recede while slowly beginning to clean their homes from the thick mud.
This public kitchen was not only for the refugees staying there. According to Zainab, anyone passing by, whether survivors, volunteers, or local residents, was welcome to stop by and enjoy the food. They were even allowed to ask for additional portions.
For six days now, the Dompet Dhuafa Public Kitchen has been operating and becoming the lifeline for the residents of Menang Gini. Every day, meals are prepared two to three times, each serving around 500 portions. The menu may be simple, but its presence has become the main support for residents who have lost their homes, kitchens, food supplies, and even their spirit due to the flash floods.
Before the community kitchen was established, Zainab and the residents had been cooking with whatever they could find. Remnants of flood-damaged wood were used as makeshift stoves. Earlier still, when road access was still blocked, the residents survived on food that had been swept away by the floodwaters.
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The Dompet Dhuafa Public Kitchen is not only a place to cook, but also a space to gather, share stories, and strengthen one another. As long as this kitchen continues to operate, residents will continue to gather and strengthen each other.
“It’s nice to have a community kitchen like this. It’s joyful, lively, and we can joke around together here. Even though the food is simple, being together makes it enjoyable. There’s no more boredom,” said Zainab with a smile.
According to her, the public kitchen is almost never empty. Even late into the night, residents still gather, joke around, and support each other. As long as there is food and togetherness, the burden feels lighter.
What many people don’t know is that Zainab herself is a flood victim. Her house was not completely destroyed, but the back was severely damaged.
Mud flooded the entire house and has not been cleaned up yet. She lives alone and does not have enough energy to clean up the house. She is also confused about where to dispose of the mud.
Instead of wallowing in sadness, Zainab chose another path. She settled in the evacuation center and devoted herself as a volunteer cook at the Dompet Dhuafa Public Kitchen. She is always enthusiastic about cooking, from morning until night, then spending the night at the evacuation center.
“Let the house be like that for now. The important thing is that we eat. Because that is more important so that we can stay alive,” she said softly.
He admits that he feels stressed when he has to constantly think about the condition of his house. In the public kitchen, he finds both escape and strength. Because the public kitchen is always busy, full of laughter and useful for others.
“It’s nice in a public kitchen like this, it’s lively. Joking around with the residents here,” he added.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Fikri Rozan, a volunteer at Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer Riau, is tasked with delivering food supplies to the public kitchen in Kampung Menang Gini every day. He explained that this area is one of Dompet Dhuafa’s main areas of concern due to the severe impact of flash floods.
Almost all of the settlements in Kampung Menang Gini were threatened by large logs carried by the current from upstream. The floodwaters carried mud and wood with tremendous force.
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However, a boarding school building near the location acted as a barrier. As a result, most of the large trees were stopped and did not completely hit the residents’ houses. Even so, damage was still inevitable. Many residents’ houses were severely damaged by the impact of trees and water.
Amidst the destruction, Dompet Dhuafa’s Public Kitchen was there to serve food. In addition, the presence of Dompet Dhuafa volunteers who came from various regions sparked hope that there was a lot of concern that brought people together.
Friends! We can all play a part. Our help is very important to ensure that the public kitchen continues to operate, food aid remains available, and survivors can survive until they recover. Let’s channel our best donations through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/bangkitsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika