JAKARTA —-— Grief still envelops the island of Sumatra due to the recent flash floods. The floods caused enormous material losses and damage to infrastructure. In addition, many people are still in dire need of assistance, such as food, clean water, internet and electricity access, basic necessities, mobile kitchens, and medical services.
In response to this situation, Dompet Dhuafa has initiated a collaboration with several Indonesian musicians to hold a charity concert titled Together for Sumatra at M Bloc Live House in South Jakarta on Monday (December 8). The artists performing on stage include Mohammad Istiqamah Djamad (Bang Is) with Parade Hujan, Vikri Rahmat, Driven by Animals, Indra The Rain, J-Rocks, Skastra, Panji Sakti, Souljah, Haddad Alwi, and Sore.
Before the concert began, Yayat Supriatna, Supervisory Board of Dompet Dhuafa, expressed his deepest gratitude to all attendees for taking the time to attend. He also thanked all parties who had collaborated in making this charity event a success.
“We would also like to thank our partners in this collaboration, the donors, the committee, and the creative industry players. In particular, we would like to thank the musicians who have accompanied us by collaborating on this event,” said Yayat in his speech.
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Yayat said that the gathering was not just for enjoying music. However, it had a greater and nobler purpose, namely to raise funds to ease the burden on disaster survivors affected by the calamity in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.
Furthermore, Yayat said that to date, Dompet Dhuafa has reached more than 44,000 beneficiaries through its Disaster Emergency program. This program is Dompet Dhuafa’s response to disasters, providing mobile kitchens, clean water distribution, basic food packages, baby and elderly care supplies, medical service posts, and WiFi posts.
On the other hand, Director of Resource Mobilization at Dompet Dhuafa, Etika Setiawanti, said that all proceeds from the sale of charity concert tickets will be donated to disaster survivors in Sumatra. In addition, she continued, there will also be an auction of goods at this charity concert.
“All proceeds will be channeled through Dompet Dhuafa to provide humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters affected in West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and Aceh. Alhamdulillah, the total sales and donations from the Bersama Untuk Sumatera charity event amounted to Rp40,075,000. All donations will be distributed for logistical needs and public kitchens in Sumatra and Aceh,” said Etika.
Meanwhile, musician and initiator of this charity concert, Bang Is, explained that this event had to be held because he felt he still had a conscience and responsibility to help the people of Sumatra Island.
“I feel this is my responsibility. I feel this is part of my presence in the community. There is nothing more natural for us to do than to respond,” he said.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Sends 60 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Disaster Survivors in Sumatra
The charity concert, in collaboration with M Bloc Space, was attended by hundreds of residents from various regions. Not only did they sing, but they were also led by Haddad Alwi in offering prayers for the communities affected by the disaster on the island of Sumatra.
“We (M Bloc Space) have a strong sense of solidarity among our team that whatever event we can support for humanitarian causes, natural disasters, we will definitely respond and invite collaboration,” said M Bloc Space Co-Founder Wendi Putranto.
Held from noon until night, the charity event Bersama Untuk Sumatera (Together for Sumatra) successfully generated enthusiasm among the public, who set aside a portion of their income to help disaster survivors on the island of Sumatra. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Reynaldi
Photos: Official Stage ID, High_Iso, Nareend, Senandikayz, Sendvinhsl, Frnklnglnn, Monoisme, Dhika
Editor: Dhika